Psychology and Early Childhood Studies

Become a stand-out graduate by studying a course that brings together the best of Psychology and Early Childhood Studies, enhancing your analytical and people skills for a rewarding and compassionate career. You’ll be encouraged to think creatively, challenge established beliefs and develop your own research interests.

You will cover the fundamental psychological theories to explore human behaviour and development as well as gain a thorough understanding of how children develop, learn and think from a broad range of perspectives. This course offers you the opportunity to learn how to make a genuine and lasting difference to children’s lives and create a foundation for vital roles in health, education, social care, and psychology-based careers. Our focus throughout is on identifying and meeting children’s holistic needs, so you’ll consider all the challenges and opportunities faced by early years professionals working in a variety of children’s services. 

Specialist facilities

Our Psychology facilities are used for both teaching and research. They include computing labs with specialist software for designing experiments and research. You'll use a range of psychological recording equipment such as the latest eye-tracker equipment for analysing eye movement and our Babylab for ethical research with babies and young children. 

A vibrant learning experience

We pride ourselves on offering a friendly, welcoming learning environment where you will receive plenty of encouragement and guidance. Our tutors are approachable, dedicated and passionate about their subjects. For Early Childhood Studies modules, you’ll learn in our Kirtley Building which offers first-rate facilities for our Education and Childhood Studies students. It includes specially designed collaborative learning spaces and a large hall for practical activities and observing learning in action. Students will also learn off site which includes opportunities to learn off site e.g. forest school sessions.

Be inspired by our teaching team

Our Psychology and Early Childhood Studies teaching teams are experts in their field and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to your course. Our Psychology team have a history of research in a variety of fields such as mental health and wellbeing, compassion and mindfulness, autism and maths anxiety. With a team of enthusiastic and experienced lecturers and researchers, your learning will be underpinned by internationally renowned research activities and your modules will feature the latest thinking and contemporary materials.  

Accredited course*

British Psychological Society accreditation means we're delivering a high standard of psychology education. It shows we've met BPS standards for course content and design, and student development. It also means you can apply for BPS student membership. This provides:

• Access to networking opportunities  
• The BPS student online community  
• Discounts on books  
• Events and e-learning  
• Academic journals  
• The chance to transfer to graduate membership free of charge after completing your degree

You will also have the opportunity to progress to accredited postgraduate qualifications and training to gain chartered membership of the BPS.

For students to receive the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS), students need to do the following:

• Choose a Psychology major pathway with all prescribed modules  
• Obtain at least a 40% overall for the Independent Study in Psychology  
• Obtain at least a lower second-class degree 

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

For Psychology modules, you will learn from lecturers and tutors who are carrying out research designed to offer fresh perspectives on issues that are significant at every stage of life. Your lecturers bring their latest thinking to your studies. And, in some cases, you’ll have opportunities to get involved in research projects yourself. Quality inspectors have commended us for being “at the forefront of technology-enhanced learning” in Psychology. For both Psychology and Early Childhood Studies, you will be taught through lectures, seminar activities and tutorials to support you through your assessments and group work. 
 

How you are assessed

For Psychology modules, you’ll be assessed mainly through assignments, via essays, posters, presentations, and reports. You may also have to take some exams. These can include essay questions, multiple choice and short answer questions. For Early Childhood Studies modules, you’ll be assessed using case studies, essays, independent research, online tests, posters, presentations and reports. There are no exams. 

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)

2025/26

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

This degree is your chance to shape and influence many young lives. Studying Psychology opens doors to many different sectors and professions – anywhere an understanding of people is valued. Early Childhood roles is a rapidly growing area of employment with opportunities to careers in the independent, private, public or voluntary sectors.

Our graduates have gone on to successful roles in sectors such as:

• Psychological research    
• Scientific or clinical research    
• Charity leadership    
• Mental health support and management    
• Health services and therapeutic care    
• Probation service and police    
• Human resources    
• Health psychology    
• Educational psychology    
• Occupational psychology    
• Forensic psychology    
• Clinical psychology    
• Teaching

Through our Professional Development Package, you'll gain valuable transferable skills, including:

• Written and verbal communication   
• Research and analytical   
• Personal motivation, organisation and self-reflection   
• Numeracy   
• IT literacy   
• Critical awareness

If you want to become a Psychologist or progress to Postgraduate study in Psychology, we advise that you major in Psychology including all prescribed credit bearing modules. This means you will receive accreditation from the British Psychological Society.

Well qualified and dedicated early childhood professionals are in demand across health, education and social care settings. Our Early Childhood Studies graduates are now enjoying successful careers as early years practitioners and managers. You’ll also find there are ample opportunities for promotion and progression to leadership positions in children’s services. Some of our graduates have, for instance, gone on to train as children’s nurses by undertaking a shortened two-year Paediatric Nursing qualification. You can also consider our exciting range of postgraduate courses, including the MA Education or MA Social Work.

Please note that this course does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status. However, if you’d like to train to be a teacher, you will be guaranteed an interview for our PGCE Primary if you meet the entry requirements.  You could also apply to study our PGCE Post-14 (Education and Training).

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

Other courses you might like

• Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons)
• Psychology and Education Studies BA/BSc (Hons)
• Psychology BSc (Hons)
• Special Educational Needs and Disability BA (Hons)