Online MA Early Childhood Education | Walbrook

Get your Master’s in Early Childhood Education, the Walbrook Way

Study 100% online, from anywhere
- Graduate in as little as 1 year.
- Start any month from September 2026.
- Competitive tuition – £6,960 total.
12th in UK for employment and further study
- Beating Russell Group unis on career outcomes*
- Shaped by practice, grounded in research.
- Career support and a 24/7 job portal.
For educators balancing work, home and life
- Study flexibly within a weekly structure.
- Flex between full and part-time.
- Online learning for busy educators.

MA Early Childhood Education online degree

The earliest years of a child's life shape everything that follows. Which is why young people deserve early years educators who will ask: what works for this child, in this educational setting, and why? Only 24% of teachers feel the professional development they receive adequately considers students’ needs (The Teacher Development Trust, 2025). This MA Early Childhood Education helps you deepen your practice and make more informed decisions for the children you support.

Why this master's degree?

There's demand for specialist expertise in early years development, pedagogy, curriculum and policy.
Designed for early years leaders, teachers and practitioners ready to progress inspired to change children's lives.
Created in London, by educators advising UNESCO, ministries, and global organisations.

Headshot of Prof Robert White with the quote "Education shapes futures. It requires careful thought and a commitment to the human beings at the centre of it all. This programme gives you the space to explore that."

Your online MA Early Childhood Education degree at a glance

Location:

‣ 100% Online, distance learning

Start dates:

‣ Start any month from September 2026

Duration:

‣ Full-time: 1 year or 13 months

‣ Part-time: 2 years

Tuition fees and funding:

‣ Total programme cost is £6,960

‣ Secure your place by paying for your first one or two modules, depending on whether you choose full-time or part-time study.

Entry requirements:

‣ 2:2 honours degree and above (or equivalent)

‣ Alternatively, you can apply with 2+ years’ relevant professional experience in one or more education-related roles.

Tuition fees for your online MA Early Childhood Education degree

The prices shown below are for our online MA Education degrees only. They are inclusive of your first module(s) payment and don't include any reductions.

Total programme cost
Full-time: 1 year or 13 months | Part-time: 2 years

£6,960
in total
You'll study 10x 15-credit modules and 1x 30-credit Dissertation module in total (approx. 17-30 hrs/week).
Apply now
Cost per module
Full-time: 1 year or 13 months | Part-time: 2 years

£580
per 15-credit module
You'll study 10x 15-credit modules. Your final 30-credit Dissertation module will be charged at £1,280.
Apply now

Total tuition fees: £6,960.  You can pay for your MA Early Childhood Education degree per module, or in full before you start your studies. 

If you choose to pay in full, you’ll receive a 15% reduction on your total tuition fees.

If you choose to pay per module, your payment schedule will depend on whether you choose full or part-time study:

If you apply as a full-time student, you’ll need to pay for two modules upfront to confirm your place, then continue to pay in two-module instalments as you progress.
If you apply as a part-time student, you’ll pay for one module upfront, then continue to pay per module before each one begins.

If you’re a UK student, you may be eligible for a government master's loan from Student Finance England for our online master's degrees. The Student Loans Company (SLC) will pay the loan directly to you after you start your studies. So, it’s your responsibility to make your module payments to us directly. Find out more about funding your Walbrook master's with a UK master's loan >
Want to see exactly when payments are due? Open the payment schedule for our next two start dates below.

September 2026 start date
- Full-time payment schedule – September 2026
- Part-time payment schedule – September 2026
October 2026 start date
- Full-time payment schedule – October 2026
- Part-time payment schedule – October 2026
Alumni receive a 10% tuition fee discount. If you’re eligible, our enrolment team can provide your personalised payment schedule.

Entry requirements for your online MA Early Childhood Education degree

Every application is different. If you’re not sure whether you meet the MA Early Childhood Education entry requirements, or you have any questions, contact us for advice. 

To apply, you’ll need to meet the following entry requirements:
- A UK honours degree at 2:2 or above (or equivalent international qualification).
Or
- 2+ years’ relevant professional experience in one or more education-related roles.
Thinking of transferring institutions or have you studied before? You can apply to transfer up to 60 credits towards your master's degree. Please note that credits can’t be awarded for the research module of this programme.

These credits must be relevant, current, and aligned with the subject matter of your chosen MSc Computer Science pathway.
- Review our recognition of prior learning process.
- Speak to our Enrolment Team.
- Submit a recognition of prior learning form alongside your application.
Overseas qualifications may be accepted and will be subject to evidence of equivalency normally verified through ECCTIS (UK ENIC).
If English is not your first language, you’ll be asked to provide proof of your English language proficiency. Ideally, your test should be no more than two years old when your course begins. If your test is older, please still apply and our admissions team can review your circumstances.

Alternatively, you may be accepted if you have previously studied in English at an appropriate level and attended a recognised institution.

IELTS
- Evidence of a score of IELTS Level 6.0 or above with no element below 5.5.
TOEFL iBT®
- Evidence of a score of 79 overall (with 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 21 in writing).
Duolingo
- Evidence of an overall minimum score of 110 with no component score below 100.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English
- Evidence of a score of 170 overall, with 160 in each component.

I would say just go for it. I am currently in full time employment, so being able to study at my own time and being able to be in control of my own studying was really important, and Walbrook provided that as part of their online degrees.

Aleksandra Anastasova
Walbrook online master's student

The course content is engaging and easy to follow, and the lecturers are really responsive, which makes a huge difference when you’re studying online. I like that there’s pacing built in to keep you on track, but also the flexibility to fit around work, life and kids. I’ve really learnt a lot that I can already put into practice in my role at work. 

Hayley Coates
Walbrook online master's student

MA Early Childhood Education programme details

Walbrook’s MA Early Childhood Education postgraduate degree is for educators in early years settings who want to better understand what high-quality education looks like for young children.

You’ll explore child development and how it shapes early childhood practice, alongside key questions that sit underneath every early years setting: how play works, what school readiness really means, how assessment shapes children's experience, and why relationships matter as much as anything else. Alongside this focus, you’ll build a strong foundation in areas such as curriculum design, inclusive education, global education systems, ethics, policy, and research methods from the social sciences. Delivered through distance learning, the programme ends with a dissertation based on your own setting – one that matters to your work and could contribute to wider early childhood practice.

On this online MA Early Childhood Education programme, you’ll study a series of carefully designed modules. With flexible monthly starts, you’ll join the next available module and study alongside a cohort of master's level students learning the same subject at the same time.
- Contemporary Perspectives on Early Childhood Development
  Child development is often presented as neutral, but it’s shaped by different ideas and assumptions. In this module, you’ll explore a range of perspectives to build a deep understanding of how development is viewed and how it influences early childhood practice.
- Play, Pedagogy and Learning in the Early Years
  What does it mean to put play and relationships at the heart of education? You’ll explore early years frameworks and approaches across different contexts, looking at the balance between standardisation, school readiness, and relational teaching – including how children move into primary education.
- Education, Ethics and Human Purpose
  What is education actually for – and who does it serve? This module explores the philosophical and ethical foundations of educational practice, helping you think more clearly about purpose, fairness, and responsibility, and develop principled positions on the big questions.
- Global Education Systems and Policy Context
  Why do education systems look so different around the world? You'll examine how politics, governance, and economics shape schools and policy across the UK and internationally, building the critical thinking tools to assess what educational reform actually achieves.
- Learning, Knowledge and Pedagogical Practice
  What gets taught, why, and by whose authority? You'll explore how decisions about knowledge, curriculum, and assessment affect learners, developing the confidence to make and defend your own professional judgements with clarity.
- Education Policy and Reform
  Policy shapes classrooms, but policy implementation is rarely simple. Drawing on political theory and policy sociology, you'll examine how education reform is made, contested, and put into practice across national and international contexts.
- Curriculum Theory and Design
  Curriculum is more than just a list of topics. A good curriculum reflects social, political, and ethical priorities. You'll explore how knowledge is chosen, ordered, and assessed, and gives you the tools to design the right curricula for your students.
- Education, Power and Social Justice
  On this module, you'll develop a critical understanding of how race, class, gender, and inequality play out in education systems, and build the skills to respond in ways that are grounded in educational research and ethics.
- Research Methods in Education
  Good research skills start with good thinking. This module takes you from the fundamentals of research process and design (including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods) through to a full, coherent research proposal ready to take into your dissertation.
- Research Development
  This module bridges your taught study and your dissertation. You'll refine your research question, build your conceptual framework, review the literature on your topic, and develop a full research proposal.
- Dissertation
  This is your chance to investigate a topic within educational practice that genuinely matters to you. An independent research project, you'll design and execute original research aligned to your professional context and your own interests within education.

Your module schedule depends on the month you start, and whether you study full or part-time. You'll study each module once, completing all taught modules before moving on to your final two modules: Research Development and Dissertation.

Full-time students: start a new 8-week module every month.
Part-time students: start a new 8-week module every other month.

Module start date	Module name	Assessment details
7 September 2026	Education, Ethics and Human Purpose	1. Philosophical Position Paper - 20% 2. Applied Ethical Case Evaluation - 30% 3. Integrative Contested Issue Essay - 50%
5 October 2026	Global Education Systems and Policy Context	1. Comparative Policy Commentary - 20% 2. Governance Analysis Report - 30% 3. Reform Impact Evaluation - 50%
2 November 2026	Learning, Knowledge, and Pedagogical Practice	1. Epistemological Commentary Essay - 20% 2. Curriculum and Assessment Coherence Analysis - 30% 3. Pedagogical Judgement Synthesis Paper - 50%
7 December 2026	Education Policy and Reform	1. Policy Formation Analysis - 20% 2. Implementation Case Study - 30% 3. Reform Evaluation Paper - 50%
4 January 2027	Curriculum Theory and Design	1. Curriculum Theory Critique - 20% 2. Curriculum Coherence Analysis - 30% 3. Curriculum Design Justification Project - 50%
1 February 2027	Education, Power and Social Justice	1. Theoretical Framing Essay - 20% 2. Institutional Equity Analysis - 30% 3. Integrated Social Justice Position Paper - 50%
1 March 2027	Research Methods in Education	1. Research Article Critique - 20% 2. Comparative Methods Analysis - 30% 3. Critical Analysis of Research Methods in Education - 50%
5 April 2027	Contemporary Perspectives on Early Childhood Development	1. Developmental Theory Critique - 20% 2. Pedagogical Application Analysis - 30% 3. Contextualised Early Childhood Pedagogy Position Paper - 50%
3 May 2027	Play, Pedagogy and Learning in the Early Years	1. Developmental Theory Critique - 20% 2. Pedagogical Application Analysis - 30% 3. Contextualised Early Childhood Pedagogy Position Paper - 50%
7 June 2027	Education, Ethics and Human Purpose	1. Philosophical Position Paper - 20% 2. Applied Ethical Case Evaluation - 30% 3. Integrative Contested Issue Essay - 50%
5 July 2027	Global Education Systems and Policy Context	1. Comparative Policy Commentary - 20% 2. Governance Analysis Report - 30% 3. Reform Impact Evaluation - 50%
2 August 2027	Learning, Knowledge, and Pedagogical Practice	1. Epistemological Commentary Essay - 20% 2. Curriculum and Assessment Coherence Analysis - 30% 3. Pedagogical Judgement Synthesis Paper - 50%
6 September 2027	Education Policy and Reform	1. Policy Formation Analysis - 20% 2. Implementation Case Study - 30% 3. Reform Evaluation Paper - 50%
4 October 2027	Curriculum Theory and Design	1. Curriculum Theory Critique - 20% 2. Curriculum Coherence Analysis - 30% 3. Curriculum Design Justification Project - 50%
1 November 2027	Education, Power and Social Justice	1. Theoretical Framing Essay - 20% 2. Institutional Equity Analysis - 30% 3. Integrated Social Justice Position Paper - 50%
6 December 2027	Research Methods in Education	1. Research Article Critique - 20% 2. Comparative Methods Analysis - 30% 3. Critical Analysis of Research Methods in Education - 50%
3 January 2028	Contemporary Perspectives on Early Childhood Development	1. Developmental Theory Critique - 20% 2. Pedagogical Application Analysis - 30% 3. Contextualised Early Childhood Pedagogy Position Paper - 50%
7 February 2028	Play, Pedagogy and Learning in the Early Years	1. Developmental Theory Critique - 20% 2. Pedagogical Application Analysis - 30% 3. Contextualised Early Childhood Pedagogy Position Paper - 50%
6 March 2028	Education, Ethics and Human Purpose	1. Philosophical Position Paper - 20% 2. Applied Ethical Case Evaluation - 30% 3. Integrative Contested Issue Essay - 50%
3 April 2028	Global Education Systems and Policy Context	1. Comparative Policy Commentary - 20% 2. Governance Analysis Report - 30% 3. Reform Impact Evaluation - 50%
1 May 2028	Learning, Knowledge, and Pedagogical Practice	1. Epistemological Commentary Essay - 20% 2. Curriculum and Assessment Coherence Analysis - 30% 3. Pedagogical Judgement Synthesis Paper - 50%
5 June 2028	Education Policy and Reform	1. Policy Formation Analysis - 20% 2. Implementation Case Study - 30% 3. Reform Evaluation Paper - 50%
3 July 2028	Curriculum Theory and Design	1. Curriculum Theory Critique - 20% 2. Curriculum Coherence Analysis - 30% 3. Curriculum Design Justification Project - 50%
7 August 2028	Education, Power and Social Justice	1. Theoretical Framing Essay - 20% 2. Institutional Equity Analysis - 30% 3. Integrated Social Justice Position Paper - 50%

Final research modules

Module name

Assessment details

Research Development

1. Research proposal – 45%

2. Critical literature review – 55%

Dissertation

1. Dissertation – 100%

Across your MA, you’ll complete a mix of assessment methods designed to stretch your thinking, strengthen your communication skills, and bring your learning to life. Each module (except your final research modules) includes three assignments – helping you build confidence, test ideas and apply theory in more than one way.

Here’s a snapshot of the main types of assessments you’ll complete across your core modules.
- Critical commentary or theoretical analysis: examine a key concept, framework, or tradition in depth while evaluating its assumptions, strengths, and limitations within educational contexts.
- Case study or contextual analysis: apply theoretical frameworks to a specific institution, policy, reform, or setting. You'll interrogate what's actually happening in the case study, and why.
- Comparative analysis: look at two systems, methodologies, or approaches and construct an evidence-informed evaluation of what distinguishes them and why it matters.
- Position paper or argument essay: develop and defend a theoretically grounded position on a complex or contested issue in education – integrating multiple perspectives and demonstrating clear analytical judgement.
- Curriculum or professional learning design: produce a structured proposal (for a curriculum framework, professional learning strategy, or improvement plan) grounded in research and justified through theory.
- Research proposal: start planning your dissertation by identifying a research problem, shaping your ideas, and designing a study that fits your professional practice.
- Critical literature review: explore the research around your topic, identify key themes and gaps, and build the critical awareness and foundation for your dissertation.
- Dissertation: your final independent research project that brings together theoretical perspectives and future practice, showing your understanding of research methodology in your chosen area.

How you'll study

Studying online with Walbrook is designed to be flexible and engaging, giving you access to everything you need to succeed:

Full-time students should set aside around 30 hours per week.
- You'll start a new 8-week module each month, so while you’re beginning your learning in one module, you’ll be preparing for assessment in the other.
Part-time students should set aside around 17 hours per week.
- You'll start a new 8-week module every other month, making it easier to fit your studies around work, family and everyday life.
Your self-study will include:
- Engaging programme content delivered via our online study platform.
- Case studies and applied tasks that link theory to real business scenarios.
- Preparation for assessments including reports, proposals and project work.
Our support is built around you and your success. From enrolment to graduation, you’ll have access to digital academic tools that help you study in a way that works for you, and people who are here to help.

You'll benefit from:
- Digital learning materials including key readings, videos, and research resources.
- Access to a digital library to support your independent research.
- Support to help you stay on track and direct you to the right teams when needed.

Apply to start your MA Early Childhood Education this September

Applying to study an online master's at Walbrook is simple, and you can do it directly.

1. Check programme entry requirements
Review our entry requirements to make sure you meet them.
2. Complete your application online
Apply through our secure online application portal and upload your documents as you go.
3. Accept your unconditional offer
By paying for your first module (part-time) or first two modules (full-time).

Contact us about our online degrees

Any questions about our online degrees or studying at Walbrook? Our Enrolment Advisors are here to help.

Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.30pm UK time (excluding UK public holidays).

contact-image-enrolment-team

Career opportunities: MA Early Childhood Education

Leadership salaries in state-funded nursery and primary schools typically range from £60,000 to £65,000 (School Teachers' Review Body, 2025). There’s also been over £330 million invested to attract and retain skilled teachers (Department for Education, 2026). This reflects growing demand for early years leaders who understand child development, design meaningful early years education, and lead with purpose.

Whether your professional interests lie in moving into a senior role, leading curriculum or special educational provision, or strengthening your current setting, this early childhood studies programme prepares students to take the next step. Postgraduate study at this level builds the knowledge and credibility senior roles expect. Combined with experience, it puts you in a strong position to work towards roles like those below. Please note that this MA does not award qualified teacher status or professional accreditation – but it can strengthen your expertise and support progression when combined with relevant experience and any role-specific requirements.

Educational Director (Early Childhood Education)
Average UK salary: £94,661

Educational Director (Early Childhood Education): job description

As an educational director, you’ll set the direction for teaching and learning across early years practice. This is a strategic leadership role that brings together educational theory and day-to-day realities like staffing, inspections, and working with families. The module on Contemporary Perspectives on Early Childhood Development builds a deep understanding of child development, while Education Policy and Reform strengthens your evaluation skills as the sector continues to evolve.

Average UK salary: £94,661
Pre-School Head Teacher
Average UK salary: £73,209

Pre-School Head Teacher: job description

Leading a pre-school means taking responsibility for each child’s experience, staff development, and relationships with families. You’ll shape the curriculum, often within the Early Years Foundation Stage, and guide the decisions that define practice in your setting. The module on Play, Pedagogy and Learning in the Early Years supports confident decision-making in critical education areas, while Education, Ethics and Human Purpose helps you lead with a clear sense of purpose.

Average UK salary: £73,209
Childhood Development Manager
Average UK salary: £79,760

Childhood Development Manager: job description

In this role, you’ll oversee young children's learning and development across one or more settings. You’ll design approaches to assessment, support educators, and make sure every child’s needs are understood. This work draws on child psychology and early childhood knowledge. The module on Contemporary Perspectives on Early Childhood Development strengthens your understanding of child development, while research methods build your evaluation skills to improve early childhood practice over time.

Average UK salary: £79,760

FAQs: Why study for an MA Early Childhood Education online degree?

The master’s in early childhood education focuses on the earliest and most important stage of learning – from birth to age seven, when children begin to understand how they learn, relate to others, and see themselves. It treats early childhood as a relevant subject in higher education, with its own ideas about development, teaching approaches, and ongoing debates around play, assessment, and school readiness.

Walbrook offers four MA Education programmes, each with its own focus:
- MA Education – a broad programme for educators working across sectors, with specialist modules in comparative education and professional learning
- MA Special and Inclusive Education – for educators specialising in inclusion, disability studies, and rights-based approaches to education
- MA Educational Leadership – for teachers and middle leaders preparing for senior leadership roles in schools, trusts, or system-level positions
The programme opens up a range of senior and specialist routes in the early years sector. Typical destinations include:

Leadership roles
- Early years leader or director of an early years setting
- Headteacher of a nursery or primary school
- Head of early years across a multi-academy trust
Specialist and advisory roles
- SENCO or inclusion lead with postgraduate-level expertise
- Early years curriculum designer
- Early years consultant or policy adviser
- School improvement adviser focused on early years
Research and academic pathways
- Researcher in an early years organisation, charity, or think tank
- Progression to doctoral study (EdD or PhD)
- Teacher educator or lecturer in early childhood education
Many students use the MA not to move into a new role, but to become significantly better at the one they already hold – bringing sharper developmental thinking, clearer pedagogical reasoning, and a stronger professional voice to their own practice. Whether you're looking for personal and professional development, a new specialism, or your next step, this programme helps you go further.
Early childhood education is one of the most profoundly moral and human practices there is. You're shaping how young children experience learning, relationships, and themselves during the years when those experiences matter most. As Prof. Robert White, Academic Lead for Education, puts it: "You'll explore education not just as a field of study, but as a human practice. One that is shaped by moral values, relationships and real-world impact." That framing runs through the whole programme, and the thinking you develop here will reshape the experiences of young children for years after you've moved on.

The impact of this kind of thinking extends far beyond your own career:
- Children you work with experience pedagogy grounded in developmental understanding, not readiness checklists.
- Colleagues you lead develop stronger professional reasoning through the culture you build around them.
- Families in your community feel a setting that sees their child as a whole human being.
Place-based inquiry means exploring what works in your environment – for your children, your team, and your community. Your dissertation is built around this idea, using research methods from the social sciences, including mixed, qualitative, or quantitative research methods where they fit your question.

For an MA Early Childhood Education student, this could mean looking at how outdoor play supports young children's learning in your setting, how families experience transitions, or how assessment shapes day-to-day practice. The focus is always on real situations, with the aim to provide evidence that improves both learning and the wider student experience in your setting.
Yes – and the online course is designed with exactly that in mind. Your studies will take place in our virtual learning environment, with no fixed timetables, live online lectures, or taught sessions to attend – so you can fit your studies around work and family commitments. You build your own study schedule within a clear weekly structure and assessment schedule that keeps you on track.

Part-time study takes 2 years, with around 17 hours per week and one new module every other month. Full-time study takes around 1 year, with around 30 hours per week and one new module every month, with some assessment deadlines overlapping. Paying per module can also help with managing living costs across the academic year.

Depending on your start date, the full-time programme might require 13 months of study instead of 12. This is because the schedule of modules differs with each start month, and if your schedule places one of the modules that directly informs your research at the end of your taught stage, you'll finish it in full before moving into the Research Development and Dissertation modules.
No – qualified teacher status isn't required. The standard entry requirements are a good first honours degree (2:2 or above, or international equivalent), or 2+ years' relevant experience. You don't need a specific education or early years degree – applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds are welcome.

If you don't hold a 2:2 undergraduate degree or you're not sure whether your background meets our requirements, we still encourage you to get in touch. We know that some of the most capable people in early childhood education came into the sector through vocational or practice-based routes, and we want to hear from you. One to one support from our admissions team can help you work out the best route in.
Yes, absolutely. This programme is designed for a wide range of early years settings, including private, voluntary, and maintained nurseries, preschools, children’s centres, childminding settings, Reception and Year 1 classrooms, and international schools.

In many cases, early childhood practice outside the school system raises some of the most valuable questions. Areas like play-based learning, relationships, and working with families often take different forms in these settings. Your experience in early years settings is a strength, giving you a strong foundation to explore and improve your practice.
Your master’s degree is delivered through an online study platform, where you’ll study either one or two modules at a time depending on your study mode. Full-time students take two modules in parallel (with a short gap between start dates), while part-time students complete one module at a time.

Here’s what you can expect:
- Weekly learning units to guide your progress
- Readings and case studies
- Videos and narrated presentations (mini-lectures)
- Online discussion forums
- Quizzes and tasks to check your understanding
You’ll have the freedom to plan your study time around work and life – but within a guided schedule that helps you stay focused, connected, and on track to succeed.
Yes – both home and international students are welcome to apply. If your first language isn't English, you'll need to meet our English language qualifications requirements – further information can be found in the 'entry requirements' section above. Early childhood education is a genuinely global field, and this 100% online learning programme is designed for that: you'll engage with perspectives from across national and cultural contexts, and your own professional setting – wherever it is – will be a legitimate and valuable site for the research you do.

The Walbrook Way: Digital from day one. Designed for your career.

Graduate in as little as 1 year, or flex to part-time.
Ranked 12th for employment outcomes in the UK*
Total fees: £6,960 – pay in full or pay per module.

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