NOTE: This programme has been revised. Students who entered the programme prior to 2021/22 undertake a three year degree and follow the curriculum detailed below. Students entering from 2021/22 undertake a four year degree and follow the curriculum detailed here.

The BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) is a three-year full-time programme leading to the BA (Hons) Degree (Early Years and Childhood Studies). The degree is taught by the Schools of Applied Psychology, Applied Social Studies, and Education with contributions from Music, Drama and Theatre and Occupational Therapy.

This NFQ Level 8 Degree satisfies all the criteria being applied by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in determining whether a pre-school leader can be considered eligible for the higher capitation rate payable under the universal pre-school scheme (ECCE).

To be eligible for the award of the BA (Hons) degree a student will be required to have achieved 180 credits by obtaining 60 credits in each of First, Second and Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies). A student may not register for more than 60 credits in one academic year.

Commencing in 2021/22 the four year BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) will replace the three year BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) degree. This will be implemented on a phased basis starting with First Years in 2021/22. Students who entered First Year in 2021/22 will register for the BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) degree.

Students repeating First Year in 2021/22 may be required to take new modules as prescribed by the participating Schools. Where a student has been granted exemptions due to having passed module(s) in an earlier attempt year, an exemption in any particular module is relevant to the repeat year only where that module is included in the current prescribed programme.

Commencing in 2021/22 the four year BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) will replace the three year BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) degree. This will be implemented on a phased basis starting with First Years in 2021/22. Students who entered First Year in 2021/22 will register for the BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) degree.

Students repeating Second Year in 2022/23 may be required to take new modules as prescribed by the participating Schools. Where a student has been granted exemptions due to having passed module(s) in an earlier attempt year, an exemption in any particular module is relevant to the repeat year only where that module is included in the current prescribed programme.

Second Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not proceeding to Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)

The BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (SS2027) in Year 2 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations. This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy).

Students repeating Second Year in 2022/23 may be required to take new modules as prescribed by the participating Schools. Where a student has been granted exemptions due to having passed module(s) in an earlier attempt year, an exemption in any particular module is relevant to the repeat year only where that module is included in the current prescribed programme.

Only students who have passed the Second University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) and satisfied all other requirements specified will be permitted to register for Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies). Such students must attend the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits in the three core disciplines concerned (20 credits per discipline) in order to be admitted to the Degree Examination.

Programme Requirements

Students take 60 credits as follows:

AP3113 Applied Developmental Psychology (5 credits)
AP3501 Applying Psychological Theory and Reflective Practice to Placement Context (5 credits)
AP3504 Child and Family Health Psychology (5 credits)
AP3514 Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention (5 credits)
ED3009 Advanced Studies in Early Years and Childhood Education (10 credits)
ED3010 Education Placement (10 credits)
SS3403 Social Analysis, Gender and Society (10 credits)
SS3404 Social Research in Early Years and Childhood Studies (10 credits)

Students repeating Third Year in 2023/24 may be required to take new modules as prescribed by the participating Schools. Where a student has been granted exemptions due to having passed module(s) in an earlier attempt year, an exemption in any particular module is relevant to the repeat year only where that module is included in the current prescribed programme.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.
Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies)

The BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement modules (ED3010 and AP3501) in Year 3 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations. This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy).

Students will make up the remaining 15 credits, to a total of 60 credits, by completing ED3326 (10 credits) and choosing one of the following 5 credit AP modules: AP3015 or AP3033 in the following academic year. On successful completion of Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy), students will qualify for a BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy).

Programme Requirements
Students take 60 credits as follows:
AP3113 Applied Developmental Psychology (5 credits)
AP3504 Child and Family Health Psychology (5 credits)
AP3514 Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention (5 credits)
ED3009 Advanced Studies in Early Years and Childhood Education (10 credits)
SS3403 Social Analysis, Gender and Society (10 credits)
SS3404 Social Research in Early Years and Childhood Studies (10 credits)
ED3326 Education Research Report (10 credits)
and one of the following:
AP3015 Forensic Psychology (5 credits)
AP3033 Positive Psychology (5 credits)

Please note: Students who pass AP3501 and fail ED3010 in Year 3 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations will only be required to take ED3326 (10 credits).

Note: Exemptions in relevant modules passed as part of Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) will be carried over to Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy).

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Identify, explore and apply skills required for working with children in early years settings;
• Demonstrate the confidence and competence to work with children and young people;
• Develop and integrate skills commensurate with planning and implementing a research project;
• Critically appraise theory and research in psychology, social studies and education as they relate to childhood and practice in applied settings;
• Critically 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.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BA (Childhood Theory and Policy) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and skills;
• Develop and integrate skills commensurate with planning and implementing a research report;
• Critically display knowledge of ethical issues that may arise in the application of psychology, social studies and education in child-centred research;
• Critically appraise childhood theory and research in psychology, social studies and education;
• Apply theories from Applied Social Studies, Applied Psychology and Education, to critically examine Early Years and Childhood policies nationally and internationally.