Early Childhood (Interdisciplinary Studies) (MA)

About the Course

*This is a combined course, please choose a subject from the list below.

By studying at Liverpool Hope University, you will be joining an academic community with a strong record in educational research. You will study in a supportive learning environment and be encouraged to develop your own research profile. This block is part of the ‘Interdisciplinary Studies in Education’ suite of research-informed Master’s provision. It offers each student a choice of awards that means they can tailor the available provision to their own research interests.

The delivery pattern of the MA programme is flexible to suit the needs of our students. Normally our classes run in the evenings and/or some Saturdays. The number of evenings you attend will depend on whether you choose to study the course full time or part time.

The combined MA is a 180-credit course of which this block forms 60 credits. Please choose one other 60-credit block subject from the list indicated below (the third 60 credits will be the dissertation phase). The degree will be called MA Early Childhood and X where X is the other block you study. Please note each block is made up of two 30-credit modules.

Our Early Childhood block must be combined with one of the following blocks and indicated on the application form:

• Advanced Mentoring and Coaching
• Developmental Psychology (part-time only)
• Disability Studies
• Early Career Teacher
• Education
• Education Leadership and Management
• Pedagogy
• Special Educational Needs
• Special Educational Needs Coordinator [SENCo]
• Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia)

Curriculum Overview

The full Master’s award requires you to gain 180 credits. You will complete another 60-credit block* and a 60-credit dissertation. The following modules are studied as part of the 60-credit Early Childhood block.

Modules

The Development of Young Children’s Thinking and Learning in Socio-Cultural Context (30 credits)

This module studies a range of theories relating to young children’s learning. It briefly visits traditional learning theories of Vygotsky, Bruner, and modern theorists. The majority of the module expands on the traditional aspects by examining attitudes and practices which provide for optimal learning. This examination includes social, cultural, historical and political influences on learning in national and international contexts. There are opportunities for students to engage with international literature and to benefit from the breadth of experiences brought to the debate by students from a variety of backgrounds.

Children’s Rights and Participation (30 credits)

This module will develop an understanding of children’s rights, starting with the UNCRC. It will examine the implications of the convention in national and international contexts, both politically and practically.

This course will examine the contemporary meanings of children’s rights and participation. It will analyse the concept of participation in relation to listening and consultation. Through Shier’s (2001) model of participation, it will consider how participation is facilitated in practice. It will enable to students to examine their own ability to facilitate participation through critical reflection. It will also examine the wider implications of facilitation in the context of the children, welfare and the state.

Dissertation (60 credits)

The Dissertation component of your degree is not only very important, it is often both the most challenging and the most enjoyable. It is where you consolidate your knowledge of the two discipline areas and use it to design, generate and report on a research project. Research capability is also one of the most valuable and transferable skills for further study and career advancement. Research is the way in which we discover more about the world in order to understand or change it, and is critically important for Master’s level study. The taught components and recommended readings introduce you to the principles and practicalities of research, which will enable you to engage with other people's research in a sophisticated way and prepare you to develop your own research project. You will conduct your investigation, under the guidance of a supervisor.

* For course details for the other 60-credit block/s please follow the links to the individual blocks on the overview page of this course.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.

Please note that a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formally the Criminal Records Bureau – CRB) is required for students where they are required to visit settings other than their own.

International Entry Requirements

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages. 

Teaching and Research

Research at Liverpool Hope is organised around several Research centres and forums. Of particular interest to students studying the MA will be the following

• Centre for Culture and Disability Studies (CCDS)
• Centre for Education and Policy Analysis (CEPA)
• Childhood Research Forum (CRF)

Students taking a Master’s may find their work aligns with any or several of these groups, as the award is designed to allow individuals to study areas of education and teaching and learning in a wide variety of settings and contexts.

UK/EU Tuition Fees

Funding

We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.

International Tuition Fees

The International tuition fees for courses starting in the 2023/24 academic year are £12,500 per year.

If you are an international student, visit our international scholarships pages.

Careers

You will be able to structure your award to benefit your personal interests, career specific opportunities and potential for promotion to senior management and leadership. It will enable you to evaluate adults' and children's learning through research and postgraduate study. For qualified teachers, this course will enhance professional practice/opportunities.

Students completing the MA may also be well placed to go on to a doctorate (EdD or PhD).

Please note - this course does not offer you a teaching qualification to teach in British schools.