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BA: Childhood Studies

The BA (Hons): Childhood Studies degree programme, delivered in partnership with Queen Margaret University, is designed to provide a rigorous, academic area of study, enabling you to develop the necessary skills and understanding to progress in your career. You will graduate with the knowledge of the multi-disciplinary nature of working with young children and their families, as well as the importance of quality partnerships with parents and other agencies. Central to the degree programme is an interdisciplinary approach, that is underpinned by engagement with social justice, and a focus on children’s rights, equality, and inclusive working with families and communities. Theory and practice are combined to ensure that you reflect appropriately on your experience and draw upon recent and relevant research to evaluate and drive towards improvement.

Course information

Level:

SCQF Level 9

Study Mode:

  • Full time

Location:

  • Dunfermline

Start Date:

Sept 2025

Duration:

  • One year BA: Childhood Studies
  • Two years for BA (Hons): Childhood Studies
  • Full-Time

Who is this course for?

This course is for those hoping to continue their studies within childhood studies and obtain there BA, with the opportunity to continue onto an Honours year if successful in achieving your BA.

What skills will I learn?

  • Teamwork
  • Collaborative skills
  • Time management
  • Leadership skills
  • Communication skills
  • Confidence
  • Adaptability
  • Resilience

What will I study?

Some of the units you will study include:

SCQF Level 9 study

  • Early Years Placement
  • The Pedagogy of Play
  • Interdisciplinary Approaches to Supporting Children and Families
  • Supporting Literacy and Numeracy in Early Childhood
  • Research Methods

Teaching and learning strategies are designed to facilitate your ability to understand and develop connections between theory and practice. This is achieved by:

  • Core placement components which immerse you in early years practice
  • Curriculum design and content that encourages the integration of theory and practice
  • High quality and regular contact between you and your tutors
  • Integrated study in which you share and reflect on theory and practice in informal ways during class time and formal ways during assignments
  • Assignments that support you in building your interpersonal skills through a combination of individual and group work
  • Modules will be delivered via workshops or seminars, with regular one-to-one contact with your tutors, as well as reflective group work with your fellow students. The workshop/seminar format will be complemented by key lectures, guest speakers, and self-directed enquiry. Alongside the core classroom-based modules, you will be required to undertake your own independent learning and develop your confidence as future practitioners
  • Work placement will be a key component of this course and will be undertaken in Semester 1 of each year.

Application Information

What further study options are available?

  • BA Honours Childhood Studies (SCQF Level 10).

What career opportunities are there?

  • PGDE in Primary or Secondary Education.
  • A variety of employment opportunities in Social Work Services and Family Support Roles.