Early Childhood Studies

Early childhood studies is an interdisciplinary field that draws on developmental psychology, biology, sociology, education theory, and social policy to understand the first years of human life in all their complexity. The period from birth to around the age of eight is now recognised as one of the most consequential in the entire human lifespan, with early experiences shaping cognitive development, emotional regulation, social skills, and long-term health and educational outcomes in ways that have lasting effects. Studying early childhood means engaging with both the scientific understanding of child development and the practical, ethical, and political questions about how society should support young children and their families.

At the University of Plymouth, this three-year full-time degree with a year abroad takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on biological and psychological perspectives on child development alongside social and political analysis of the contexts in which children grow up. You will examine how biologists and psychologists study young children, what the research tells us about how development unfolds, and what implications those findings have for practice, policy, and provision. The sociological and educational dimensions of the degree address the broader contexts in which children's lives take place, including the role of family, community, poverty, culture, and professional services in shaping children's experiences and outcomes.

The year abroad provides an invaluable opportunity to engage with different national approaches to early childhood education and care.

Graduates of early childhood studies enter careers in early years settings, primary schools, family support services, children's centres, health visiting, play therapy, and children's social care. Many go on to achieve qualified teacher status through a PGCE or other initial teacher training route, while others pursue professional registration in social work, health visiting, or educational psychology through further postgraduate study. Roles in early childhood policy, research, and training are also natural destinations for graduates who want to influence how provision for young children is shaped and delivered at a systemic level.