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Early Childhood and Education (Top-up) BA(Hons)

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Start Dates

20 September 2027

Duration

1 year full-time

Recent Awards For Excellence

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About this course

Overview

Why choose Huddersfield for this course?

  • Build on your existing qualifications and explore early childhood education in a global context.
  • Deepen your understanding of pedagogy and policy, and carry out your own investigative project.
  • Gain insights into international approaches to early education and develop skills for work in schools, NGOs, or further study.

If you want to build on your previous early childhood studies and deepen your understanding of how young children learn and develop, this one year top-up course helps you grow your knowledge, confidence and professional insight. You will explore early childhood education from national and international perspectives and consider how different cultures, policies and practices shape children’s lives.

You will learn from experienced tutors who are passionate about supporting your academic and professional development. Through lectures, seminars and research-focused activities, you will explore theories of play, pedagogy, wellbeing, child development and inclusive practice. You will also undertake a major investigative project, giving you the chance to research an aspect of early childhood education that interests you.

This course also supports your next steps. Many students progress into further study, leadership roles in early years settings, or specialist areas within education, health or community work.

Who can apply?

Entry Requirements

All entrants are normally required to hold an intermediate level qualification (gained by examination) or equivalent. Broadly such qualifications can include:

  • Higher National Diploma (or equivalent)
  • An initial teaching qualification from a recognised teacher education institution
  • Successful completion of a Higher Education qualification with 120 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits (or equivalent)

Preference is for an appropriate subject such as Education or Early Childhood. However, the basic criterion will be a person's ability to benefit from the programme, so consideration will be given to holders of alternative recognised degrees or diplomas.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

What will you learn?

Course Details

This module will help you to learn how to design and conduct a final year project. It does this by exploring a range of research and design approaches, strategies and methods. The module helps you to design a project that utilises your knowledge and abilities, carry it out and evaluate its outcomes. Your final year project will focus on an empirical research, policy or practice development, documentary research, policy analysis, entrepreneurship activity, or other options in negotiation with your tutor. The module guides you towards gaining a thorough, critical understanding of project planning and evaluation, research protocols, methods, ethics and ways of doing data analysis. By the end of the module you’ll be confident and capable of designing your own rigorous and valid project.

This module allows you to pursue your academic and work-related interests and to demonstrate the breadth of knowledge, understanding, and strengths that you have developed during your degree studies. You will review critical understanding of project planning and evaluation, research protocols, methods, ethics, and analysis. You will be supported in the selection of a focus for your final project, in the development of an application for ethical approval, and at each stage of your study. Your final year project will focus on an empirical research, policy or practice development, documentary research, policy analysis, entrepreneurship activity, or other options in negotiation with your tutor. This module is your opportunity to work together with a supervisor to confidently and rigorously undertake a valid project.

You will also choose 2 optional modules in this year. The current optional modules are:

This module seeks to develop your understanding of theories of leadership, management and the organisation of professional practice. You’ll have the opportunity to explore relevant theory and practical factors such as mentoring arrangements, group structures, staff development and the leadership of change in professional practice. Assessment typically involves the development of an annotated bibliography and a poster presentation.

This module explores the context of and responses to a range of social, emotional and mental health needs in educational settings. Your understanding of different techniques that can be used to promote positive social, emotional and mental health plus behaviours for learning will be developed. You will explore causes of social, emotional and mental health needs, and look at how these can lead to dysregulated behaviour as well as the way that emotional and other difficulties can be recognised in one-to-one, small group encounters and whole class contexts. You will also consider theoretical aspects of supporting positive social, emotional and mental health, alongside behaviour management.

Through this module you’ll explore different aspects of the health and well-being of children and young people and become equipped to evaluate the wider public health agenda, national trends and supporting legislation. Assessment is typically via research, presentation, discussion and written evaluation.

For more information on when and how we update our modules please see the ‘Legal Information’ section below.

Teaching and Assessment

Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.

Where could this lead you?

Your Career

This course will enable you to consider a varied range of careers in early childhood education contexts, including school's businesses and the voluntary sector.

Previous graduates have progressed as childcare workers, primary and early years teachers and teaching assistants, special needs support roles, play therapist and social support workers.

85-90% of graduates from this subject who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating.

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 22/23, UK domiciled graduates, other activities excluded.

Education is so broad—you learn about children from diverse backgrounds and see how society’s norms shape families. It opened my eyes to how privilege impacts opportunities and inspired me to think about challenging inequalities so everyone can succeed.

- Ainaa Imran
Second Year, Childhood Student.

How much will it cost?

Fees and Finance

£10,050 per year

This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2027/28.

Modules credits can range from 15 to 60, dependent on the content of the module. Read more about total credits required for a range of degrees, to allow you to calculate the potential total cost.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For detailed information please visit our fees page.

£17,600 per year

This is the tuition fee for 2026/27 entry. Tuition fees for 2027/28 will be published once the information becomes available.

This information is for international students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2026/27.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy. 

For detailed information please visit our international fees and funding page.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Discover what additional help you may be eligible for to support your University studies.

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Tuition Fee Loans

Find out more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement tuition fees loans available to eligible undergraduate students.

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What’s included in your fee?

We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.

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If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.

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What does the University offer?

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Our purpose built primary teaching room is in the

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Practise your skills in our purpose-built primary

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Train in a realistic classroom designed for future

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Education at Huddersfield

Curious about studying Education at Huddersfield? Hear directly from our students and staff about the course, the community, and how it prepares you for a career that makes a difference.

Why I’m Studying at Huddersfield

Hear from Joseph Tymon, a student on our Primary Education Studies (Non-QTS) Accelerated Degree BA(Hons) at the University of Huddersfield. If you’re passionate about making a difference or exploring routes into teaching, this gives insight into life at Huddersfield and our Primary Education courses.

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Why Hud

Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.

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Explore Huddersfield

Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.

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Your Student Experience

Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.

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Budget Friendly

Huddersfield is not only one of the friendliest towns, it also offers you a lower cost of living than most big cities. This means you could have more money to spend, making your uni experience even better. On campus you’ll also find plenty of facilities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.

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Sustainability Matters

We’re committed to sustainability and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our plan includes reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and improving wellbeing through sustainable buildings. We’re investing in digital solutions, low-impact travel, and embedding sustainability into teaching and research, investing over £1m in carbon reduction.

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Committed to Your Future

Since 2015, we’ve invested £198 million to create spaces where you can learn, collaborate and thrive. We’re continuously investing in our campus with your wellbeing in mind—adding features that make our buildings healthier, more supportive and better places for you to succeed.

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