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Build a career in childhood services with UWS BA (Hons) Childhood Studies programme.
Throughout this programme, you'll gain an understanding of the issues related to early childhood and services for children and families.
You will learn about the values underpinning children’s services, and the importance of working in partnership with professionals from a range of disciplines. You will consider issues relating to management and leadership of early learning and childcare services.
To develop your practical knowledge, you’ll have the chance to complete two 3-week blocks of work-based experience each year. In Year 3, you will have the option to complete placement in an international setting (currently available in Italy, Spain and Germany).
You will have the chance to apply your knowledge in a professional setting with two 3-week blocks of work-based experience each year. Recent student placements were located in local authority establishments and private providers.
In Year 3, there is the opportunity to gain experience abroad, with students having worked in Italy and Spain in previous years.
National Student Survey (NSS) 2023
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page for information on our different entry requirements, including country-specific details for EU and non-EU qualifications.
Applicants who do not meet the entry criteria, but hold similar childcare qualifications together with relevant work experience, are encouraged to contact us for advice on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for entry to second year.
All applicants will be interviewed prior to being offered a place on the course.
Successful applicants who gain a place on this course will need to register on the PVG Scheme, managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. An application form will be sent from the University once you have accepted your offer. The fee for joining the scheme is £59.
Visit the Disclosure Scotland website for more information on the PVG scheme.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from english language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
The BA Childhood Studies includes:
Guest speakers will help to further improve your understanding of the subject. Recent speakers have included Professor Li Li of Kunming University, who provided details on international perspectives of early years provision in China. Sue Robson of Roehampton University addressed creativity in the early years.
Through your studies and work-based learning opportunities, you will learn about health and well-being, social justice and equality, holistic child development and develop your self-reflection skills.
Leadership and teamwork skills are developed in a variety of early learning and childcare settings. You will also reflect on how to effectively support children’s communication and early literacy skills.
Through your studies and work-based learning opportunities, you will learn more about management and leadership skills in an early years setting.
You will explore multi-agency working and the importance of providing effective integrated services. You will have opportunities to promote creativity across the curriculum.
International policies and practices of early education and childcare are studied. You will be introduced to qualitative research methods and undertake a research project. There are opportunities to undertake an international placement.
The Honours year supports you to develop specialist knowledge and practice in an area of your own interest. You will also deepen your knowledge of the core themes of theory, research and practice through undertaking a research study and dissertation.
You will have opportunities to explore inter-professional working through asset based approaches to supporting families. You will explore a range of pedagogical approaches to facilitating children’s play, learning and development.
The programme will be delivered using a blend of learning and teaching strategies. These include use of the UWS virtual learning environment (Moodle), Interactive Whiteboards, online tutor/student led discussions.
Lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, group-work, role-play, presentations, workshops, problem based learning and work related learning will be used to develop student learning.
At Level 10, the programme will be delivered partially online, utilising a blended learning format of class sessions, tutorials and online activities. Throughout the programme learning and assessment will have a work-based focus.
This course also gives you the option of taking a language module, which can count towards your degree. These modules cover multiple languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. The cost of your language module is included in the tuition fees.
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
BA (Hons) Childhood Studies graduates have gained employment in integrated childcare services with children under five years and out-of-school care. They have also gained employment in project work, offering support for children and their families in roles such as family support workers, early years practitioners, and NHS community nursery nurses.
Further study towards Graduate Diploma in Childhood Practice qualifications, depending on experience, is possible. This enables registration with SSSC as Lead Practitioner/Manager.
Graduates may also be eligible to apply for a range of postgraduate programmes, including Initial Teacher Education (Primary), Social Work and Psychology.
“The placement opportunities within my course provided me with real experience in the workplace to support my future career development. They allow me to put the knowledge I have gained in the class into practice.”
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£15,500 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£2,580 per module (20 credits)
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£15,500 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£2,580 per module (20 credits)
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASAll UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2025/26 entry is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2025. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.