BA (Hons) Childhood Practice at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

A fully online honours degree for practitioners in childhood practice settings, leading to the SSSC-recognised qualification to be a lead practitioner and designed to meet the Standard for Childhood Practice. Students relate theory to real working practice and investigate an area of interest in depth.

Duration: Part-time: 4-5 years | Intake: September and January | Study mode: part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 (DipHE) covers Assuring quality in childhood practice settings, Collaboration and reflection, Developing leadership capacity and Practitioner research, plus two options; year 2 (BA) covers Contemporary issues, Leading change, Developing and leading professional enquiry and Promoting children's rights and inclusion; year 3 (BA Hons) includes Comparative childcare: a European perspective, a dissertation and Professional ethics and reflection plus two options.

Career pathways

Lead practitioner roles in day care and children's services, SVQ assessor, childhood practice manager, roles in local and national childcare initiatives, teacher training, early learning and childcare tutor and Care Inspectorate; progression to PGDE Primary Teaching.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

At least two years' work experience in an appropriate setting plus either a recognised SSSC practitioner qualification such as HNC Childhood Practice, or a relevant SCQF level 7 qualification such as Social Services: Children and Young People, or equivalent. Applicants must be employed in a relevant workplace in Scotland and have access to leadership activities for level 9 modules. A guidance interview may be required. Alternative entry is considered based on SSSC-recognised professional qualifications plus experience. From September 2027, direct entry to year 2 may be possible with HNC Childhood Practice plus two years' work experience.

Domestic applicants: GBP 915 a year (2026/27). Scotland-domiciled, part-time structured (3 x 20-credit modules) per year. Source

Intake: September and January

Duration: Part-time: 4-5 years

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