Early Years Education

The programme allows students to engage with current issues and debates relevant to early years education, increasing understanding of policy development and developing leadership knowledge and skills to assess the quality of early years practice. Students gain understanding of general methodology and research methods, which enables them to conduct research in early years settings.

This programme provides the opportunity for students to access professional development that is informed by best practice in early years education. It will also prepare students for leadership roles and develop their understanding of general methodology and research methods.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits), one optional module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules

• Contemporary Issues in the Early Years
• Early Childhood Education
• Researching Early Years and Primary Education

Optional modules

• Leadership in Early Childhood Education

Students can also choose one from a wide range of Master's-level optional modules across the UCL IOE offering.

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a 20,000-word dissertation.

Teaching and learning

This programme is delivered through face-to-face evening sessions. Assessment is through assignments and a dissertation.