Develop the skills you need to prepare for your career

student with child and football

Go beyond the classroom

Analyse the fast-changing landscape of working with young children

social work student sat in a lecture smiling

Built-in placements

Practice placements let you apply your academic learning to real-world situations

Sam Charles

Prepare for your career

Graduate with a Department of Education recognised qualification

education students sat in a lecture

Practice-focused courses

Give you the confidence and experience needed to succeed in your profession

Our Childhood courses let you explore different areas of interest as you gain practical experience that will enhance your ability and confidence as a professional.

Select a learning level

BA (Hons) Childhood Studies

Develop your effectiveness as a skilled Early Years practitioner with the support of a team of our experienced and expert teaching staff.

BA (Hons) Childhood with Therapeutic Play

Learn to work with children in a variety of settings and contexts with a focus on utilising therapeutic play approaches.

BA (Hons) Children’s Health and Wellbeing

Explore underlying causes of children’s health and boost your career opportunities by developing your skills in this growing area.

BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Integrated Foundation Year

Build your academic knowledge and confidence before your Childhood Studies degree begins.

BA (Hons) Childhood Studies Level 6 Top Up

Gain your full BA Honours degree with this flexible and accommodating top-up course.

MA Advanced Professional Practice

This innovative and flexible course for experienced professionals meets your professional CPD requirements as you to take a tailored route towards a full MA degree.

MA Practice Based Play Therapy (taught at the University of Chichester by APAC)

APAC are delighted to offer this course in partnership with the University of Chichester. Train to be a fully qualified, integrative Holistic Play Therapist with our new part time, 4 year course.

BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Integrated Foundation Year

Build your academic knowledge and confidence before your Childhood Studies degree begins.

BA (Hons) Childhood with Therapeutic Play with Integrated Foundation Year

Build your academic knowledge and confidence before your Childhood Studies with Therapeutic Play degree begins.

BA (Hons) Childhood Studies Level 6 Top Up

Gain your full BA Honours degree with this flexible and accommodating top-up course.

MA Advanced Professional Practice

This innovative and flexible course for experienced professionals meets your professional CPD requirements as you to take a tailored route towards a full MA degree.

Institute of Education and Social Sciences

Learn more about our Childhood degrees

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Learn from lecturers who know you by name

Our dedication to smaller classes allows our caring teaching staff to really get to know you and how best to help you thrive.

Our experienced Childhood team are invested in your personal and academic development and provide excellent levels of 1-1 support throughout your studies.

Lecturers React to Thank You Letters

Listen to Krisha’s letter to Becky Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Childhood, Social Work and Social Care, as she thanks her for all the support she’s received throughout her degree.

Explore the concept and structure of Childhood across all areas of society

Our Childhood degrees offer you the opportunity to understand the structures and role of learning beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Teaching Education

Explore specialist study options to enhance and enrich your learning

Our Childhood and Early Years courses are recognised by the Department for Education and built around the latest developments within the sector, with options to study modules in play creativity and expression, child development, children’s media.

A child holding a football

Increase your career opportunities with built in Graduate Practitioner option

We are one of only 22 universities in the UK to offer a Graduate Practitioner Competencies module within your three years of study for our Early Childhood courses, to professionally showcase your high level of skill when working with young children and develop your employability prospects.

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Discover a range of short professional development courses

The Centre for Workforce Development acts as a hub for associated research, applied research, consultancy, knowledge transfer and continuing professional development (CPD) activity within Childhood.

Student teacher leading a class

Gain vital professional insight and dedicated support from highly-experienced staff

We ensure that our Childhood students are fully supported throughout their degree to prepare them for a highly-rewarding and challenging profession, with integrated tutorial and peer mentoring programmes to help guide you through the process.

Becky Edwards

Specialised work placement options to given you vital real-world experience

Many of our courses across Childhood offer built-in practice placement options in quality settings across the South of England. This helps you to gain vital experience in your respective field and make invaluable connections.

student with child and football

Learn from highly-experienced expert teaching staff

Becky Edwards

Senior Lecturer

Becky is a qualified primary school teacher and has specialised in teaching children with special educational needs and disabilities in the early years.