Childhood Education, Bachelor of Arts

Admission requirements

Admission to the degree programme in Early Childhood Education is granted to those who meet one of the following requirements:

• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
• Advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife)
• Successfully passed master craftsman examination
• Intermediate school leaving certificate (at least Realschulabschluss) and a qualified completion of a recognised vocational training programme lasting at least 3 years, which shows an average/overall or final grade of 2.5 or better (if these grades are not indicated, the arithmetic mean of the individual subject grades applies)
• Completion of a vocational advancement training of at least 400 teaching hours at a technical school or vocational or administrative academy*
• Final examination in a state-recognised training occupation followed by at least 2 years of professional experience related to the degree programme and passing a separate university entrance examination*

*In accordance with the regulation on the admission of professionally qualified applicants to universities in the State of Hesse.

For foreign qualifications, equivalence must be demonstrated for admission.

Further information on specific qualifications is gladly provided upon request. Applicants who do not meet the aforementioned requirements may initially participate in the programme as guest auditors if admission to the HZB examination is granted.

Your questions, further information on admission requirements as well as detailed advice on specific qualifications will gladly be provided upon request by the student advisory services of DIPLOMA Hochschule.

Details

The care and early childhood education of children is one of the central educational tasks, as the first years of life are particularly important. Early childhood pedagogy therefore plays a socially significant role in the upbringing of children up to ten years old. It imparts essential competencies, influences the development of children in problem families, supports the early formation of skills, and reduces cultural differences. In crèches, kindergartens, youth groups, as well as for inclusion, care, and additional educational offers, early childhood pedagogy provides an important foundation for working with children.

The practice-oriented degree programme "Early Childhood Pedagogy" (B.A.) at DIPLOMA Hochschule provides you with scientific foundations and concepts to be competent and successful in the diverse field of work as an early childhood educator. During your studies, you will learn the scientific and methodological basics for your work with children. You will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills that qualify you for specialist and leadership roles as well as for activities in initial, further, and continuing education, advising, and management. You will become familiar with the basics and analysis of developmental and educational processes of children. In doing so, you will particularly acquire competencies in the areas of language, mathematical/scientific education, as well as health and environmental education. Besides the pedagogical qualifications, you will gain the abilities to work scientifically, conduct research, and evaluate projects and processes.

During your studies, you will expand your knowledge and professional core competencies in fields including:

• General basics of early childhood pedagogy
• Action competence: stimulating children's play activities
• Professionalisation: biography and quality
• Transitions and fields of action of early childhood pedagogy in school contexts

Course progression
At DIPLOMA Hochschule, you have the option to study the Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Pedagogy in one of four variants: as an online degree, as a distance learning on site, as a face-to-face degree, or as a dual study programme.

The face-to-face degree is available at our DIPLOMA Hochschule locations in Leipzig and Bad Sooden-Allendorf and usually lasts six semesters in the standard study period. In the classic university of applied sciences programme, you attend lectures, seminars, and exercises on campus from Monday to Friday in person. The entire learning achievement comprises 180 ECTS (Credit Points).

Costs & Registration
The face-to-face degree begins once a year in the winter semester (October).

You can choose between different study and financing models. For example, the instalment model 3, with €215.00 per month and a term of 72 months. You can find the degree programme on the Early Childhood Pedagogy course page.