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4. Early Years and Childhood Studies

About This Course

Fact File

• Title

  Early Years and Childhood Studies

• Code

  CK111

• College

  Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

• Duration

  4 Years

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time

• Qualifications

  BA (Hons)

• Fees

  Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Entry Requirements

  2 x H5, 4 x O6/H7; O6/H7 in another language. See Requirements for full details.

• CAO Points

  2023: 347

Course Outline

This was one of the first degree courses of its kind in Ireland and pioneered the development of Early Years and Childhood Studies as a distinct speciality with distinctive careers.

This four-year degree will expose you to interdisciplinary perspectives from the Schools of Applied Psychology, Applied Social Studies and Education, with input from Music, Drama and Theatre Studies; Occupational Therapy; and Physical Education and Sport Studies.

The curriculum places emphasis on academic theory, research skills and professional and reflective practice. It includes a broad range of perspectives on childhood, the child in society, child development, early years care and education, and child health.

Supervised work-based placements in diverse childhood-related settings form an integral part of this course. You will undertake a 13-week placement in both Years 2 and 3 of the course and a 2-week on-site placement in Year 4. The professional practice placements provide opportunities for you to apply the theories you have learned, and to experience working with children under the guidance of expert practitioners.

This programme is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (Expert reviewers of Level 7 and Level 8 degree programmes for the Early Years and Care Sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify, explore, and apply skills required in working with children within early years settings.
• Demonstrate the confidence and competence to work with children and young people.
• Develop and integrate the skills to plan and implement a research project.
• Critically appraise theory and research in psychology, social studies, and education as they
  relate to childhood and practice in applied settings.
• Display knowledge of the professional and ethical issues that may arise in the application of psychology, social studies and education in child-centred research and practice in a variety of contexts.
• Apply theories from applied social studies, applied psychology, and education, to critically examine early years and childhood policies and practices nationally and internationally.

Modules Year 1 (All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.)

• AP1022 Socal Psychology 
• AP1023 Lifespan Development 
• AP1123 Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology
• AP1504 Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals 
• ED1010 Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector
• ED1012 Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices 
• ED1015 Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy
• ED1016 Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety
• MU1012 Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childhood Settings
• SS1019 Children's Social and Cultural Worlds
• SS1020 Social Policy and Society (10 Credits)

Year 1 provides a foundation through class-based lectures and tutorials in 11 modules and includes professional workshops.

Year 2* builds on Year 1 through exploration of key perspectives and skills preparation Semester 1 across 7 modules; You will have your first professional placement in Semester 2. Modules include the following areas:

Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project; Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings; The Curriculum in Special Needs Education; Physical Activity and Childhood Development; Practice Preparation and Placement Year 2; Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues; Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood.

Year 3* includes your final professional placement in Semester 1; and the  interrogation of critical issues in Semester 2 across 7 modules including the following areas:

Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence; Child and Family Health Psychology; Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting; Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice; Placement Year 3; Qualitative Research Methods with children; Diversity and Gender in Childhood.

Year 4 includes advanced inquiry and critical reflection of Early Years and Childhood Studies in 7 modules and the development and demonstration of key research skills together with a Research report and modules in the following areas:

Applied Quantitative Research Methods; Applied Developmental Psychology; Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention; Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Experience; Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education; Working with Children and Families; Group Dynamics and Team work; Early Years Research Report.

*You will undertake a 13-week placement in both Years 2 and 3 of this course and a 2-week on-site placement in Year 4.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Expected Practical Hours

You will undertake a 13-week placement in both Years 2 and 3 of the course and a 2-week on-site placement in Year 4.

Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on this programme.

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May.  Not all modules will have formal examinations.  Many modules use other types of assessment including portfolio work, research projects and essays, as well as group and individual presentations.

Why Choose This Course

There is growing recognition that Early Years and Childhood Studies is a distinctive specialty with its own career pathways. This was one of the first degree courses of its kind in Ireland and has pioneered the development of this speciality.

It will offer you the opportunity to explore some of the most fundamental questions concerning children, young people and their families in contemporary society in Ireland and beyond.

It attracts both school-leavers, mature students, and international students and is designed for people working towards careers in services for children, young people and their families. It caters to the demand for highly qualified early years and childhood professionals, while also developing future researchers in the field.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

You will undertake a 13-week placement in both Years 2 and 3 of the course and a 2-week on-site placement in Year 4.

Erasmus Exchange partnership with UIC Barcelona and with the University of Adger

Students have an opportunity to complete their placement with UIC Barcelona, or with the University of Adger in Norway, as part of the Practice Preparation and Placement module in Year 2 of the programme. As places are limited, students undergo an interview and selection process and successful candidates are selected. 

Skills and Careers Information

A number of pathways from the degree provide opportunities in the following fields:

• early years care and education professional
• national school teaching
• social work
• youth and community work
• speech and language therapy
• play specialist
• guidance counselling

Graduates have secured employment as managers of early childhood care and education centres, supervisors and staff, play therapists, primary school teachers, social workers, youth and community workers and disability nurses, among other roles.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate entry requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

English	Irish	Other Language
O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7

• Mature applicants: Applicants apply directly through the CAO, include a statement of interest and must also apply separately to sit the Mature Student Admissions Pathway (MSAP) exam. See our Mature Student Entry page for more information. 
• International applicants should visit the International Education website.
• Other qualifications: EU/EFTA/UK students presenting an alternative school-leaving qualification (e.g. A-levels or International Baccalaureate) or QQI/FE course should visit our EU/EFTA/UK Applicants pages for further information. 

Student Garda Vetting

All students in this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.

Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).

All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there. 

Fees and Costs

How Do I Apply