Early Years and Childhood Studies

Early years and childhood studies is a discipline that takes the first years of life seriously as a period of fundamental significance for development, wellbeing, and future flourishing. It brings together developmental psychology, sociology, education, social policy, and ethics to build a rich and rounded understanding of how children grow, learn, and are supported in the world, and it prepares graduates for professional practice in a wide range of settings where children's lives are at stake.

At Manchester Metropolitan University this three-year, full-time BA provides a rich and varied understanding of how children develop, learn, and are supported in different environments, from early years settings and schools to families and wider communities. You will study child development theory, the social and cultural contexts of childhood, early years policy and curriculum frameworks, safeguarding, and the research approaches used to understand and improve outcomes for young children. The programme develops both your academic understanding of childhood and the professional competencies needed to work effectively with children and families in a range of contexts.

Graduates of early years and childhood studies go on to careers in early years education and childcare, primary school support, children's social care, family support services, health visiting, community development, and the third sector. Many progress into teaching through a postgraduate teaching qualification, and the degree provides a strong foundation for professional training in social work, health visiting, or child psychology. Others move into policy, research, and management roles within organisations concerned with children's wellbeing and education.

The demand for qualified professionals in early years and childhood settings remains consistently high, and the degree opens paths into both frontline practice and the leadership and management roles that shape the quality of provision for young children.