Introduction

This MA explores the crucial role that experiences in early education play in producing happy, healthy and successful children. This is reflected in the current national emphasis on early years. If you are interested in the early years field, our Masters programme provides an exciting new opportunity to:

• improve your career prospects through professional development
• focus on issues related to your own workplace
• deepen your professional knowledge and understanding in a national and international context
• make informed assessments of policy initiatives
• enhance your skills in research and enquiry
• investigate the latest research in neuroscience and child development
• be at the cutting edge of debate and critical analysis of early years issues

This MA is on the Integrated Qualification Framework (IQF).

Programme Content

The content reflects an holistic view of early development and includes:

• Current Early Years Issues and Policy Initiatives
• Leadership in Early Years
• Effective Approaches to Early Years Teaching and Learning
• Integrated Working
• Recent Developments in Genetics and Neuroscience
• International Perspectives on Childhood
• Research Methods
• Pedagogy and the Curriculum
• Dissemination and Publication
• Curriculum Areas including Early Literacy and Numeracy
• Inclusion, Culture and Creativity 

Part-time

The part-time MA in Early Years is divided into three stages with qualification exit points after each stage. 180 Master’s Level 7 credits are required to complete the MA.

Full-time

The programme is also available full-time and applications from international students are welcomed.

What Will I Study?

You will complete one stage per year and can exit following any stage with a qualification. It is possible for you to take some time out of your studies if this becomes necessary through work or family commitments.

Stage 1 modules (PG Certificate in Early Years)

• Early Years: Research Reflection and Professional Practice
• Childhood in Context: Historical and International Perspectives
• Leading Practice in the Early Years

Options:

• Pedagogy and Play
• Leadership in Integrated Working
• Early Years Practice and Integrated Working

Stage 2 modules (Diploma in Early Years)

• Early Years: Policy and Practice
• Early Years Curricular Approaches
• Negotiated Early Years Project

Stage 3 module (MA in Early Years)

• Childhood Research Methods and Dissertation (Early Years)

Important Information

This MA should be of interest to practitioners working in schools and early years settings, including teachers, with or without QTS. It is also particularly relevant to Early Years advisors, children’s centre staff and members of the wider children’s workforce. The focus reflects a multi disciplinary approach to the complexities of development, making it relevant and useful for health and social services professionals.

Applications from non specialists (parents or voluntary workers) are also welcome. It will also be of interest to international students interested in developing research skills.

Entry Requirements

You will normally need a good honours degree to enter a Masters level programme (2.2 or above). However, if you do not have this, but can show evidence of successful study at HE level, e.g. an Advanced certificate (40 credits at level 3), then you will be offered an interview and will be considered on an individual basis. You should also have relevant voluntary or paid experience in early years setting within two years of starting the programme.

Fees

Up to date information on tuition fees is available here.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Learning and teaching is predominantly by three-hour seminars designed to facilitate scholarly debate on specific topics and texts. Individual tutorials are also offered to students in all modules, and individual supervision forms an essential part of work on the dissertation. There are no exams

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is by a range of written coursework including research essays and a 18,000- word dissertation based on your own practice.

How to Apply

An application form can be download by clicking here.

A reference form can be downloaded by clicking here.

Please contact the Programme Director or Programme Administrator if you require further information or clarification.

Nikki Price
Programme Administrator
Email: nikki.price@canterbury.ac.uk
Telephone: 01634 894458

Liz Hryniewicz
Programme Director
Email: liz.hryniewicz@canterbury.ac.uk
Telephone: 01634 894421

Additionally a Frequently Asked Questions leaflet can be downloaded by clicking here.

How to Find Us

For information about travelling to the Medway Campus, please go to our website here.

Department of Childhood Studies