Early Childhood Education & CareCúram agus Oideachas Luath-Óige

If you’re interested in working with children and finding out how they develop and learn, are eager to study different cultures, languages and diversity in the world, and enthusiastic about making a difference in children’s lives, this course will suit you. It explores the varied approaches to early childhood education and care, including child development, child psychology, sociology of childhood, art, drama and music, equality, diversity and inclusion, language acquisition, health and well-being, and safeguarding children. You’ll gain insights into outdoor learning and risky play through our purpose-built outdoor classroom. You’ll be able to apply and adapt your learning in the realistic setting of our dedicated early-childhood practice room. In Year 4, you’ll can specialise in areas such as Creative Interventions; Children's Rights; Curriculum Design, and Leadership, Management and Mentoring.

The course includes practical and creative projects, engaging in the local community, debates, presentations and reflective journals. The course will develop your competencies across key national and international frameworks.

This course is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review Level 7 and Level 8 degree courses for the Early Learning and Care Sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.

Work Placement

There are two 12-week work placements, in Year 2, Semester 1 and Year 3, Semester 1.

Professional Accreditation

This course is recognised by the Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB).

IT Requirements

Students on this course will be required to have a medium spec computer/laptop (i.e. able to run Win 10, an AV solution and Office comfortably. It should be able to use Wi-fi and camera in order to attend online classes, and use other software such as SPSS, Adobe Connect; e.g. Latitude 5510; Latitude 5410;

Please search for the TU Dublin offer on the HEA website www.heanet.ie/store

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.0 overall (or equivalent).

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin see www.tudublin.ie/gardavetting 

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

View Sample Timetable:

• Tallaght
• Blanchardstown

Early Childhood Care and Education Educator in:

• Pre-schools
• Crèches
• Montessori
• Primary Schools
• Community Centres
• Early Intervention Projects
• Establish your own Business

Irish/EU Applicants

Applications from all Irish/EU citizens are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

The standard closing date to apply is February 1st. Late applications will close on May 1st. For restricted courses, the closing date is February 1st. Please see important dates on the CAO website. For a detailed guide on how to apply, please visit our CAO Hub.

International Students (Non-EU) 

Applications from international students are welcome for this programme. If you meet any of the following criteria, applications should be made directly to TU Dublin via the “Apply Now – Non-EU” link on each programme webpage.

• You hold Non-EU Nationality, and you live in a Non-EU country.
• You hold EU Nationality, but you have not lived in an EU country for 3 of the last 5 years AND you have not attended 5 years primary/secondary education in an EU country.
• You require a Student Visa to study in Ireland

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

For full details on How to Apply, Visa & Immigration Information, Accommodation Information and International Fees, please visit our International Hub.

Application Dates for Non-EU Applicants

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing September 2025 are now closed.

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing in September 2026 will open in November 2025. Applications will close in June 2026.

Advanced entry applications are currently not accepted to this course.

The best thing about this course is the strong link between practice and theory. There is a specific room set up to resemble an early years classroom which is regularly used in different modules. In Year 2 and Year 3 students go on work placement for 12 weeks. During this time students are able to practice what they have been learning and talking about in college. Placement also provides students with the experience of working in early childhood settings in many different areas.

On graduation, you may continue to postgraduate study at TU Dublin or elsewhere.