Course Title: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education
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Early Childhood Education (ECE) generally refers to education before the start of primary school attendance (0-6 years in Ireland). Services include pre-schools, Naíonraí, specific intervention centres such as community support preschools, Barnardo's childcare services, Focus Ireland support services, crèches, child-minding and after-school groups.
The early years are well recognised by legislators, policymakers, educationalists and researchers as a critical period in children’s learning and development.
The ECE professional needs to understand many facets of the child’s learning and development and the role of early education and care in promoting the best outcomes for children.
Professional Accreditation
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.
Study Abroad Opportunities
You can apply to take part in an Erasmus exchange in the Year 2.
Work Placement
There is a work placement of 100 hours in Year 1, 300 hours in Year 2 and Year 3 and 100 hours in Year 4.
Leaving Certificate Requirements
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Minimum Number of |
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Subjects |
Higher |
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6 |
2 H5's |
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Minimum Grade in |
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Maths |
English OR Irish |
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O6/H7 |
O6/H7 |
QQI/FET Requirements
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QQI/FET Award Required |
Additional Requirements |
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Level 5:
One of the following awards:
Level 6:
Full award in a relevant discipline
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A distinction in 6 modules is required |
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
Additional Requirements
First Aid training is mandatory for all First-Year students on this course. It will be arranged by the School at a cost of approximately €100 per student. Please note that first aid fees are not covered by SUSI grants.
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 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.
Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin see www.tudublin.ie/gardavetting
Graduates work as practitioners and managers in early years settings such as crèches, day nurseries, preschools, after-school services, special education services, early-start classrooms and family centres, as well as in project development and management positions in the Health Service Executive, county childcare committees and public and voluntary organisations.
- Childcare Management
- Child & Family Support Worker
- Working with children who have additional needs
- Childcare Supervisor – Housing Association
- Course Co-Ordinator – QQI Levels 5 & 6 Childcare
- City/ County Childcare Committee
- School Completion Officer
- Tusla and Early Years inspector
- Community Work
- Research
- Policy Development
- NGO’s and statutory organisations
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
Semester 1
- Child Health & Nutrition [Mandatory]
- Drama in Education [Mandatory]
- Introduction to Art in Early Education [Mandatory]
- Principles of Pedagogy [Mandatory]
- Professional Practice in Early Childhood Education [Mandatory]
- Psychology and Child Development [Mandatory]
- Skills Development [Mandatory]
- Supervised Practice Placement: Developing as an Early Childhood Educator [Mandatory]
Semester 2
- Psychology and Child Development [Mandatory]
- Child Health & Nutrition [Mandatory]
- Drama in Education [Mandatory]
- Supervised Practice Placement: Developing as an Early Childhood Educator [Mandatory]
- Understanding Social Policy [Mandatory]
- Professional Practice in Early Childhood Education [Mandatory]
- Aistear and Early years curricula [Mandatory]
Semester 1
- Child Development in Context [Mandatory]
- Inclusion in Early Years Practice [Mandatory]
- Supervised Practice Placement: The Skilled Early Childhood Educator [Mandatory]
- Drama, Music and Movement [Mandatory]
- Language, Literacy and Numeracy [Mandatory]
- Sociological Foundations [Mandatory]
Semester 2
- Art in Early Education 2 [Elective]
- Cultural and Linguistic Diversity [Elective]
- Inclusion in Early Years Practice 2 [Elective]
- Outdoor Learning [Elective]
- Research Methods in the Early Years [Elective]
- Study Abroad [Elective]
- Supervised Practice Placement: The Competent Early Childhood Educator [Elective]
Semester 1
- LAW [Mandatory]
- Supervised Practice Placement: The Reflective Educator [Mandatory]
- Child Safeguarding [Mandatory]
- Pedagogical and Practice Documentation [Mandatory]
- Leadership & Mentoring Skills [Mandatory]
Semester 2
- Mental Health during the Early Years [Mandatory]
- Research Methods: Documenting Young Children's Meanings [Mandatory]
- Sociology of Education and Inequality [Mandatory]
- Working with Families & Communities [Mandatory]
- Supervised Practice Placement: The Reflective Educator [Mandatory]
- Perspectives on Early Childhood Education: Issues in policy, practice and research [Mandatory]
- Pedagogical and Practice Documentation [Mandatory]
Semester 1
- Digital Childhoods [Mandatory]
- Early Years and School-Age childcare – Pedagogy and Curriculum [Mandatory]
- Research methods [Mandatory]
- Therapeutic Skills with Young Children and Families [Mandatory]
- Children's rights and advocacy in the early years sector [Mandatory]
- Supervised practice placement 4 [Mandatory]
Semester 2
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.
In Year 1 & 2 of the course I kept busy by joining the Volunteering Society and took part in Outreach trips in Malawi, Africa with the organisation Wells for Zoe. It was an unforgettable learning experience and I have great memories from it. In Year 3 we were given the opportunity to visit the Outdoor Preschools in Norway, and it was so much fun. During my 3 years in TU Dublin, the tutors were very knowledgeable and were always really helpful.
I left TU Dublin with my degree, great memories and the best friends. Since graduating, I first worked as a Senior Nursery Nurse in an ECCE and Afterschool room, and was then promoted to Deputy Manager, and I love it… Holding a degree in Early Childhood Education is so valuable; you can see it is what childcare providers are really looking for these days so the degree has really set me off on the right road for my career.