Early Years and Special and Inclusive Education, BA (Hons)

This joint honours programme allows you to study two subjects widening your career options for working with children and their families. You will gain valuable real-world experience and skills through placements and projects, giving you a head-start in meeting the needs of graduate employers. Why choose this course?

You will benefit from:

• specialist modules developing your transferable and employability skills
• a wide subject area allowing for a variety of career options
• tailored assessment and support with no formal exams in your final year
• a guaranteed interview for a PGCE course in your final year (subject to course entry conditions - see the careers tab for further details)
• excellent facilities and experienced and enthusiastic tutors.

What our students say

"I have learned some valuable skills and been able to build on my existing knowledge working with young children. I have also had the opportunity to work with some fabulous teachers and have learned a great deal from them."

Nicola Slack
BA (Hons) Early Years and Special and Inclusive Education

Read more about Nicola

Any questions?

Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4200
AskNTU

How many places are available on this course?

There are 199 places available across all the Education joint honours courses.

When does the course start?

Induction begins during Welcome Week. Please see the academic calendar for course dates.

What will I study?

You will study two subject areas:

• Early Years
• Special and Inclusive Education

During your Early Years modules, you will develop your understanding of the social construct of childhood and the key importance of the holistic nature of the development of children aged up to five years. The modules have been developed to meet your needs in working alongside very young children and their families in diverse settings, in care and education.
Download the Early Years module guide

With Special and Inclusive Education, modules begin with an exploration of the origins and development of the issue. During the course you will also consider access, strategies and solutions used in Special and Inclusive Education, as well as the diversity of such provision.
Download the Special and Inclusive Education module guide

Alongside these subjects you will study core modules to develop your transferrable and employability skills:

• Developing Learning in Higher Education
  Build your own 'toolbox' of essential skills, such as academic writing, to help your transition into University study.
• Learning in Contexts
  This module spans all three years and has employability at its heart. It allows you to develop your personal and professional skills by putting the theory into practice. It also offers opportunities to achieve additional professional and external accreditation.
• Field Placement (preparation)
  Prepare for your second year placement with support on finding a suitable opportunity and understanding the skills you'll need to succeed in the workplace.

Option:

• Capstone Project
  This final year project focuses on your own research project, supported by a range of teaching and learning methods aimed at demonstrating your knowledge and ability to work independently.
• Capstone Placement
  Pursue your final year research project within a part-time placement, supported by University sessions and supervision.

Contact hours

In your first year, you will spend an average of between nine and eleven hours a week in:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials.

Lectures will build your subject knowledge and understanding, while tutorials and seminars provide the opportunity to discuss issues and ideas arising from your studies. You will be expected to study these areas independently for around 32 hours a week, ready to discuss them in your tutorials and seminars.

In Year Two you will have fewer lectures, seminars and tutorials, as you will spend around 200 hours in a placement of your choice.

Placements and professional practice

You will have a six-week placement in your second year, giving you an opportunity to put theory into practice and gain valuable work experience. Read more about this on the Placements tab.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on the coursework you do, including:

• reports
• projects
• essays
• presentations
• portfolios
• dissertation
• case studies
• reflective journals.

The Sport and Business subject strands include some examinations and tests, but all other subjects are assessed purely on your coursework.

Learn from our experienced staff

Our tutors are all experience professionals who contribute to research and development within their specialist fields. Their research and influence not only shapes new educational practice, but also feeds directly into our courses, keeping you at the forefront of policy and practice.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change

You will be based in the Ada Byron King and Lionel Robbins buildings on our Clifton campus, an attractive self-contained greenfield site located on the outskirts of Nottingham.

Clifton campus boasts:

• a large and well-stocked library with group and quiet study areas
• modern lecture theatres and teaching rooms
• IT resource rooms
• a Student Support Centre with a wealth of information and advice on careers and boosting your CV.

You will also find:

• the Point bar and diner
• a convenience store
• refectory
• bookshop
• newly built accommodation
• recently extended sports facilities that include two gyms, a sports hall and an all-weather floodlit pitch, on-site.

You will find it easy to get out and about from Clifton campus. Our award-winning Go2 Uni 4 bus service runs every 12 minutes taking students to and from the campus to the City site, via the train and coach stations. With such excellent transport links many of our students choose to live in the city or at home and commute to Clifton.

Find out more about our Clifton campus and view our campus video tour.