Education (Early Childhood) MA

Degree and experience:

• A good honours degree or equivalent and you must be working in a relevant professional role. Evidence of an employment-based research project may be acceptable in place of an honours degree – each case will be considered on its merit. Applications will be welcomed from those with Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), Early Years Teacher Status and/or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.

English Language Requirement:

• IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in writing.

Stage 1 - Engaging in Professional Development

This stage encourages critical reflection of practice and provides an opportunity to develop and enhance your understanding of key topics through modules that offer a specialist focus on early years practice. Assessment is based on the application of learning to practice and evaluation of impact on yourself, your learners or others affected by your study.

Module 1 aims to support you in your leadership role while you plan for and implement quality improvement and critically engage with research-driven quality assessment tools.

Stage 2 - Developing Practitioner Research

Stage 2 of the award is made up of one specialist module that continues the focus on early childhood and two core modules that support the dissertation. One focuses on the use of literature and current education research in early childhood to inform research and the other looks at methodology appropriate to the study of early childhood and leads to the research proposal. 

Module 2 aims to support you in understanding current issues and debates while engaging with the latest relevant research. Areas covered will reflect contemporary issues at the time and will vary from aspects such as developing physical literacy in care and education, social relationships and competencies, communication and language, risk taking and children's voice. 

Stage 3 - Investigating and Embedding Enhanced Practice

At this stage you will undertake a structured research based dissertation in an area of your professional interest. Findings will have a direct impact on practice within an educational context. It will involve planning, implementation, analysis and dissemination of your conclusions and recommendations.

The third specialist module aims to support your understanding of some of the broader perspectives considered in early childhood contexts and is likely to include critical engagement with international perspectives, poststructuralist perspectives, children's rights, pedagogy and professionalism in education and care.