Sociology and Early Childhood Studies at Derby
Explore how society is developed, changed and empowered while exploring the context of early childhood in relation to advocacy, sustainability, and agency.
You will have the opportunity to take critical insight and apply it to life as it is lived today. You’ll learn to identify and propose solutions to issues of equality, opportunity and understanding against a range of social settings.
You will develop a broad knowledge base of theory and practice within the field of early childhood education and care, focussing on conception to the age of eight. This degree aims to develop your academic, critical and practical skills in a range of professional services related to early childhood in the disciplines of health, education and social care.
Put theory into practice
Real-world experience is embedded into your degree, so you’ll graduate with valuable experience in your field to add to your CV before you graduate. You could take a Sociology placement year between the second and third year of your degree, and our Early Childhood Studies modules have the option of completing assessed placement experiences within a diverse range of provisions.
Make a difference to society
At Derby, our Sociology modules cover theory, ways of finding evidence, and how we can use these to promote social justice in business, politics and the public sector in addition to our daily lives. You will develop the skills, insights and ambition to not just understand the complexity of modern societies but to intervene in them and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Our Early Childhood Studies modules seek to meet the demand for the provision of integrated services for young children and their families. We aim to empower our graduates to act as agents for change, advocating for equality, diversity, and social justice through their professional roles across a range of sectors.
Choose your pathway
Studying a Sociology and Early Childhood Studies Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally.
You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally.
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 your Sociology modules you’ll be taught through:
- lectures
- seminars
- multimedia presentations
- online collaboration
- guest lectures
- class debates
For your Early Childhood Studies modules you’ll be taught through:
- lectures
- seminar activities
- tutorials to support you through your assessments and group work
How you are assessed
For your Sociology modules you will be assessed through a broad range of methods which allows you to demonstrate your individual strengths and abilities. These include:
- essays
- case studies
- project work
- group work presentations
- online discussions
For your Early Childhood Studies modules you’ll be assessed using:
- case studies
- essays
- independent research
- online tests
- posters, presentations and reports.
There are no exams.
Who will teach you
You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 112 |
| A Level | BBC |
| T Level | Merit |
| BTEC | DMM |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
2025 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 112 |
| A Level | BBC |
| T Level | Merit |
| BTEC | DMM |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
2024/25
| | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,250 per year | N/A |
| International | £14,900 per year | N/A |
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Due to the broad nature of Sociology, you’ll be well prepared for a range of roles within different sectors that value critical thinking, analytical skills and research abilities. Our graduates have used their degree to become teachers, lecturers, social workers, probation officers, civil servants, social researchers, business owners, marketers, counsellors, charity workers, and community officers – to name but a few roles. They have also found work in retail management, public relations, banking, welfare advice, accountancy and systems analysis.
Our Early Childhood Studies graduates enter a diverse range of roles within the early childhood sector. Well-qualified and dedicated early childhood professionals are in demand across health, education and social care settings. Our graduates are now enjoying successful careers as early years practitioners and managers.
Careers and Employment Service
Our Careers and Employment Service can help you boost your employment skills by connecting you with employers for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. They can also offer guidance on career options, CV writing, or starting your own business.
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.
Contact us Contact us 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.
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. 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.
