Curious about studying Childhood Studies with Primary Education with Foundation Year - BA (Hons)at Bucks New University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
High Wycombe Campus
Full Time
Sep 2027
4 Year
This course is offered as a four-year programme which includes the initial Foundation Year.If you're passionate about shaping the future of children, the BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Primary Education offers a comprehensive pathway into understanding childhood development from a holistic perspective. This course combines the study of child psychology, education theory, and practical primary education strategies, making it ideal for anyone eager to work in education, child welfare, or community services.
Why study BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Primary Education at BNU?Diverse careerUnlock a wide range of rewarding career opportunities in childcare and work with young people across sectors like education, research, health, and social care. Whether you see yourself in the classroom, supporting families, or shaping policy, our degree equips you with the knowledge and insight to make a lasting impact. You’ll gain the skills and confidence to become a trusted and valued professional in any setting. As well as this you’ll also connect with experts and practitioners throughout your studies, giving you real-world experience and a strong foundation for wherever your career takes you after graduation. You could also go on to further study, such as School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), Early Years Initial Teacher Training, or even a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Blend theory with hands-on practiceFrom day one, you’ll explore evidence-based approaches to childhood development and education, while consistently connecting what you learn in the classroom to real-life settings, such as through placement opportunities.Our lecturers, many of whom are former practitioners, bring a wealth of professional experience, offering valuable insights into what it truly means to work with children and families. Their stories, case studies, and hands-on guidance will help bring academic concepts to life, giving you a clear understanding of the practical realities of the field. By the time you graduate, you’ll not only understand the theory, you’ll know how to apply it with confidence as a future professional.
What will I study?This course is ideal for anyone considering a career in the early years or primary education sector. It offers a strong focus on essential areas such as pedagogy, play and learning development, child wellbeing, and early childhood development, all of which are fundamental to working effectively with young children.In addition to subject knowledge, you'll also build vital professional skills, including effective communication, presentation techniques, and strategies for engaging with both colleagues and, most importantly, the children and families you support.You’ll develop a deep understanding of how children learn and grow, exploring key themes such as sustainability, emotional wellbeing, safeguarding, and the child’s role within family, community, and society.This degree provides the knowledge to work effectively with children in a variety of settings, not just in classrooms but also in social services, community outreach, and youth work. You’ll gain insight into how children learn, develop, and interact with their environments, making this course perfect for those who want to support children in meaningful ways, whether that’s through teaching, social care, or research.The course also emphasises the importance of inter-professional collaboration and equips you with key transferable skills valued across a range of careers. Even though it doesn’t lead to a formal teaching qualification, the course offers a solid foundation for further study, such as a PGCE, or can take you into a rewarding career in childhood services, educational psychology, or youth advocacy. If you're passionate about supporting children’s growth and well-being, this course gives you the skills, knowledge, and flexibility to make a real difference.
Foundation Year
Learn the key principles of human behaviour and how they relate to other fields of study and practice. Discover more about the cognitive and social aspects of human behaviour such as how we perceive, remember and think, what motivates us, and how we interact with others. You will also develop your academic writing skills for research.
Foundation Year
Discover how research drives the fundamentals of science degrees. You will explore the fascinating world of research and its different types, such as: Quantitative and qualitative research, Primary and secondary research, Experimental and observational research. You will also learn how to apply research methods in your studies.
Foundation Year
Dive into the core principles and theories that form the foundation of education, sport, psychology, criminology, health and social sciences. This module will enable you to identify the principles of human science across different disciplines and apply them as you progress to your chosen pathway.
Foundation Year
Explore the theoretical underpinnings of communication. We equip you with the skills to navigate various communication scenarios. You will develop an understanding of effective communication techniques, the influence of context, and the nuances of verbal and non-verbal cues. You’ll be better able to present your ideas to others.
Foundation Year
Make the connections between multiple subjects within human and social science with this module. You will explore the theories at the intersection of human sciences. This will provide you with a platform to examine how different theories shape our understanding and contribute to the complexities of shared human experience.
Foundation Year
Focus on applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, testing your problem-solving abilities. The module will see you taking part in industry focused studies in a group project. By the end of this module, you will learn how to think on your toes, lead and innovate to get the knowledge you learned from your degree into practice.
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to childhood studies, working in the early childhood and primary education sector. You will extend your knowledge of the wide range of issues surrounding children and childhood, including the sociology and social constructs of childhood and an introduction to how children learn through play.
This module supports the transition to higher education, providing you with the foundations for personal and professional development through academic study. It also serves as an introduction to reflective practice through your engagement with a variety of theoretical perspectives.
This module will engage you in preparation for placement and employment and introduce relevant professional standards (graduate competencies). It will provide you with the opportunity to prepare for an individually negotiated work placement linked to your chosen area of occupational interest.
This module covers a variety of complex issues relating to child protection. Situated within the context of safeguarding, learners will explore the concept of child protection, what constitutes abuse and encompassing children’s rights. We will explore the practitioners’ role and responsibilities within the safeguarding process.
This module aims to develop your understanding of how children develop in a holistic way, from conception to the age of eight, by examining dominant and competing theories, principles and concepts with recognition of the complex relationship between the environment and the child as an active agent in your own development.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to experience an individually negotiated work placement linked to a chosen area of occupational interest within early years or primary education sector. We will reflect on ethical principles and practice, through placement learning experiences to develop employability skills.
This module provides opportunities for exploring classroom pedagogies, both traditional and current in primary schools. Within this module you will consider statutory guidance (e.g. Early Years Guidance, National Curriculum, Teachers' Standards, Ofsted criteria) and theories underpinning effective practice.
You will consider the philosophies and issues surrounding inclusion in its widest context. The module will explore the challenges of social and educational inclusion including promoting the rights, voice and advocacy of children and/or adults in an educational context.
The aim of the module is to provide you with an introduction to research methods and the skills necessary for planning and conducting research and enquiry within your field of study, discipline or profession. The course provides a foundation for further learning in specific research methods and will provide a basis for independent study.
This module provides you with an understanding of values that underpin the delivery of the STEM subjects in the Primary National Curriculum. Learners will develop an understanding of curriculum expectations and strengthen their subject content pedagogy. This module provides extensive opportunities for learning, which is integrated in the workplace.
Core personal and professional skills such as observation, reflective practice, ethics, and applying learning to practice through recognising professional responsibilities will be further developed and enhanced. We also explore the education sector providing opportunities for you to discover potential future employment.
This module aims to introduce you to research into grief and loss, developing your understanding of children’s needs following bereavement or significant loss such as parental separation, migration, war and conflict, pet loss or loss of friendships. The module will explore socio cultural beliefs, common misconceptions that children are too young to understand and more.
This module will encourage debate on current and critical issues surrounding primary education policy and practice. It will enhance your knowledge from a range of perspectives that enrich communities of practice. Synthesis of knowledge from other modules and critical reflection will enable you the opportunities to reflect, share and debate what constitutes good practice when leading pedagogy, supporting and managing change to improve outcomes for children and their families across the primary education phase. The module is designed to support you to reflect on and critically evaluate practice.
This module is designed to build on current knowledge of research, allowing you to explore a topic of interest. Presentations and discussions will enhance knowledge of research including action research and evidence-based practice.
This module will develop learners’ skills and knowledge of contemporary leadership and management. It will examine the environment in which organisations function and the culture and professional standards and how these are adapted within the organisation. Learners will challenge assumptions and think in new and innovative ways.
4.4Bucks New University (BNU) is a student-focused university based in High Wycombe, with over 130 years of educational his...
