Our Early Years Education BA (Hons) degree is a fast-track route to a career in teaching. The degree can be completed in just two years rather than the traditional three and qualifies you for graduate entry into a PGCE or an alternative qualified teacher status (QTS) programme.

You'll be guaranteed an interview if you choose to pursue a PGCE or QTS course at London Met after you've graduated. London Met has a long history of providing early childhood training and teacher education, as one of the first universities to offer a degree in early childhood studies. London Met recognises that this course is often taken in order to become a teacher in a school, this two-year, accelerated degree programme was developed to support career progression towards that goal.

This two-year long, full honours degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge to become a professional working teacher. This course is an excellent opportunity to join the education workforce in rapid time. You will gain a secure knowledge in all aspects of children and childhood. The course emphasises links between theory and practice, and develops academic skills and knowledge. You'll explore and debate a range of contemporary issues and current policy. This accelerated degree will help you to implement effective practice with children and families, and to act as an advocate for their rights and wellbeing.

The early childhood studies course team includes writers and researchers at the forefront of the field, who are passionately committed to enabling, empowering and inspiring you. You'll learn how to make transformational changes to the lives of children, families and communities.

Assessment

You'll be assessed through a range of methods, based on coursework. These include presentations, portfolios, posters and essays. This two-year accelerated degree will prepare you to apply for an Early Years PGCE with qualified teacher status, which is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

A minimum of three A levels with grades BBC (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
GCSE English and either Maths or science at grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent grade)

Because this course is designed to equip its graduates to progress to a postgraduate programme offering QTS, there is the expectation that applicants possess the qualifications they need for this posgraduate programme before commencing their undergraduate degree.

If you do not hold a GCSE at grade C or above in both Mathematics and a science, you will need to gain this in order to be considered for a PGCE. Students graduating from the degree who hold a GCSE grade C or equivalent in English, Mathematics and a science are guaranteed an interview for a PGCE or equivalent route to QTS at London Met.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Accelerated study

With this accelerated degree you could progress to a PGCE / QTS course after two years rather than three. The course will support your preparation for the skills tests required for a PGCE / QTS course. Students graduating from the degree and who hold a GCSE grade C or equivalent in English, mathematics and a science are guaranteed an interview for a PGCE or equivalent route to QTS at London Met. You may also be able to progress to a PGCE/EYTS course after two years, rather than three. Currently this course is employment based.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2018/19 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time. Year 1 modules include:

Children's Rights, Advocacy and Safeguarding (core, 30 credits)
Global Challenges: Inclusion in Practice (core, 30 credits)
Succeeding in HE: Criticality in Reading, Writing and Argument (core, 30 credits)
The Developing Child (Birth to Three Years) (core, 30 credits)
Working with Children and Preparing for Professional Practice (core, 60 credits)

Year 2 modules include

Action Research for Practitioners: Placement and Project (core, 60 credits)
Curriculum: Syllabus in Practice (core, 30 credits)
Early Years Policy, Issues and Themes (core, 30 credits)
Education and Children's Lives: Social Worlds of Childhood (core, 30 credits)
The Developing Child (Three to Six Years) (core, 30 credits)

After the course

This BA (Hons) Early Years Education is primarily focused on progression to the role of classroom teacher for children aged between three and seven, following subsequent completion of the PGCE Early Years with QTS. However, it also supports those wishing to enter other professional roles within the early childhood sector, including senior roles within nursery settings and advisory roles within local authorities or government departments. As a full honours degree it opens up options for postgraduate study and career development across a number of fields concerned with children and their well-being. Our graduates pursue careers in: