Childhood Practice BA (Hons)
Course code X310
What is special about this course?
This fully-online honours degree offers practitioners in a wide range of childhood practice settings the opportunity to gain the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) recognised qualification to be a lead practitioner.
You will have the opportunity to relate theory to real working practice and investigate, in-depth, an area of interest to you.
The course is designed to meet the Scottish subject benchmark statement, the Standard for Childhood Practice.
On successful completion of the course, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge to move on to a lead practitioner role. Similarly, you will be well equipped to take further professional qualifications or a PGDE.
Special features
- The course offers flexible study routes which are based on previous qualifications and relevant workplace experience
- On completion of the ordinary degree (BA) you will gain the SSSC recognised qualification to be a lead practitioner
- The course meets the Scottish benchmark statement: the Standard for Childhood Practice
- The course offers the opportunity for you to specialise in areas of personal/professional interest
- Modules focus on practical skills in the workplace and offer you an opportunity to link your developing professional practice with theory, current policy and legislation
- The course is delivered entirely online and can be studied from anywhere in Scotland
Entry requirements
- You must have at least two years work experience in an appropriate setting PLUS
- A recognised SSSC practitioner qualification such as HNC Childhood Practice OR
- A relevant SCQF level 7 qualification, for example: Social Services: Children and Young People; Children’s Care Learning and Development/Playwork; or equivalent. For applicants without sufficient credits, modules are available to help you reach the required level
- You must be employed within a relevant workplace environment
- To complete Level 9 modules, you must have access to leadership activities/experiences
- You may be required to attend a guidance interview, in person or by telephone, to discuss the course in detail and to explain the method of teaching
- Alternative entry will be considered based on relevant professional qualifications recognised by SSSC plus appropriate experience
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
Year 1 - DipHE
Core subjects include:
- Assuring quality in a childhood practice setting (S2)
- Collaboration and reflective practice childhood practice (S1)
- Developing leadership capacity in childhood practice (S1)
- Practitioner research in childhood practice (S2)
You will also choose two option modules which may include:
- Adolescence: development and individual differences
- Care and control
- Health psychology
- Individual society and health continuum
- Mentoring in education and childcare
- Play and childhood
- Principles and foundations of health promotion
- Providing a curriculum for life
- Recognising and challenging discrimination and disadvantage
- Specialist provision
- The enquiring student (mandatory option)
- Working in partnership
- Youth behaviour and society
Year 2 - BA
Core subjects include:
- Contemporary issues in childhood practice (S1)
- Co-ordination, partnership and integration in childhood practice (S1 + S2)
- Developing a childhood workplace project (S1)
- Leading change in childhood practice (S2)
- Leading a childhood practice workplace project (S2)
- Promoting children’s rights and inclusion in childhood practice (S1 + S2)
Year 3 - BA (Hons)
Core subjects are:
- Comparative childcare: a European perspective (S1)
- Dissertation (S1 and S2)
- Professional reflection (S1)
You will also choose two option modules which may include:
- Childhood and adolescent mental health
- Comparative health studies
- Developmental disorders
- Disability and society
- Food and behaviour
- Globalised view of childcare
- Insider and outsiders
- Personal and professional reflection
- Psychopathology mental health and wellbeing
- Research with children and young people
- The UNCRC: Investigating exploitation, youth justice and education
How will I study my course?
- Part-time
- You will study fully online, with no scheduled sessions or tutorials
- Optional support sessions will be offered on each module
- This is a work-based qualification for those already in relevant employment in the sector: learning happens in the workplace and is supported by block-release delivery, giving you time outside of your work environment to undertake certain elements of the course
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will take part in a mandatory online induction in August (for a September start) or January(for a January start)
How long will my course last?
Duration of course is decided for each individual based on RPL at course entry
- Part-time: typically 4-5 years @ 10-12 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Perth
- Shetland
Start date
- September
- January
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) without a term-time address in Scotland,i.e. studying from their home country, or assessed as RUK fee status, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £3,060 | £3,210 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £1,020 | £1,070 |
All fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
This course is not available to students domiciled outside of the UK or for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here.. For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, the following fees will apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2024-24 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £3,480 | £3,540 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £1,160 | £1,180 |
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your ordinary degree BA Childhood Practice course, you will have gained a qualification recognised by the Scottish Social Service Council for Lead Practitioner in a wide range of day care and children's services settings. In addition, it will also provide valuable CPD for those working in the sector
- SVQ assessor
- Childhood practice manager
- Roles in local and national childcare initiatives
- Teacher training
- Early learning and childcare tutor
- Care inspectorate
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BA (Hons) Childhood Practice to the following University of the Highlands and Island's postgraduate course:
- PGDE Primary Teaching (you will need English at Higher level or equivalent, plus Maths at Intermediate 2 or equivalent)
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
UHI’s proximity to home and the perfect course for me made it my number one choice in where I wished to study. The online BA (Hons) Childhood Practice degree was the perfect course for me as it provided me the flexibility I needed to balance my academic studies with my professional and personal commitments.
The online delivery did not compromise the sense of connection or support; staff were approachable and responsive, and I felt part of a learning community. I always felt secure in the knowledge that should I have needed it, I was always welcome to go onto the campus for support too.
My studies at UHI have played a significant role in shaping and supporting my career. The knowledge and practical experience I gained throughout my time with UHI provided me with a strong foundation in child development, safeguarding and professional practice. These core elements have been essential in every childcare role I’ve had since. Through my educational experiences I have been able to apply what I was learning in real-world provisions.
The supportive environment at UHI both academically and personally helped me grow into the professional I now am. I developed key skills such as communication, organisation and reflective practice, all of which have been crucial in my current role.
My favourite thing about UHI is the supportive and approachable nature of all the staff members! Throughout my studies, I’ve always felt that the staff genuinely care about their students success, both academically and personally. Their encouragement and guidance made a real difference to me. UHI has provided me with a positive, inclusive and supportive learning environment that has been key to both my personal and professional development.
My experience at UHI has truly been life-changing. What stands out the most is the sense of belonging and encouragement I felt throughout my time with UHI. From my very first year on the NC course to graduating with my honours, I’ve felt consistently supported, valued and inspired. Looking back, I am incredibly proud of how far I have come, and eternally grateful to UHI for being such a big part of that journey.
Kayleigh studied the NC Childhood Practice before progressing onto the BA (Hons) Childhood Practice at UHI Perth.
I had tremendous support throughout my degree. This support was invaluable to get me through my degree. From academic support to support personally, this is what helped me through. Studying my degree really helped me in my career. It gave me the confidence to carry out the role I am in. I gained an insight into understanding aspects of childcare and what guidance is out there to support practitioners and managers in their role.
The best thing about UHI is the support from both students and staff! Your fellow students are one of the best resources you have and being able to support each other through this is something I won't forget. UHI has been with me from access course to degree and will always be the first place I recommend to anyone wanting to learn. It felt personal and friendly and I’m not sure I would get that at any other different university.
Liam studied the BA Childhood Practice at UHI Perth.
The BA (Hons) Childhood Practice has been one of the best experiences I have had in relation to my career in childcare and beyond. The learning is delivered fully online with high-quality materials and tutor support. I developed skills beyond the course by creating an online community through WhatsApp groups for each module where students can chat and share knowledge.
The networking opportunities are fantastic when you study with UHI as students are based in partner campuses all over Scotland and learning from each other has been another enjoyable part of the experience. The skills gained through this course have given me the confidence to take on my role as a Senior Early Years Practitioner and for the future to secure managerial or tutor roles. I would highly recommend choosing to study with UHI!
Jenny studied the BA Childhood Practice at UHI Moray.
Apply for Childhood Practice BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.