MA Early Childhood Studies

at University of Bolton

The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing works across a range of sectors offering professional and non-professional education and works to balance exposure to subject knowledge, theoretical perspectives and professional/practical skills. This master’s degree is part of a suite of programmes offering a cross-curriculum and multi-professional ethos in the areas of early childhood studies, community development and youth work, and health and social care.
 

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods. You can expect lectures, presentations, seminar discussions, small group workshops, small group tutorials and one-to-one tutorials, and using virtual learning environments (VLE) and e-learning packages. You’ll also need to undertake a significant amount of personal study, including general background reading, preparing for seminar activities, working on assignments and revising for examinations.
 

Assessment methods are also varied, allowing you to develop and demonstrate your learning in a range of ways. For example, assessments may require you to complete essays, reports, presentations, portfolios and dissertation.
 

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Dissertation
• Postgraduate Preparation for Research Design
• Critical Reading and Writing Skills
• Leadership and Innovation
• Equality and Diversity for Human Services
• Contemporary Issues, Policy and Practice
• Childhood in a Global Context
• Early Years Curriculum Development
   

• Normally, you’ll have at least a Lower Second Class (2.2) Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
• We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). 

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £12,950 

The MA Early Childhood Studies offers you the opportunity to study and engage critically with research into the systems and social structures that support children and their families. This programme is also a good option is you’re a practitioner wishing to develop more critical and theoretical insights into early childhood practices.
 

On this programme, you’ll have the chance to develop your critical reflection skills, independent learning and your ability to evaluate your current professional practice.
 

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping stone to enter a range of other careers, and for some of these roles, both relevant experience and/or post graduate study may be required. Some of these roles include:

• Counselling
• Occupational therapy
• Mental health
• Social work
• Teaching and education
• Health promotion
• Mentoring
• Armed forces
• Community support
• Care home management
• Health services management
• Child protection
• Children’s nursing
• Educational psychology
• Speech and language
• Consultancy
• Child psychotherapist