Early Childhood Studies

Early childhood studies examines the years from birth to around eight, a period that developmental science consistently identifies as among the most consequential of the entire human life course. The experiences, relationships, and environments of early childhood shape cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional development in ways that have lasting effects on wellbeing and achievement. The discipline brings together developmental psychology, sociology, education, and social policy to build an evidence-based understanding of what children need and how practitioners and systems can best support them.

At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year full-time programme asks searching questions about children's wellbeing and how it is affected by factors including digital technologies, race, culture, and globalisation, exploring the first eight years of life in all their complexity and diversity. You will develop a rigorous theoretical grounding in child development alongside the reflective and professional skills needed to work with children in a range of contexts. The programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you substantial professional and international experience within the degree.

Graduates of early childhood studies programmes work as early years practitioners, family support workers, children's centre professionals, and local authority early years advisers. The analytical and reflective skills the degree develops are also valued in policy, inspection, research, and third-sector organisations working with children and families. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in education, social work, early years policy, or child health, or to initial teacher training, using the degree as a platform for a career focused on giving children the best start in life.