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

The BA (Hons) (Early Years and Childhood Studies) is a four-year full-time programme. The level 8 degree is taught by the Schools of Applied Psychology, Applied Social Studies, and Education with contributions from Music, Drama and Occupational Therapy and Sport Studies.

This programme is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review 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.

To be eligible for the award of the BA (Hons) degree a student will be required to have achieved 240 credits by obtaining 60 credits in each of First, Second, Third and Fourth Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies). A student may not register for more than 60 credits in one academic year.

In First Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies), students study prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.

Programme Requirements

Students take 60 credits as follows:

AP1022 Social Psychology (5 credits)
AP1023 Lifespan Development (5 credits)
AP1123 Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology (5 credits)
AP1504 Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals in Early Years (5 credits)
ED1010 Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector (5 credits)
ED1012 Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices (5 credits)
ED1015 Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy (5 credits)
ED1016 Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety (5 credits)
MU1012 Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childcare Settings (5 credits)
SS1019 Children's Social and Cultural Worlds (5 credits)
SS1020 Social Policy and Society (10 credits)

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.

No student may register for Second Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) until he/she has passed the First University Examination in Early Years and Childhood Studies, except on the basis of previous qualifications (see under 'entry requirements' above). Students who have been admitted to Second Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) must satisfactorily attend the prescribed modules, to the value of 60 credits, in the three core disciplines in order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies).

Programme Requirements

Students take 60 credits as follows:

AP2507 Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project (10 credits)
DR2029 Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings (5 credits)
ED2004 The Curriculum in Special Needs Education (5 credits)
ED2007 Physical Activity and Childhood Development (5 credits)
SS2032 Practice Preparation and Placement (25 credits)
SS2401 Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues (5 credits)
OT2011 Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood (5 credits)

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.

Second Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not proceeding to Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (from 2023/24 onwards)

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 (SS2032) in Year 2 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy). This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree.

Students will make up the remaining 25 credits, to a total of 60 credits, by taking the following modules: SS2004, SS2007, SS2021, SS2026 and SS2211 in the following academic year. On successful completion of Second Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy), students then progress to Third Arts (Childhood Theory and Policy).

Programme Requirements
Students take 60 credits as follows:

AP2507 Early Years and Childhood Health & Wellbeing Project (10 credits)
DR2029 Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings (5 credits)
ED2004 The Curriculum in Special Needs Education (5 credits)
ED2007 Physical Activity and Childhood Development (5 credits)
OT2011 Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood (5 credits)
SS2004 Personal Lives and Family Policy (5 credits)
SS2007 Penal Policy and Practice (5 credits)
SS2021 Critical Perspectives on Irish Health Policy (5 credits)
SS2026 Special Education and Disability: Principles, Policies and Practices (5 credits)
SS2211 Mixed Economy of Welfare and Personal Social Services II (5 credits)
SS2401 Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues (5 credits)

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

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 disciplines concerned (20 credits per discipline) in order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies).

Programme Requirements

Students take 60 credits as follows:

AP3502 Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence (10 credits)
AP3504 Child and Family Health Psychology: Infants, toddlers and children (5 credits)
ED3012 Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting (5 credits)
ED3013 Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice (5 credits)
ED3015 Placement Year 3 (20 credits)
SS3052 Qualitative Research Methods with Children (5 credits)
SS3053 Diversity and Gender in Childhood (10 credits)

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.

BA (Childhood Theory and Policy) – alternative pathway for students not completing Third Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) (from 2024/25 onwards)

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 (ED3015) in Year 3 of the BA (Early Years and Childhood Studies) programme over the Summer and Autumn Supplemental Examinations. Such students may opt instead to register for the BA (Hons) (Childhood Theory and Policy). This degree pathway leads to an academic and not a practice degree.

Students will make up the remaining 20 credits, to a total of 60 credits, by completing ED3014 (20 credits). 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:

AP3502 Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence (10 credits)
AP3504 Child and Family Health Psychology: Infants, toddlers and children (5 credits)
ED3012 Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting (5 credits)
ED3013 Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice (5 credits)
ED3014 Comprehensive Education Research Project (20 credits)
SS3052 Qualitative Research Methods with Children (5 credits)
SS3053 Diversity and Gender in Childhood (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.

Only students who have passed the Third University Examination in Arts (Early Years and Childhood Studies) and satisfied all other requirements specified will be permitted to register for Fourth 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 in order to be admitted to the Degree Examination.

Programme Requirements

Students take 60 credits in total.

Students take 40 credits of core modules as follows:

AP4501 Applied Quantitative Research Methods (5 credits)
AP4502 Applied Developmental Psychology: Infants, toddlers and children (10 credits)
AP4503 Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment and Intervention (5 credits)
ED4001 Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Education (5 credits)
ED4002 Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education (5 credits)
SS4002 Working with Children and Families (5 credits)
SS4003 Group Dynamics and Teamwork (5 credits)

Students choose one module to the value of 20 credits from the following:

AP4504 Early Years Research Report (20 credits)
ED4003 Early Years Research Report (20 credits)
SS4004 Early Years Research Report (20 credits)

Students will undertake an Early Years Research Report (20 credits) with either the School of Education, Applied Psychology or Applied Social Studies. Students will be allocated for supervision in equal numbers across the three Schools in consultation with staff members.

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:

• Critically examine historical and current Early Years and Childhood policies and practices nationally and internationally.
• Develop knowledge of developmental aspects of children from a holistic perspective – regarding health, care and well-being of young children.
• Critically appraise theory and research in early years and demonstrate an ability to translate this knowledge into practice in contexts of diversity with children, parents, local communities, and other professionals and institutions.
• Develop and integrate skills commensurate with planning and implementing a research project.
• Critically display knowledge of the professional and ethical issues that may arise in child-centred research and practice.
• Identify, explore and apply skills required for reflexive, rights based and inclusive, anti-bias practice with children and parents in early years settings.
• Demonstrate an understanding of pedagogy and of differing curricular perspectives in the early years.
• Develop appropriate understanding on the evaluation and application of theories and methods of early identification, prevention and intervention within wider social sciences perspectives.
• Develop appropriate learning opportunities based on an understanding of children's strategies for learning and encouraging children's expression through languages including play, art, music, drama, storytelling etc.
• Demonstrate the confidence and competence to work with children and young people as an early years care and education professional.
• Demonstrate the confidence and competence for Teamwork, Leadership and Management in ECEC contexts.
  

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 in child-centred research and practice;
• Critically appraise childhood theory and research in psychology, social studies and education;
• Demonstrate an understanding of pedagogy and of differing curricular perspectives in the early years;
• Develop knowledge of developmental aspects of children from a holistic perspective – regarding health, care and well-being of young children;
• Apply theories from Applied Social Studies, Applied Psychology and Education, to critically examine Early Years and Childhood policies nationally and internationally.