BA EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING & LEARNING (FULL TIME)

If your ambition is to be an outstanding early childhood educator, this progressive 4-year full-time degree is ideal for you.

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Qualification
Bachelor Of Arts Degree
CAO Points
366
CAO/MU Apply code
MH003
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

Choose this progressive, full time, level 8, honours degree, if your ambition is to enter the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector as an outstanding early childhood educator.

As a Leaving Certificate, further education or mature student applicant, you can choose to graduate with a level 7 qualification after third year or a level 8 qualification after fourth year.

If you are currently working in the ECEC sector, you may be interested in the flexible BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning (MH004).

The programme is closely linked with ECEC practice, and staff are experienced in the development, delivery and advocacy of early childhood education and care.

Work placements take place in Tusla-notified ECEC settings.

This degree offers graduates the option of progressing their careers in Early Childhood Education and Care in varied professional roles.

As the Froebel Department is named after the famous educational philosopher, Friedrich Froebel, our programmes reflect his ideology. This means we incorporate active, child-centred, and practical approaches to our teaching and learning.

Course structure

Duration: 4 years full-time

This full-time degree will prepare you for a range of leadership roles in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector. Lectures are 3 days a week and students spend 2 days a week in settings (for example, in 2025-2026 lectures took place Tuesday - Thursday and placement was either Monday or Friday).

Additionally, there are a number of Block Placements throughout the academic year.

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.

Year 1

ED1TSM - Early Childhood Teaching & Learning

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Early Childhood Teaching & Learning modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EDC115

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC116

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC112

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC114

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC113

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC117

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC118

20

Year-Long

Y

EDC111

10

Year-Long

Y

Year 2

ED2TSM - Early Childhood Teaching & Learning

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Early Childhood Teaching & Learning modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EDC213

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC216

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC217

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC215

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC212

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC214

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC218

20

Year-Long

Y

EDC211

10

Year-Long

Y

Year 3

ED3TSM - Early Childhood Teaching & Learning

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Early Childhood Teaching & Learning modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EDC315

5

1

Y

EDC312

5

2

N

EDC318

20

Year-Long

Y

EDC311

10

Year-Long

Y

EDC316

5

1

Y

EDC313

5

1

Y

EDC397

15

2

N

EDC395

15

2

N

EDC396

15

2

N

EDC398

15

2

N

EDC317

5

2

N

EDC314

5

2

N

Year 4

ED4TSM - Early Childhood Teaching & Learning

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Early Childhood Teaching & Learning modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EDC414

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC416

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC413

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC412

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC417

5

Year-Long

Y

EDC418

20

Year-Long

Y

EDC411

10

Year-Long

Y

EDC415

5

Year-Long

Y

After Graduation

Graduates emerge as early years teaching professionals in Ireland and positions them to spearhead and lead learning in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. The degree may also provide opportunities to work in early childhood settings internationally.

Career progression within this sector, for those with a level 7 or level 8 early childhood degree, is expanding rapidly within and beyond ECEC settings, to include opportunities in:

  • policy development and evaluation agencies
  • government departments
  • semi-state bodies
  • non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
  • Graduates may also take up roles with local development agencies within the early childhood sector both nationally and internationally.
  • Postgraduate study in a range of areas including primary education.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish & English.

DARE

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is an alternative entry route to third level education for school-leavers whose disability affected their second level education.

HEAR

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a pathway to third level education for school-leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information on these access routes.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.

Entry requirements table

Subject

Required

Ordinary Level Grade

Higher Level Grade

Irish

Yes

O6

H7

English

Yes

O6

H7

Language

No

N/A

N/A

Mathematics

No

N/A

N/A

Science

No

N/A

N/A

* This course requires 4 additional subjects.

  1. EU / EFTA Applicants - Further information can be found by navigating to our EU/EFTA applicant information page
  2. International Applicants - International (Non-EU) applicants for undergraduate programmes submit their application online via our online application portal. Applications open on 14th October 2026 and close on 1st July 2027. For further information, please navigate to our International applicant page

Mature applicant information

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry.

For part-time degrees the mature age is 21.

Visit our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on this page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) and require support for any required written exercise/interview/online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2027. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

Visit the Access Office for more information on available supports and required documentation.

Mature applicant deadline: 01 February 2026

National Vetting Bureau

Offers of places on this programme are subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.

How to apply

Apply online to the CAO (Central Applications Office)

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry/21 years if part-time)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students

Learn more about undergraduate applications and access routes.

Got a question about this course?

Maynooth University Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education
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