BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education

What is the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education?

The BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education is a four year course of study. The course is designed under four important academic foundations namely, theory, practice, research and reflective integration.

Early Childhood Care and Education is aimed at producing professionally qualified graduates who can work in a range of early years' contexts, working with children up to the age of eight in both care and education settings. The course involves the study of related disciplines of early years' care, education, psychology, sociology, law and personal and professional development and supervised professional early years, practice placements.

Special Feature of BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education

Students have the opportunity to complete supervised work-based placements, one in semester three, six and eight of the course. These opportunities allow students gain valuable experience and skills in areas of care or education or both.

These placement experiences will facilitate the students' application of knowledge from the disciplines studied to professional practice. Students will conclude their fourth year with a written thesis which allows them focus on a specific area of interest to them in relation to early years' care and education.

Note: Garda clearance is required for all students taking this course

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education:

2 subjects: H5

4 subjects: O6/H7

English or Irish: O6/H7

Mathematics: O6/H7

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education:

Advanced Entry - Years 2,3,4 or 5

Non-EU Applicants

QQI FET/FETAC Entry

QQI FET Progression Entry Route

Mature Entry Route

Other Requirements for BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education:

Places are offered on the programme subject to satisfactory Garda Vetting clearance.

We offer bespoke English language programmes to international students and graduates who require additional English language support before commencing their undergraduate or postgraduate study at WIT. The aim of this programme is to assist students in:

• developing their knowledge of English for Academic Purposes
• developing their critical thinking skills
• learning to become effective self-directed learners and researchers
• enhancing their social and inter-cultural skills by integrating into student life in Ireland.

This course aims to facilitate students who wish to pursue professional careers in Early Childhood Studies contexts, and postgraduate studies in Early Childhood Studies and related disciplines.

Early Years Childcare

Early Years Education

Children's Residential Care Centres

Health Services Executive, Family Support

Children with special learning needs

Private work in the child care sector

Follow on Study for BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education graduates

Graduates may proceed to postgraduate study, either research or taught, at WIT or other third-level Colleges

• In order to make an application, you must first register and create an account with PAC.

• An application can be made by a student, or by an agent on behalf of the student.

• You will need access to a credit card to facilitate payment of the application fee of €50. You will be unable to complete the application process until payment has successfully been made.

• Upload all relevant documentation and scanned copies of your CV and Transcripts. Alternatively, you can post them to the PAC centre in Galway and they will upload them on your behalf