England

Please tell us where you live so that we can provide you with the most relevant information as you use this website.
If you are at a BFPO address please choose the country or region in which you would ordinarily be resident.
Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) Early Childhood
Fast-track your career with our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Top-up, completed in just one or two years. Designed for experienced early years practitioners, this route lets you count previous study in a relevant subject towards your degree. You’ll need a Foundation degree, Higher National Diploma or Diploma of Higher Education in Early Years/Early Childhood. Building on your prior learning and experience, you’ll advance your professional development by completing two modules covering working with children and research with children and young people. Gain your qualification faster while laying a strong foundation for a fulfilling career with young children.
Please note that in England, this course does not provide Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), nor does it meet the 'Full and Relevant' criteria of the Department for Education. In Scotland, this qualification is not equivalent to childhood practice qualifications and is not suitable for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a support worker, practitioner, lead practitioner, or manager.
This early years top-up degree has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
Your existing study makes up Stages 1 and 2. In Stage 3, you’ll study two 60-credit modules: one exploring how childhood, youth, parenting, and families are shaped by society, including key issues such as inequality, diversity, and wellbeing; and a final one introducing research methods and analytical techniques relating to children and young people, completing your qualification.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Young lives, parenting and families (KE322)60Oct
Contemporary research with children and young people (E320)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, structured distance-learning materials, online tutorials, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Early Childhood upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stage 3.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as one year and have a maximum of 4 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in one year by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in two years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
To be eligible for this top-up route, you must:
If you are ineligible for this top-up route, you may apply to transfer credits from your previous study towards our BA (Hons) Early Childhood (Q89) or BA (Hons) Education Studies (Primary) (Q94).
Accepted qualifications:
Accepted subjects:
Holders of qualifications in related subjects may be eligible, but please note they must carry 240 credits. Contact us at [email protected] for advice.

2 years
£4,088*
A top-up degree is worth 120 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 2 years.
£8,176*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
The application deadline to start in October 2026 is 29th August 2026. We are unable to accept applications received after this date.
To apply, you will need to download an application form. This form also contains guidance on the supporting documentation you will need to provide.
If you hold the Foundation Degree in Early Years or the Diploma of Higher Education in Childhood Practice from the OU, you do not need to complete the application form. Instead, you can register by emailing the Partnerships Team at [email protected].
This degree is designed to contribute to the development of a highly skilled and effective workforce and to integrated coherent services for children. In addition to specialist knowledge and understanding of early childhood, it emphasises independent thinking, develops analytical and communication skills and will help you become a clear and confident writer – all attributes that are highly valued by employers.
You will acquire a broad set of employability skills, including:
This BA (Hons) Early Childhood is an excellent foundation for entry to a range of careers working with and for young children and their families. If you are already in employment the degree may enable you to access a management role. You should be aware this is a practice-focused not practice-based qualification with no elements of observed and assessed practice, and as such, it is not considered full and relevant for the purpose of counting in staff:child ratios within an early years setting.
The degree is also suitable for those wanting to move into careers in teaching, health or social work. Please note that GCSE passes at Grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths are normally required for post-graduate study and for teaching a GCSE Grade 4 (C) pass in Science is also a requirement.
The BA (Hons) Early Childhood may be helpful if you’re interested in further training for Early Years Initial Teacher Training (Early Years Teacher Status – Birth to 5) or postgraduate qualifications in primary teaching with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). However, we cannot guarantee automatic progression to initial teacher education (ITE). Check with your local ITE training provider about their entry policy. For up-to-date information see the Department for Education website in England; the Teach in Scotland website in Scotland; and the Teacher Training & Education in Wales website. More information can also be found about routes to entering teaching by downloading our Becoming a teacher booklet.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree):
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
content