Contemporary Craft and Early Childhood

Contemporary craft and early childhood is an unusual and thoughtful combination that brings together two fields which are more connected than they might first appear. Contemporary craft is concerned with the practice of making, with the skilled use of materials, processes, and ideas to create objects and experiences that are both functional and expressive. Early childhood studies examines how young children develop, learn, and experience the world, and what kinds of environments, relationships, and activities best support them.

The combination invites you to think about how creativity, making, and material engagement contribute to children's learning and wellbeing.

At Liverpool Hope University, this three-year full-time programme builds a supportive community where emerging makers and designers can reach their creative potential alongside developing knowledge of child development, early years education, and the contexts in which young children grow and learn. In the craft strand, you will work across a range of materials and processes, developing your technical skill, creative thinking, and design sensibility through hands-on studio practice. In the early childhood strand, you will study developmental psychology, pedagogy, play, inclusive practice, and the policy frameworks that shape early years education and care.

A sandwich year, year abroad, and work placement opportunities are available, giving you professional and international experience during your studies.

Graduates go on to careers in early years education, craft education, arts in education, children's museums, play therapy, design and making for children, and community arts. Many pursue postgraduate qualifications in early years teaching or professional craft practice, and some develop careers that blend both areas, working as artist educators, craft facilitators in schools, or designers of materials and environments for young children. The combination of creative and educational knowledge is distinctive and valued in organisations that work with children through the arts.