Module information

    Core/optional modules

    Learning in the Early Years

    In this module, you will explore the many ways young children learn and develop, and gain a deeper understanding of how early learning is shaped by different environments, relationships, and experiences. Learning in the early years is not limited to structured classroom settings; it is a holistic, multidimensional, and interactive process that happens everywhere, from outdoor play to family interactions and peer engagement.

    You will examine the various literacies young children develop as they make sense of the world, including language, movement, and social communication, and consider how these literacies influence their growth and development.

    A key focus of this module is the role of others in a child's learning journey, from parents and caregivers to teachers and peers. You will reflect on how adults can create rich and meaningful learning opportunities while also recognising the agency of young children, as they actively shape their own learning through play, curiosity, and exploration.

    By engaging with cutting-edge research and global perspectives, you will gain the tools to critically evaluate early learning experiences and consider what it means to truly support young children in their development.

    Gender and Intersecting Inequalities in the Early Years

    In this module, you will critically explore how gender and intersecting inequalities shape young children's experiences and their educational journeys. The module adopts an interdisciplinary and intersectional lens to explore how multiple forms of inequality, including racism, sexism, ableism, classism, and heterosexism, manifest in early years education and consider their broader social, cultural, and educational implications.

    You will engage with key theoretical perspectives and contemporary research to develop a nuanced understanding of how these inequalities are produced, reinforced, and contested within the early years settings.

    You will also reflect on the transformative potential of early years education in challenging entrenched social norms and fostering more equitable educational environments. By engaging with these complex issues, you will develop the critical knowledge and analytical skills necessary to advocate for and contribute to meaningful change within early years education.

    Global Perspectives of Early Childhood

    In this module, you will challenge the assumption that all children have the same needs, experiences, and developmental paths. You will reflect on how globalised images of childhood often contrast with the values, beliefs, and practices of local communities.

    By critically examining the differences between these global and local perspectives, you will develop an in-depth understanding of childhood as a diverse and complex experience, shaped by cultural, social, and political factors.

    Research Methods and Methodologies

    In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies and methods relevant to education. You will be supported in adopting a critical and reflective stance towards the design, analysis, and interpretation of educational research. This will enable you to engage meaningfully with complex contemporary issues and to critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of diverse research approaches.

    The module will build your capacity to select and apply appropriate methodological frameworks, with particular attention to the ethical and practical considerations involved in research with children and other vulnerable groups. Through critical engagement with educational literature and debates, you will strengthen your ability to conduct independent, ethically sound research.

    By the end of the module, you will be prepared to design and carry out your dissertation project, addressing significant issues in educational contexts. Alongside academic development, you will gain transferable skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and evidence-based decision-making, all essential for effective and reflective professional practice in education and related fields.

    		  

    Dissertation

    The dissertation module is the highlight of your postgraduate journey, offering you the chance to delve deep into a topic of your choice within education or broader educational contexts. With the guidance of an experienced supervisor, you will lead your own research project. You will choose a compelling research question, conduct a thorough literature review, select the methodologies that best suit your work, analyse your findings, and present your results.

    This is where you will showcase your academic rigour, originality, and critical thinking skills, while exploring contemporary issues or practices in education or broader educational contexts that truly matter to you. Through this module, you will also hone valuable transferable skills like advanced research, project management, and academic writing, all of which will prepare you for doctoral study or enhance your professional career.

    The dissertation allows you to explore a topic in-depth, positioning you as an expert in your area of interest and equipping you to confidently tackle complex educational challenges in the future.

    PG Challenge Module

    Industry-focused and practice-led, these interdisciplinary modules invite you to work collaboratively, applying your advanced degree knowledge and skills to creatively tackle complex challenges that face our society today, to innovate, harness technology and become active change-makers in the workplace and beyond.

    You will choose one of these modules. Click here to find out more and explore the full selection available.

    *Modules subject to approval