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University of Derby

BSc (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up)

Course Title

BSc (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up)

Course Type

Top-Up

Course Level

Undergraduate

Study Method

Distance Learning

Start Date

September / January / May

Course Duration

12 months

Awarded & Delivered By

University of Derby
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Course Description

BSc (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up) degree provides a comprehensive exploration of sustainable development, inclusion, and leadership within early childhood education. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate the values underpinning creativity, therapeutic approaches, and sustainable practices in childhood. This programme is particularly suited for those who wish to work in education, social care, or community-based roles, and for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of how children experience transition, change, and the challenges of inequality in society.
Our teaching staff combine academic expertise with professional practice, ensuring that what you learn is both current and relevant to today’s educational and social contexts. You will benefit from structured online learning, including one or two virtual classrooms per trimester, which can be accessed live or downloaded for flexible study. With dedicated support from Personal Tutors and Online Learner Advisors, you will be guided to balance your academic commitments with professional and personal responsibilities. The pace of study is adaptable, with options for standard or accelerated learning, allowing you to tailor your study plan to suit your circumstances.
Through your modules, you will critically appraise theories of sustainable development, inclusive practice, and leadership in early childhood settings. You will explore how multiagency professionals support children and families, evaluate strategies for successful transitions, and examine approaches for children with special educational needs and disabilities. These outcomes are essential for those aspiring to leadership roles in education, social care, or policy, as they foster a deep understanding of ethics, social justice, and education for sustainability. The course is assessed entirely through coursework, including essays, reports, presentations, and group projects, ensuring that you graduate with both academic knowledge and practical skills to make a meaningful impact in your field.

Course Content

This course supports your development of early years study, synthesising theory and practice in an applied and critical manner. The course is structured into five key modules

Core modules

This module explores creativity, therapeutic practice, and sustainability in children’s development, linking deep learning and engagement with nature, surroundings, and geographies. It equips students with critical awareness of creative growth in play, community, and home, while examining economic, social, and political influences on freedom, risk, and play opportunities.
This module critically examines transitions and changes in young children’s lives, exploring reasons for these shifts and strategies to support them. It analyses how varied contexts and cultural constructions of childhood shape transitional experiences. Key themes include relationships, identity, and belonging, with emphasis on the role of families, communities, and multiagency collaboration in supporting children through change.
This module critically examines values and attitudes surrounding special educational needs and disability, encouraging reflection on current practice. It explores the complex nature of individual needs and the strategies used across multi‑agency teams. Emphasis is placed on creative approaches to fostering inclusive environments.
This module encourages students to reflect on their professional and academic journey in Early Childhood Studies, developing critical thinking and reflection skills. It synthesizes academic learning, practice-based experience, and personal growth to support future professional practice. Key issues for early years practitioners and leaders are explored, including the challenges they face and the skills needed to sustain innovative practice and social responsibility.
This module allows students to apply their knowledge of childhood in an independent research project on a chosen field of study. It supports them through design, ethics, planning, and writing, with key lectures at different stages of the research journey. Students can explore an area of interest in depth, guided by a supervisor, linking the project to future careers, current practice, or further postgraduate study and research.

Study Method

The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.
If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.

Should you decide to study on the accelerated rate you should ensure that you have the capacity to fully engage with your studies and achieve the best grades and final award, you will need to balance approximately 40 hours of study per week alongside your professional and personal life and commitments.

If you do choose the accelerated rate of study during the enrolment process, a member of the academic team will contact you to discuss with you the level of commitment involved with this pace of study.

It may be useful to consider studying one module at the standard rate of study before deciding whether to then increase to the accelerated rate of study.

There will be 1/2 virtual classrooms over the 10 week trimester and if you are unable to attend you will be able to download the session to view in your own time.

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Entry Requirements

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This degree programme has intakes in September, January and May. Click the Enrol Now button and share your information so that one of our Academic Advisors will get in touch with you promptly.

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Progression

Upon completing the BSc (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up), you will be able to progress directly into:

Business Management
  • Blended Learning, Distance Learning
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International MBA (Top-Up)

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Course Fees

Please get in touch with us to get the most up-to-date course fee for this programme.

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Apply now to embark on your academic journey and unlock endless opportunities! Join our vibrant community of scholars and leaders, and pursue your passion with an internationally recognised British qualification.


Click Apply Now to start your application for the BSc (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up) programme today.

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