Early Childhood and Human Biology BA (with Foundation Year)

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The undergraduate programme in Early Childhood Studies provides a higher level of academic study that will extend your knowledge and understanding of children in their early years. We hope to ignite your curiosity as we explore young children’s development and interaction with the world and that in understanding the inequalities that children face locally and globally, you will grow as advocates for young children’s needs and rights.

The Early Childhood team aim to provide a stimulating and supportive learning environment for all our students through a high level of tutor support, access to exceptional University resources and engagement with our multidisciplinary teaching team with wide experience in research, practice and policy in the field. Together with the vital ingredient of your commitment as a student, these elements will enrich your learning experience. We also aim to enhance this where possible through engaging invited speakers and field visits to relevant spaces in Liverpool, a city rich in community connection and cultural experience.

The degree is taught by academics from a wide variety of backgrounds, including Sociology, Education, Philosophy and Psychology. The teaching team are all actively involved in research and have published in their specialist fields. They are all members of the thriving Liverpool Hope Childhood Research Forum and contribute to a range of research conferences both nationally and internationally. This experience provides an informed and supportive learning environment for the student characterised by depth and challenge.

For Single Honours students there is a compulsory placement as part of your degree. The placement will enable you to enhance your understanding of key themes and provides you with an insight into the professional context. For Combined Honours students the placement is optional. The Single Honours programme also offers the option to obtain separate professional certification as a graduate practitioner through assessment against the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.

HUMAN BIOLOGY

Human Biology is an ever-evolving branch of science that includes the study of the human body, the changes that occur in disease, and the interaction between humans and their environment. With this in mind, the Human Biology Combined Honours curriculum has been designed to provide a contemporary and dynamic programme that challenges students across a broad base, but with depth in areas of staff specialisms.

The curriculum includes the disciplines of: anatomy and physiology of the human body, cell and molecular biology, genetics and immunology. These are covered in the context of both normal function and in contemporary disease states, including: obesity, cancer, diabetes, CVD, aging and a selection of other infectious and non-communicative diseases. Students will benefit from being taught by research-active staff with different research specialisms from across the School of Health and Sport Sciences.

Graduates will leave the programme with a rounded set of subject-specific and key-transferable skills, and with experience in a wide range of standard and specialist lab techniques. Graduates will gain experience, competence and confidence through small group learning, preparing them to succeed in a competitive and demanding employment market.