This MA offers you the opportunity to explore current issues within early childhood education in national and international contexts, and can open up a wide range of career opportunities in areas including childcare management, lecturing and research.
It focuses on the crucial role that experiences in early education play in producing happy, healthy and successful children. Drawing on your own professional experience, practice and interests you'll be able to research and develop specialist areas of expertise within this field.
Specifically, our re-validated course provides an exciting new opportunity to:
• Engage in rigorous and critical professional development
• Explore issues of relevance to your own workplace
• Enhance your skills in research and critical enquiry
• Investigate the latest research
• Innovate and lead practice
Visit the website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/early-childhood-education.aspx
The range of modules is designed to reflect the range of expertise and specialisms within the Early Childhood Directorate teaching team, who are passionate about using insights from their research to enhance your learning experience. You will have the opportunity to develop your own research and specialist areas of expertise, based on personal interests and professional experiences. We encourage you to gain experience as a researcher, and there may be opportunities to get involved in research projects and student internships within the Faculty of Education.
You will study a core module at the outset which will help you develop an understanding of Level 7 learning and the importance of reflection on practice, as you begin to develop effective Level 7 writing skills and abilities.
• Professional Development through Research, Reflection and Professional Practice (core 20 credit module)
As you progress you will have the opportunity to develop these skills further in a range of optional 20 credit modules. Options include the following although some combinations may be limited due to your mode of study (full/part¬time). All modules are subject to change.
• Early Childhood Education: Curricular and Pedagogical Approaches (optional)
• Leading Quality Practice in Early Childhood Education (optional)
• Policy and Practice in Early Childhood Education (optional)
• Learning Outdoors in Early Childhood (optional)
• Children’s Lives in Context: Historical and International Perspectives (optional)
• Children and Charities in Early Childhood Education (optional)
• Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (optional)
• Early Childhood Education: Negotiated Project (optional)
The final 60 credits of the course are designed to enable you to demonstrate self-direction and originality in conducting an independent research study into a specialist area in early childhood education.
The MA attracts a wide range of graduates from a variety of backgrounds not necessarily Early Years related but those who wish to expand and deepen their knowledge of young children from birth to 8 years. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities hosted by the University such as conferences, open lectures, and visits to early years settings.
You'll study using a variety of learning and teaching strategies involving you as an active participant in the process of learning and teaching depending upon the mode of delivery. Modules typically consist of a series of lectures, workshops and seminars which are delivered over the course of seven weeks. Some modules may be offered on a blended basis combining face to face Saturday sessions with access to online learning resources. Blended delivery is particularly appropriate where the module content demands experiential learning and some sessions may include field work as well as classroom based activities. It is also appropriate for modules such as the Negotiated Project where students are encouraged to further their own specific research interests with one-to-one tutor support.
All learning will be supported through the use of the University Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard) as well as other digital media. Individual tutorials are offered to students in all modules and individual supervision forms an essential part of work on the dissertation. The module tutor or the Programme Director will act as your personal tutor.
The programme uses a range of assessment types including presentations, action research reports, reflective commentaries, literature reviews and document analysis. You will also complete a 15,000 word dissertation based on your research interests.
As a programme of rigorous and critical professional development, the MA Early Childhood Education can open up a wide range of opportunities. Graduates from the MA Early Childhood Education have been successful in pursuing careers in a variety of different professional contexts with roles including Lecturer in Early Years, Nursery Manager, Childrens Centre Manager, Deputy Headteacher (primary) and Creative Early Years Specialist. Some students have gone on to enroll on doctoral programmes and to undertake a PhD based on their particular research interests.
For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx
See our postgraduate fees and funding page to discover the loans, scholarships and bursaries available.
The PGCE Early Childhood Education with recommendation for Early Years Teacher Status is funded by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) for the Initial Teacher Training for specialist early years teachers (birth to five years).
Visit the website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/early-childhood-education-with-early-years-teacher-status.aspx
There are two routes for this course. The Graduate Entry (Mainstream) and the Graduate Entry (Employment Based).
The Graduate Entry (Mainstream) is a twelve month, full-time course suitable for high calibre graduates who have limited experience of working with children from birth to five, but who are looking to pursue a career working in early years.
On this pathway you will work for some periods of the week in a minimum of two placements, undertake a number of PGCE modules and attend Early Years Teacher Status professional study days.
The Graduate Entry (Employment Based) pathway is suitable for graduates working in an early years setting or who require training and further experience to demonstrate the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years), or for newly recruited graduates in an early years setting who need to undertake early years ITT through an employment based route.
This postgraduate route into teaching is a credible career choice for students wishing to pursue specialisation and expertise as a teacher with children from birth to five years.
All PGCE pathways cover three main areas: Curriculum Studies, Professional Studies and Enhanced Studies. The Early Childhood Education pathway is designed to complement professional practice and the academic study should be informed by and inform practice.
In Curriculum Studies modules and taught days, you will develop your understanding and knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, pedagogy and resources to support the teaching.
As you progress through your studies and can apply your learning to practical teaching situations, you will be introduced to a wider range of critical perspectives on teaching and learning in the early years. You will be expected to apply that critical reflection to your own teaching.
In Professional Studies modules and taught days, you will learn about broader aspects of education and the early years, its role in society and communities and how education policy and practice has an impact on schools. Key principles and values in early years education will be explored as you develop your own theories of education and reflect critically on others.
In the Enhanced Studies module and taught days, you will have the opportunity to choose a particular aspect of early years education and to study that in greater depth. Your learning in this context will enable you to reflect more strongly and critically on your own emerging identity as an early years teacher.
On completion of the course you will be awarded your Early Years Teacher Status from the National College of Teaching and Leadership. The Early Years Teacher Status is subject to the relevant standards and requirements set out by the Department for Education which are subject to change.
You can expect to receive 50 hours academic direction for each module in a university taught session. The range of learning and teaching strategies is a central component of the design and planning of the PGCE Early Childhood Education pathway on the ITE course.
There is an expectation of 150 hours practice learning and independent study to support your individual and collaborative learning. We will use of a range of ways of engaging you in critical debate and discussion during taught sessions, including talk partners, small group discussion and micro-teaching, while enhancing the experience with practical, creative and active learning.
The Graduate Entry (Mainstream) students on this course are required to be in placement for 120 days. These placements are linked to two credit bearing modules and will contain the assessment process for the recommendation of the award of Early Years Teacher Status. The placements will be in settings for children from birth to five years and will be sourced by the Partnership Team in line with the University placement procedures and processes.
Students studying on the employment pathway (Graduate Entry Employment Based) will be able to use their current employment as their base location in addition to contrasting placements to meet the requirements of the course. On commencing the course they will complete a needs analysis with tutors so that gaps in their knowledge, skills and experience can be highlighted; in this way additional placements will be arranged to ensure these students can cover the breadth of the 0-5 years subject area.
Early Childhood Education PGCE pathway students who opt for the PGCE modules (either as a whole or for separate Masters level modules) will be assessed in two main ways – via academic assignments and via assessment of your teaching.
You will submit academic assignments for 20 credits in curriculum, professional and enhanced studies. Each submission will include a written element, but you may also be assessed via presentation or practical performance as relevant to your subject or chosen options. You can achieve up to 60 Masters (Level 7) credits (except in the PGCE Modular pathway which offers up to 40 Masters (Level 7) credits.)
On successful completion students will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with Early Years Teacher Status. Students may have already achieved 60 Masters level credits and may wish to continue studies by applying for the MA Early Childhood Education.
For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx
See our Teacher Education Funding page to discover the scholarships and bursaries available.
View http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/fees-and-funding/teacher-education-funding.aspx
This award is gained through taking an early childhood education focus for 50% of the study, including the Dissertation.
The programme is flexible to enable students to demonstrate an early childhood education focus in any of the 30 credit modules of interest which are studied, although study might include the Child Development: Foundations for Life module. Students must have an early childhood education focus for the final dissertation. In order to gain this award, students need to submit the Early Childhood Education evidence log to demonstrate the 50% focus.
The MA Early Childhood Education is offered as part of a suite of awards available through the MA Education Framework.
This programme is offered on a 1 year full-time basis, and part-time study for 2 or 3 years.
The programme supports you in developing your knowledge and understanding of issues and practice through enquiry and research. The programme provides a range of module choices, but you are encouraged to bring your own ideas and focus on your own particular professional interests.
Through this programme you will:
Taught sessions are built around discussion, discovery, shared learning and peer review with tutor support and expertise immediately at hand. All modules are constructed so that the focus of the work should be upon your individual interests and professional requirements.
Level 7
Core Modules
Optional
This one-year, full-time course covers a broad range of issues, encourages students to reflect on their experiences of early childhood education current policy and addresses theory and research relevant to their interests.
We offer postgraduate courses that will launch your career in education or aid your continuing professional development.
Our graduates work in the UK and overseas in schools, universities, and local and national government. Some are teachers and lecturers. Others use their skills in policy development, education, administration, psychology and social work.
We value creative teaching that challenges inequalities in the education system. We believe in increasing opportunities for education, for everyone. Our research has a direct impact on educational theory, policy and practice. We’re supporting the development of children, families and learning communities through dedicated research centres.
You’ll learn from world-class academics such as Professor Cathy Nutbrown and Professor Dan Goodley. Cathy, who teaches on three of our postgraduate courses, won an Outstanding Impact in Society award in 2013 for her work on literacy. Dan’s work on disability in education has been described as ground breaking.
Our research seminar programme gives you access to the latest findings, often before they’re published. The University’s library has online catalogues and databases, e-books and e-journals.
All MA courses follow a similar pattern with two core modules (1 and 4) and two subject-specific modules (2 and 3).
Teaching and learning takes place via lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion, active inquiry and investigations. Regular meetings with a personal tutor support and encourage your learning and understanding.
A weekly tutorial and a Study of Education course accompanies the taught modules.
There are no formal written examinations and assessment is by coursework and a 15–20,000-word dissertation.
This course blends distance learning with face-to-face teaching. It’s open to early childhood professionals anywhere in the world, including early years practitioners, FE and HE lecturers, teachers, nursery nurses, voluntary and independent providers, and inspectors and managers working in areas relevant to early childhood.
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll develop the skills you need to carry out high-quality educational research relevant to your own culture. Those skills include a clearer understanding of the policies, practice and theories that underpin your work. You’ll discuss international approaches and educational change with leading experts.
We offer postgraduate courses that will launch your career in education or aid your continuing professional development.
Our graduates work in the UK and overseas in schools, universities, and local and national government. Some are teachers and lecturers. Others use their skills in policy development, education, administration, psychology and social work.
We value creative teaching that challenges inequalities in the education system. We believe in increasing opportunities for education, for everyone. Our research has a direct impact on educational theory, policy and practice. We’re supporting the development of children, families and learning communities through dedicated research centres.
You’ll learn from world-class academics such as Professor Cathy Nutbrown and Professor Dan Goodley. Cathy, who teaches on three of our postgraduate courses, won an Outstanding Impact in Society award in 2013 for her work on literacy. Dan’s work on disability in education has been described as ground breaking.
Our research seminar programme gives you access to the latest findings, often before they’re published. The University’s library has online catalogues and databases, e-books and e-journals.
All MA courses follow a similar pattern with two core modules (1 and 4) and two subject-specific modules (2 and 3).
Teaching and learning takes place via lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion, active inquiry and investigations. Regular meetings with a personal tutor support and encourage your learning and understanding.
A weekly tutorial and a Study of Education course accompanies the taught modules.
There are no formal written examinations and assessment is by coursework and a 15–20,000-word dissertation.
Two core modules and two subject-specific modules.
Teaching and learning takes place via lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion, active inquiry and investigations. Regular meetings with a personal tutor support and encourage your learning and understanding.
A weekly tutorial and a Study of Education course accompanies the taught modules.
There are no formal written examinations and assessment is by coursework and a 15–20,000-word dissertation.
The main aim of the programme is to develop high standards of research that will be relevant to a range of professional and managerial careers.
The programme is designed to enable each student to focus on issues relating to her/ his own professional needs. In Part I, students undertake six modules. Three of these are focused on research training, in preparation for Part II. The other three modules all examine a variety of aspects of educational research. Students are encouraged to shape assignments to meet their own professional contexts.
In Part II, students undertake an independent study in an area of their choice.
The EdD Early Childhood Education is designed to meet the needs of students from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including those working in early years settings and those involved in training related areas, both in the UK and overseas. Some students are in middle and senior level managerial positions in schools, colleges and universities, while others are in the early stages of their career. The course is for people who have a Masters degree and are committed to pursuing their career in parallel to their studies at doctoral level.
The venue for the weekend schools for the EdD programme is the luxurious Kenwood Hall in Nether Edge, Sheffield.
In Part I, students attend a weekend study school for each module i.e. three weekend study schools per year. Attendance at residential weekends is a compulsory part of the programme at Part I level. These weekends enable students to meet and develop their own networks and contacts.
Students are sent readings in electronic form prior to each weekend school. During the study school, students attend in lectures and seminars. Regular communication between students and supervisors is encouraged throughout Part II. In addition to attending supervision tutorials at weekend study schools students maintain contact at key points during their programme of study via e-mail, letter, telephone and personal visits.
Part II consists of an extensive research project of between 50,000 and 60,000 words.
Earn an Early Childhood Education qualification online from anywhere in the world through NZTC Global. Or study through blended learning in New Zealand as an international student through New Zealand Tertiary College.
Designed to advance quality teaching, learning, research and scholarship skills in the early childhood sector, this research-based Master’s is ideal for graduates who have a degree and want to take their educational and professional skills to a higher level.
Online is a flexible mode of learning that enables you to obtain an NZQA approved, high quality qualification without face-to-face attendance requirements. All study is conducted through NZTC’s unique online learning environment – NZTC Online.
All learning materials and academic resources are accessed online to allow you to balance your studies with work and family commitments.
Courses are completed and assessed online, and you are part of an online learning community where you can interact with other students and lecturers through online discussion forums to assist your learning.
This mode of learning blends the flexibility of online learning with face-to-face learning and practical experience, including tutorials, block courses, supervised field practice and work experience.
Other Program Requirements
Students must have access to reliable internet and a computer.
To complete the course all students will be required to engage in online discussions.
International students studying in New Zealand must attend weekly tutorials at our Auckland or Christchurch campus.
Start Dates
February, April, July and October
Newman University has developed a suite of modules aimed specifically at Early Years Practitioners and Early Years Professionals who are working in or have access to early years settings.
Newman offers you the opportunity to enhance your professional knowledge, understanding and skills of early years practice by developing and implementing systematic professional enquiry and reflective practice around a range of concepts and theories relevant to early years provision.
Completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care will enable you to continue onto a full MA via undertaking a further 30 credit module of your choice (from the MA Education module choices) and the compulsory Research Methods module, followed by the final dissertation.
You will study the course part-time over 12 months which will provide you with the flexibility to combine employment (if relevant) and placements (if relevant) with study. Taught sessions will be based at Newman. The PG cert comprises of 3 modules with one module being taught each semester on one evening per week with approximately 10 sessions per module.
You will experience a range of assessments in the form of reflective accounts, presentations and essays related to practice in the field of early years.
For further information and module descriptions, please visit the web page
This course is aimed at people who are currently working with young children aged 0-5 years in early years settings including children's centres, schools and private day care. You deepen your knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and early childhood development for young children.
During the course you cover developing the curriculum and pedagogy for the age phases 0-3 and 3-5 years. You also gain knowledge and understanding of transition issues, including children's progress through key stages 1 and 2.
Supported by experienced workplace mentors, you extend your knowledge and professional skills in key areas including
During your training you strengthen your expertise in teaching early literacy, including reading, and mathematics, including numeracy. The course also enhances your skills in supporting children's learning and development across all the prime and specific areas of the EYFS. You deepen your understanding of the characteristics of effective learning that are key to this stage of development.
You complete an assessed teaching practice in your home school or early years setting, and a second assessed placement with a younger or older age-group in a second school or early years setting. Placement experience is organised so that you cover the three age groups within the 0-5 age range.
Throughout your course you are supported to develop a range of relevant academic and professional skills at graduate and postgraduate level. This supports and enhances your career potential, opening up opportunities for higher level posts within early years services.
Professional recognition
By meeting the standards for Early Years Teacher Status, you are recognised as an Early Years Teacher (0-5) with EYTS by the http://www.nationalcollege.org.uk/index" target="_blank">National College of Teaching and Leadership.
Key areas include
Previous students have gained roles as early years teachers in private nurseries, preschools and children's centres, working with children and their families.
Early career roles are often practice based but involve some form of leadership such as a room leader, EYT leading practice across a setting or SENCO co-ordinating provision for children with special education needs. Students have also gained practitioner roles in schools, working with young children aged 2 - 5.
There are developing opportunities in schools, as schools extend provision to two-year-olds. Early career salaries on graduation vary across the early years sector, starting at around £16,000 going up to £24,000.
For experienced early years teachers, there are good opportunities for career progression leading to higher level leadership roles. These roles include private nursery manager, nursery chain teacher and children's centres co-ordinator or manager, where you would lead a multiprofessional team. Salaries range between £25,000 and £40,000.
Some graduates take up teaching roles in further education, with salaries starting at £25,000. Others continue their academic and professional development at masters level.
Earn an Early Childhood Education qualification online from anywhere in the world through NZTC Global. Or study through blended learning in New Zealand as an international student through New Zealand Tertiary College.
Degree graduates with an interest in the early childhood sector have an opportunity to enhance their knowledge in research and leadership with this postgraduate diploma that also serves as a pathway to our Masters’ qualifications.
NZTC offers a number of learning modes to suit your learning style and lifestyle - giving you an enjoyable and high-quality learning experience. We are committed to supporting all of our students through the use of appropriate and engaging technology enabled learning.
Online is a flexible mode of learning that enables you to obtain an NZQA approved, high quality qualification without face-to-face attendance requirements. All study is conducted through NZTC’s unique online learning environment – NZTC Online.
All learning materials and academic resources are accessed online to allow you to balance your studies with work and family commitments.
Courses are completed and assessed online, and you are part of an online learning community where you can interact with other students and lecturers through online discussion forums to assist your learning.
This mode of learning blends the flexibility of online learning with face-to-face learning and practical experience, including tutorials, block courses, supervised field practice and work experience.
Other Program Requirements
Students must have access to reliable internet and a computer.
To complete the course all students will be required to engage in online discussions.
International students studying in New Zealand must attend weekly tutorials at our Auckland or Christchurch campus.
Start Dates
February, April, July and October
Join one of our 16 International English-language Master’s programs at the University of Haifa
