Early Years & 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.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish. Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Other Language O6/H7
Students are subject to Garda vetting.
Students are subject to Fitness to Practise policy.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Several pathways from the degree provide opportunities in the following fields:
Early years care and education professional
National school teaching
Social work
Youth and community work
Speech and language therapy
Play specialist
Guidance counselling
Audiology
Occupational Therapy
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.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 10
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 101
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
This was one of the first degree courses of its kind in Ireland and pioneered the development of Early Years and Childhood Studies as a distinct speciality with distinctive careers.
This four-year degree will expose you to interdisciplinary perspectives from the Schools of Applied Psychology, Applied Social Studies and Education, with input from Music, Drama and Theatre Studies; Occupational Therapy; and Physical Education and Sport Studies.
The curriculum emphasises academic theory, research skills, and professional and reflective practice. It includes a broad range of perspectives on childhood, the child in society, child development, early years care and education, and child health.
Supervised work-based placements in diverse childhood-related settings form an integral part of this course. You will undertake a 13-week placement in both Years 2 and 3 of the course and a one-week on-site placement in Year 4. The professional practice placements provide opportunities for you to apply the theories you have learned, and to experience working with children under the guidance of expert practitioners.
This course is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (Expert reviewers of Level 7 and Level 8 degree programmes for the Early Years and Care Sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
-Identify, explore, and apply skills required in working with children within early years settings.
-Demonstrate the confidence and competence to work with children and young people.
-Develop and integrate the skills to plan and implement a research project.
-Critically appraise theory and research in psychology, social studies, and education as they relate to childhood and practice in applied settings.
-Display knowledge of the professional and ethical issues that may arise in the application of psychology, social studies and education in child-centred research and practice in a variety of contexts.
-Apply theories from applied social studies, applied psychology, and education, to critically examine early years and childhood policies and practices nationally and internationally.
Modules Year 1 (All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated):
AP1022 Social Psychology
AP1023 Lifespan Development
AP1123 Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology
AP1504 Research Methods for Evidence-Informed Professionals
ED1010 Historical Developments in the Irish Education Sector
ED1012 Early Years and Childhood Studies: Pedagogical Principles and Practices
ED1015 Early Years and Childhood Play and Pedagogy
ED1016 Infant, Toddler and Childhood Health, Development and Safety
MU1012 Creative Practice in Music in Early Years Childhood Settings
SS1019 Children's Social and Cultural Worlds
SS1020 Social Policy and Society (10 Credits)
Year 1 provides a foundation through class-based lectures and tutorials in 11 modules and includes professional workshops.
Year 2* builds on Year 1 through exploration of key perspectives and skills preparation Semester 1 across 7 modules; You will have your first professional placement in Semester 2. Modules include the following areas:
Early Years and Childhood Health and Wellbeing Project; Drama Practice in Early Years and Childhood Settings; The Curriculum in Special Needs Education; Physical Activity and Childhood Development; Practice Preparation and Placement Year 2; Child Care Policy: Contemporary Issues; Play Provision for Inclusion in Early Childhood.
Year 3* includes your final professional placement in Semester 1; and the interrogation of critical issues in Semester 2 across seven modules including the following areas:
Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence; Child and Family Health Psychology; Educational Leadership in the Early Years Setting; Early Years and Childhood Education: Policy, Planning and Practice; Placement Year 3; Qualitative Research Methods with Children; Diversity and Gender in Childhood.
Year 4 includes advanced inquiry and critical reflection on Early Years and Childhood Studies in seven modules and the development and demonstration of key research skills together with a Research report and modules in the following areas:
Applied Quantitative Research Methods; Applied Developmental Psychology; Special Educational Needs: Aetiology, Assessment, and Intervention; Contemporary Developments in Early Years and Childhood Experience; Science, Technology and Sustainability in Early Education; Working with Children and Families; Group Dynamics and Teamwork; Early Years Research Report.
*You will undertake a 13-week placement in both Years 2 and 3 of this course and a one-week on-site placement in Year 4.
Prof Deirdre Horgan
D.Horgan@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 3443
https://www.ucc.ie/en/education/
Dr Shirley Martin
S.Martin@ucc.ie
https://www.ucc.ie/en/education/