Course Summary
Do you want to make a difference to the lives and educational futures of young children? Then follow your passion and explore early education with an internationally-recognised team of academics and researchers in DCU.
This course will prepare you for a highly rewarding career, educating and supporting young children during a vital time in their development. The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) prepares you for work as a professional in a variety of early childhood educational settings, from preschools and creches, to child and family support programmes and it equips graduates to work with children of all needs. The BECE enables graduates to follow a career in a range of voluntary and statutory organisations that work on behalf of children and families.
Theory and Practice
The BECE degree combines theory with practical learning. You’ll learn applied skills through workshops, seminars and independent group study. This could involve working in the Lego room programming ‘Beebots’, or designing play environments for young children, or developing literacy sacks to support them as readers. You’ll also put your knowledge into practice during yearly work placements.
BECE graduates are in high demand at home and abroad. In Year 3, you can consider studying abroad on an Erasmus programme, in Norway, Belgium or Hungary.
College Link
Podcasts
Seana McGrade-McKeever, Final year Early Childhood Education student (13mins 48secs)
College Virtual Tour
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Note: It may also be possible to do an Erasmus+ Programme allowing you to study abroad for a
period of at least 2 months to 12 months. This study can be through English or through your
language of choice � please check with your course coordinator to see if this is possible
for this course.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
PLC Progression Links
This course will accept All PLC (QQ/FET) Level 5 or 6 Major Award as an entry requirement.
Click on the link below for a List of PLC Courses Directly Related to this Career Sector
This Information is Correct for 2025 Entry
Points Calculator for QQI Awards:
Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found
HERE
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
The BECE degree is a gateway to a number of careers such as; City and County Childcare Committees, Crèches, Development Agencies, Naíonraí, National Voluntary Organisations, Pre School, and Statutory Bodies. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
