Subjects taught by student teachers
- Gaeilge
- French
- German
- Maths
- Spanish
- Italian
Find out more about this programme on the Admissions Office website.
Subjects taught by student teachers
- Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Agricultural Science
- Maths
Find out more about this programme on the Admissions Office website.
For further information please see our frequently asked questions document: BSc(Ed) Frequently Asked Questions
Subjects taught by student teachers
- PE
- English
- French
- Gaeilge
- History
- Maths
Find out more about this programme on the Admissions Office website.
The BA (Hons) in Early Years and Childhood Studies programme has an exciting Erasmus Exchange partnership with UIC Barcelona.
The degree programme benefits from this Erasmus Exchange in the following ways:
- To help students adapt to the requirements of the EU-wide labour market.
- To enable students to develop specific skills, including language skillls, and to improve understanding of economic and social culture of the country concerned in the context of acquiring work experience.
- To promote cooperation between higher education institutions and enterprises.
- To contribute to the development of a pool of well-qualified, open-minded and internationally experienced young people as future professionals.
Students have an opportunity to complete their placement with UIC Barcelona as part of the placement element of SS2032 Practice Preparation and Placement. As places are limited, students undergo an interview and selection process and successful candidates are selected.
Programme Overview
The BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) is a four-year full-time programme leading to the BA (Hons) Degree (Early Years and Childhood Studies). As an Early Years and Childhood Studies student, you will be exposed 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. Our curriculum places emphasis on academic theory, research skills and professional and reflective practice. Students will be encouraged to build on their unique backgrounds and experiences as they develop personally, professionally and academically across the four years of the programme.
Why take this degree?
EYCS takes a multi-disciplinary approach and offers a fascinating and stimulating course of academic study. You will develop your understanding of childhood, discovering how children develop, learn and think. You'll explore the importance of meeting children's needs and how these needs can be met. You'll consider the challenges and opportunities in children's services, and look at childhood from a range of perspectives. We'll encourage you to use your own experiences in early years to enhance your knowledge and develop your understanding of early childhood.
A range of local and international perspectives are taken including: children's rights, children's health and well-being, pedagogical and curriculum approaches, diversity and inclusion. The degree draws on a range of disciplines such as psychology, sociology and social policy, education and health. We emphasise the links between theory and practice and value the development of professional as well as academic skills and knowledge.
What will I experience?
The curriculum content includes academic theory, research skills and professional and reflective practice. It focuses on a broad range of perspectives on childhood, the child in society, child development, child psychology, early years care and education, and child health.
A key feature of this programme is its emphasis on practical knowledge and the development of professional skills. 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 take place in various settings (e.g....) and provide opportunities for you to apply the theories you have learned, and to experience working with children under the guidance of expert practitioners.
The course team includes lecturers and researchers who are strongly committed to enabling, empowering and enthusing students to make transformational changes to their own lives and to the lives of children, families and communities.
CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS
The Cohort PhD in Education is a full-time cohort-based programme which runs for 48 months from the date of first registration for the programme. We currently have twenty students registered in Year 3 of the Cohort PhD. The programme involves undertaking four modules spread over three years (2 modules in year 1; 1 in year 2 and 1 in year 3) as well as substantial supervised thesis research for the duration of the degree. The seminar-based modules involve reading, writing, discussion and assignments. They are structured to enable participants develop a deep understanding of research methods linked to contemporary issues in education. Modules run on Saturdays each year over the course of the PhD (9 Saturdays in first year, 6 Saturdays in second year and 3 Saturdays in third year). There is also a one-week summer school at the end of years 1 and 3.
Prospective applicants can contact the School of Education to discuss programme details at either of the following e-mail address: Anita Cronin a.cronin@ucc.ie or Claire Dooley c.dooley@ucc.ie: Tel: 353 (0)21 - 490 2467.
Applications may be made online through UCC's application system.
Course Code: CKH78
If you are interested in pursuing a research degree in the School of Education, please note:
(1) Prospective applicants need to familiarise themselves with the research expertise of School of Education staff. A list of academic staff in the School of Education is available here.
(2) Prospective applicants who approach the School will be encouraged to submit a CV and a 500 word outline of a research area. The Research Outline Template is available here: Research Outline Form
(3) The Head of School will review the outline and decide if the applicant should be invited to submit a more substantial (1500 word) proposal, using the Higher Degree by Thesis Proposal Form. The form and success criteria are available here: Thesis Proposal with Criteria
(4) A subcommittee of the School of Education and Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) will review any full proposal received in addition to which an external opinion might also be sought (particularly in the case of interdisciplinary areas). An interview may be suggested.
(5) On acceptance, the Head of School will nominate a supervisor or supervisors, following which the student will be invited to submit an application to the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) and the formal application process begins.
(6) If not successful, the Head of School will communicate with the prospective student.
(7) When an application comes directly through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC), steps 1-6 will be followed as appropriate.
