Early Years and Childhood Studies

There is growing recognition that Early Years and Childhood Studies is a distinctive specialty with its own career pathways. This was one of the first degree courses of its kind in Ireland and has pioneered the development of this speciality.

It will offer you the opportunity to explore some of the most fundamental questions concerning children, young people, and their families in contemporary society in Ireland and beyond.

It attracts both school-leavers, mature students, and international students and is designed for people working towards careers in services for children, young people, and their families. It caters to the demand for highly qualified early years and childhood professionals, while also developing future researchers in the field.

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.

Several pathways from the degree provide opportunities in the following fields:

Graduates have secured employment as managers of early childhood care and education centres, supervisors and staff, play therapists, primary school teachers, social workers, youth and community workers and disability nurses, among other roles.