Childhood Practice BA (Ord) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Education Year of entry: 2026 Key facts Award BA (Ord) Duration of study 3 years Delivery Part-time Study location Holyrood campus Start date September 2026 School Moray House School of Education and Sport College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Accreditation Available Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme This programme prepares you for a management role within the early childhood learning and care sector. You will examine issues of:childhood, including childhood studieshealth and wellbeingchild developmenteducationfamily sociologychildhood policy and rightsWe support you to:build your knowledge of leadership, management and professionalismdevelop communication and management skillslearn about organisational development and inter-agency workingThis programme is work-based and does not involve placements. You will need to be working with children and families while taking the degree. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 3 years. Programme benefits Accredited by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), graduates of the programme are eligible to register with the SSSC as a lead practitioner or managerDevelop your skills with this part-time degree and apply them directly to your work Entry requirements You should have relevant qualifications that total 120 credits at Levels 7/8 and may include combinations of, for example, SVQ3, SVQ4, HNC and Professional Development Award (PDA). We may consider other awards. You are also expected to have at least two years' experience of working or volunteering within an early-years or childcare environment. You will need to be working with children and families while taking the degree. You will be expected to hold a suitable PVG through this employer while taking the degree. Additional requirements Interviews You will need to attend an interview as part of the selection process for this programme. You will receive further details on the process if you are shortlisted for an interview. English language requirements You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. School qualifications we accept We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher:SQA National 5 English at CGCSE English at C or 4Level 2 Certificate English at CInternational Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements.Other qualifications we acceptWe also accept other qualifications from around the world.English language qualifications and tests we accept English language tests we accept If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 5 in each component. Other English language tests we accept We also accept other types of English language tests. English language qualifications and tests we accept How old your English language qualifications can be Qualifications no more than two years oldQualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of this programme, regardless of your nationality:IELTSTOEFLTrinity ISEOxford ELLTQualifications no more than three and a half years oldAll other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of this programme.If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.Check the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries Fees and funding Tuition fees for BA (Ord) Childhood Practice (Part-time) View the tuition fees for one academic year of BA (Ord) Childhood Practice (Part-time). Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.This estimate covers the costs of:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee a breakdown of living costs Scholarships and funding Funding information You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section. Funding Programme details What you will study This work-based programme is for students with 120 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credits at level 7/8 (or equivalent) working in a relevant childcare environment. Year 1 You enter directly into Year 2. Year 2 In Year 2, you will study:Children and ChildhoodChildhood Studies Work-Based Learning 1: Professional DevelopmentChildren in the Family, which will enable you to evaluate your role in a childcare setting Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 In Year 3, you will study:Childhood Studies Work-Based Learning 2: Organisational DevelopmentChildren's Education and Social JusticeChildren's Health and Wellbeing Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 In Year 4, you will study:Integrated Working in Children's ServicesChildren's RightsYou will also complete a childhood practice research project. Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Teaching and assessment Teaching You will be taught through:lecturestutorialsworkshopsindependent small-group activitydigital learning environments Assessment You will be assessed through a range of methods, including:essaysacademic poster presentationformative student presentations Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.Support for your studies Where you will study Study location Most of your teaching will take place at Moray House School of Education and Sport. The school is part of the Holyrood Campus in the University's Central Area. Academic facilities You will have access to the University's libraries and computing facilities. Virtual tour You can take a closer look at Moray House School of Education and Sport and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.Take a virtual tour of Moray House School of Education and Sport Career paths and further study Accreditation The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has accredited this programme. Graduates are eligible to register with the SSSC as lead practitioners/managers. Career paths Our graduates go on to:register as lead professionals and managers in early learning and careapply for promotion in their current workplacework in the voluntary and policy sectorspursue further study, for example, in teaching or social work Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.With the Careers Service, you can:access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisionsVisit the Careers Service website Further study After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:a masters degreea postgraduate diploma or certificatea PhDa second undergraduate degreeFind out about options for further study Applying How to apply This is a part-time, work-based programme. You apply to the University directly, not through UCAS. Apply for 2026 entry The application form for 2026 will be available from October 2025. Apply for 2025 entry See the applying section of the 2025 edition of this programme for information on how to apply. BA Childhood Practice 2025 entrySupport and advice for disabled students on applying to Edinburgh When to apply 2026 entry deadline: 31 March 2026 If you apply after 31 March, we may consider your application, but this is not guaranteed. Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.University accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSports clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities to daily life, including: sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include:a student counselling servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
