Childhood Practice (BA)

Study alongside your work and gain accreditation to register as a manager or lead practitioner with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

This part-time programme allows you to look to the next step of your Childhood Practice career, while continuing to develop your skills in your workplace.

Visit the University’s Degree Finder for entry requirements, fees and to apply.

Apply now  

Why study at Edinburgh?

• Our cohorts are small and friendly. With classes of only 35 students, you can access personal, academic and professional support from our dedicated staff.
• We will guide you to become a reflective practitioner and impactful leader. Our staff are extensively experienced in the sector and will use their experiences to help you grow.
• Our programme is in-person, allowing you the time and space to learn and reflect, and facilitating rich discussions between students and staff.
• You will study with peers from a diverse range of childcare settings, enabling you to learn from each other’s experiences.
• All of our staff are actively researching and delivering initiatives relating to childhood in the 21^st century. Learn from staff at the forefront of children’s rights, decolonising the curriculum, and situating children in their community and environment.

Programme structure

This programme is offered part-time and in the evenings to allow you to work while you study.

You would enter into year 2 of the programme and study with us for three years to achieve the BA qualification.

Each year you will undertake one 40-credit course and two 20-credit courses.

All courses are compulsory, but you will be able to pursue your interests throughout the programme by selecting topics for your assignments. 

What will I learn?

Areas of study include:

• education studies (e.g. social justice and equity in education)
• children’s health and wellbeing (e.g. social determinants of child health, health promotion, play)
• childhood and family social policies (e.g. care, supporting parents and children, child protection, child and family rights)
• leadership and organisational behaviour (e.g. professions and professionalism, managing change and conflict within organisations)
• childhood studies (e.g. disability studies, race and ethnicity studies, and the sociology of childhood)

We discuss questions such as:

• How do you translate early learning and childcare policies into meaningful practice?
• Should children have the same rights as adults?
• How do we talk to young children about social justice?
• How do you protect children in your workplace?
• How effective are services for children and their families?
• Are children's rights just a Western luxury?

I feel that I have been brought into a partnership with teaching staff in order to create relevant and current content for the BA Childhood Practice. Specific and useful feedback on my essays has enabled me to get straight As this semester. Staff on the programme practice what they preach regarding reflective practice. I have seen midterm feedback that I have given being addressed before the end of that term. I see lessons being learnt year on year and changes being made to the course so as to deliver the most beneficial and life-changing programme possible.

Hear from a graduate  

Career opportunities in Childhood Practice

Graduates can register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as lead professionals or managers in early learning and childcare. This opens a range of options, such as applying for a promotion at your current workplace or training as a social or health promotion worker.

You can also choose to study at masters level; for example, on the MSc Education (Early Childhood Practice and Froebel pathway). Some of our graduates also go on to do the PGDE Primary Education or MSc Transformative Learning and Teaching.

University of Edinburgh Careers Service

The University’s Careers Service supports all current students (and graduates for up to 2 years) to develop their potential and achieve satisfying and rewarding futures. We do this through individual appointments, group sessions and wider campus-based activity, alongside online services and resources. We also deliver a diverse programme of face-to-face and online events throughout the academic year.  

University of Edinburgh Careers Service

Contact us

For programme enquiries, contact the Programme Director:  

 For enquiries about applying, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office: