Early Childhood

Entry requirements

A minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.

Please note that a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formally the Criminal Records Bureau – CRB) is required for students where they are required to visit settings other than their own.

Months of entry

February, October

Course content

The postgraduate programme in Early Childhood is designed for early years teachers/educators and others with a personal and a professional interest in the field of early childhood studies. The programme offers an opportunity for engagement with the key theories, concepts and ideas in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

This programme offers a contemporary, research informed and interdisciplinary perspective on Early Childhood through the lenses of psychology, sociology, education and policy. Students will enrich their understanding of young children’s development and wellbeing, engaging with current research at the forefront of developmental psychology and investigating these concepts through systematic critical analysis. International perspectives from different socio-cultural contexts will be shared to explore the different ways children make meaning and the links between cultural practices and values and children’s learning experiences. Children’s rights, particularly participation rights are examined from the perspectives of policy, advocacy and practice including the implications of the UNCRC in national and international contexts.

This Masters course also has PGCert and PGDip entry routes available , should you be interested in exploring these options please contact the School of Education (schoolofeducation@hope.ac.uk). However, please note the postgraduate loan is only available for the full masters (180 credits).

Information for international students

Possess a degree from an overseas institution that is judged by the Registrar or Nominee to be equivalent to an upper second class honours degree from a UK University.

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages.

Fees and funding

Visit our Fees and Funding page for further information.