Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status, BA (Hons)
Gain experience & training working with children in a professional space
Course Overview
The BA Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status (EYPS) offers a holistic and critically informed approach to understanding children from birth through to the age of eight. It will develop your understanding of early childhood as a foundational period, where children are recognised as capable, competent and active members of society. The programme is rooted in inclusive, ethical and rights-based teaching methods that value children’s agency, voice and diverse lived experiences.
As a student on this degree, you will undertake a minimum of 700 hours of professional placement in early childhood settings, structured as two days per week across the programme. These placements are designed to develop your practical competencies, aligning with the National Occupational Standards and Social Care Wales (SCW) requirements, including leadership and management capabilities.
Upon successful completion, you will qualify with Early Years Practitioner Status (EYPS), enabling you to work with children from birth to eight years, across a range of early years and community contexts, including Leadership and Management in Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development (Theory), which will be integrated into the programme, in alignment with sector frameworks, pending formal recognition by SCW.
Why Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status at Swansea?
Based on our coastal Singleton Park Campus, you will be located in beautiful parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula.
You will be joining a high-performing programme, with Early Childhood Studies at Swansea currently ranked:
4th in the UK Overall (Complete University Guide 2026)
4th in the UK for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2026)
Throughout the programme, you will learn how to support children and recognise them as being at the centre of families, communities and the wider socio-economic world.
You will study diversity, the uniqueness of each child, and how early childhood professionals can support children in difficult situations, such as those suffering from trauma and in social crisis. ECS currently has an increasingly significant high profile internationally at government level and within international organisations, where children’s rights, health, wellbeing and social problems have attracted much attention due to recent global movements and the refugee crisis.
Your Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status Experience
The programme will support you in learning about the best ways to support children, families and community connections. On completion, you will earn EYPS; gaining practical experience, theoretical and policy-based knowledge, and the transferable skills required for effective early years practice.
At the core of the degree is the recognition of the social construction of childhood, understanding that is not a universal experience, but one shaped by cultural, historical and political forces. The programme adopts a children’s rights-based approach, positioning children as active participants in society, whose identities, experiences and voices must be respected, represented and understood within their unique contexts.
The programme is structured as follows: 2 days a week on placement, 2 days a week on campus for learning and teaching, and 1 day per week for independent work. This approach enables you to become an independent learner who can work both autonomously and collaboratively. At level 6, you will undertake a research project and complete a dissertation, supported by a supervisor, enhancing your research skills and consolidating your learning.
Placement is a core and continuous component, which is fundamental to the development of professional competencies, and is essential if you are to meet the requirements of EYPS, as recognised by SCW. You will have the opportunity to undertake placements in organisations such as flying start centres, primary schools, private nurseries and other childcare settings to enhance your experience and career prospects.
This programme also includes the opportunity to undertake a Year Abroad, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.
The optional additional Foundation Year can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BA.
Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status Employment Opportunities
Employability is an essential pillar of the BA Early Childhood Studies programme, and is embedded across all levels of study.
During placement, you will be encouraged to participate in staff meetings, inset days and induction activities that will expose you to varied career routes, including childminding. You will have the opportunity to explore pathways to self-employment and enterprise, including setting up childcare provision.
Additionally, you will document your engagement with CPD, research-informed practice and sector-relevant skills. This portfolio serves as evidence of your employability and readiness for EYPS recognition. The independent research project/dissertation at the end of your degree supports the development of key skills including critical thinking, time management, organisation and self-directed learning.
The programme works closely with the Centre for Academic Success at Swansea, to embed study skills that enhance academic performance and employability. You will be supported to explore bursaries, funding, and career development resources, with guidance available from the University’s Careers and Enterprise Teams.
Upon successful completion, you will be awarded the EYPS qualification, as recognised by SCW. This professional status affirms your readiness to work in regulated early years settings, and supports your progression into leadership roles. As part of membership and commitment to the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network and QAA quality benchmarks for early childhood studies, graduates will be able to work in early years settings in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
As a graduate, you may progress into a variety of roles, including:
Early Years Teaching and Pedagogy (e.g. nurseries)
Family and Community Support Work (e.g. integrated children’s services, parenting programmes or outreach roles)
Teaching Assistant Roles in primary and early years settings
Childminding and Early Years Entrepreneurship, including self-employment and community-based provision
Leadership and Management progression to L5 practice framework.
A preferred progression route for many graduates is the PGCE Primary, enabling entry into Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Other graduates choose to pursue postgraduate study at MA level, including on our:
MA Early Childhood Studies
MA Education
MA Developmental and Therapeutic Play
Modules
We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.
At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed
education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods,
carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course. Most courses are taught
in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to
actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider
university community.
You can expect a mix of
lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions -
including laboratory work, skills training, or studio-based teaching where
relevant to your discipline. These sessions are designed to encourage active
participation, collaboration, and the development of both subject-specific
and transferable skills.
Digital learning tools are also used to enhance your
learning experience. These may include:
Recorded lectures to support flexible study and
revision.
Virtual labs or simulated environments, particularly in
science, healthcare, and technical disciplines.
Online resources on the university’s virtual learning
environment (Canvas), including videos, reading materials, quizzes, and
discussion forums.
This approach enables you to engage with and review content at your own pace
while benefiting from the structure and support of in-person teaching.
This course may offer some modules taught through the medium of Welsh or
bilingually for students who consider themselves to be fluent Welsh
speakers. For more details on the provision available see the Welsh
Provision expander below.
N.B If you are an international student studying with a Student Route
Visa, please note that your timetabled activity, along with any
additional supervisory activity (with Swansea University staff present)
will take place on campus. In line with UKVI protocol, these sessions
will be monitored and data made available on request.
Unfortunately, there is currently no formal Welsh-medium provision on this course. If you would like to let us know
that you are interested in pursuing an element of your course through the medium of Welsh, please email astudio@abertawe.ac.uk to indicate your interest along with your year of entry and
we will do our best to see what is possible.
Whilst this course does not offer academic content delivered in Welsh, the University can provide you with the
following, and Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you:
An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to
study in English), and your work will be marked in Welsh.
A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
One-to-one support through the medium of Welsh to improve your academic skills.
An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence
of your Welsh language ability for future employers, namely the WJEC and Coleg Cymraeg's Welsh Language
Certificate.
Fees for full-time undergraduate UK students on classroom based foundation programmes will increase from Year 1, and in subsequent years, to the maximum regulated fee level set by the Welsh Government.
You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.
Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's
scholarships and bursaries
page.
Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually.
For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.
Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.
You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):
Travel to and from campus
Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
Purchase of books or texts
Gowns for graduation ceremonies
Travel to and from placement schools
Please be aware that you will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (or Police check for overseas students) as part of the enrolment process for our Early Childhood Studies programmes and there is a cost for this service. Please see our DBS Application Guidance page for more details.
The DBS Update Service
The Update Service is a paid annual subscription that keeps your DBS certificate up to date, allowing you to reuse your certificate for future work and placements. We strongly advise you to register for the Update Service to avoid having to apply for a new enhanced DBS certificate for each placement. You can subscribe through the DBS website, though you must do so within 30 days of the issue date of your DBS certificate.
As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your
personal tutor, the Centre for Academic
Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas
such as:
Academic writing
Maths and statistics
Critical thinking
Time management
Digital skills
Presentation skills
Note taking
Revision, memory and exam techniques
English language skills (if English is not your first language).
In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability,
mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have
Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and
requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.
To learn more about study abroad, visit our
Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a
programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year
abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection
process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement,
you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme
without a semester or year abroad.
International summer programmes are open to students from all schools.
Programmes typically range from 2 to 6 weeks, across destinations such as
Sri Lanka, South Korea, Fiji, Bali, the USA and across Europe. For more
information about programmes and eligibility visit our
Summer Abroad webpages.
We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application
deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can
find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.
The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the
descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of
application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable
or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision,
either before or after enrolment.
The information below is for students starting their courses in 2016 or
later.
The University will not normally make very substantial changes to courses
(for example, a change to the course title, significant restructuring,
substantial change in course content, or the introduction of a progression
hurdle) which would impact on students who have already begun their course.
In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for the University to make
such a change after acceptance of a place by an offer-holder. This will not
happen less than 5 months before enrolment. The offer-holder will be
notified of the change and will have the opportunity to withdraw their
application and apply elsewhere.
Other changes could be made to course content, study location, delivery and
teaching provision because of developments in the relevant subject,
enhancements in teaching or assessment practice, requirements of external
accreditation processes, changes in staffing, resource constraints or
changes in the availability of facilities. Such changes will take account of
the reasonable expectations of prospective and current students.
Summary of Changes
Date of Change
12/12/2025
Course Title(s)
Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status
BA (Hons)
(X311)
Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status
BA (Hons)
With a Classroom based Foundation Year
(X31F)
Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Practitioner Status
BA (Hons)
With a Year Abroad
(X312)
Material Change
There are minor changes to this programme's structure that impact whether modules are compulsory and optional.
Reason for Change
These updates are designed to make your learning experience more streamlined, relevant and manageable.
