About your degree in Montessori education
Our online Montessori Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner) BA (Hons) is ideal if you're passionate about making a positive impact on young children's learning and want to develop your understanding of Montessori pedagogy. Successful completion of this course will give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to work in any registered Montessori practice in England or internationally as a Montessori teacher. You'll study online giving you the flexibility to develop your career around your other commitments and your work placement will give you valuable hands-on experience in Montessori teaching to learn teaching methods and classroom management.
Course highlights
- Be one of the first Montessorians to hold a full and relevant, internationally recognised Montessori Early Childhood Studies degree
- You'll complete the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC)
- Online learning gives you the flexibility to fit studying around your other commitments and the work placement gives you practical hands-on experience in Montessori education
- Ranked 13th in the country by the Guardian League Table 2025
How you'll study
This course is studied online but does include a work placementStudy this course over 3 years
Start your course in September
24th April 2025
Fees: £16,800
Payment plans availableUK Quality Assured
Course overview
Montessori education is becoming a very popular choice to support early childhood learning and development. It’s a child-led approach to learning that was pioneered by Maria Montessori in the 20th century. Although as a philosophy it is now more than a century old, it is more relevant to developing skills for the future in children than any other education approach today.
You’ll study Montessori pedagogy, gaining an understanding of her secrets of childhood, and the importance of supporting the child to reach their full potential as a Montessori practitioner. You’ll explore the three elements of the Montessori triangle: the child, the environment and the teacher and develop your understanding of how these principals collaborate to support the journey of early childhood and primary education, and enable children to succeed.
Throughout the course you’ll be supported by academics who are also qualified Montessori practitioners offering you a knowledgeable and reflective teaching team. You’ll also take part in work placements (20 days per year) that will give you valuable hands-on experience and form part of the assessment criteria that makes this degree ‘full and relevant’. If you are not currently working in a relevant setting, we will help you find a suitable work placement.
During your studies, you’ll complete the ECGPC (Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies). This is a professionally recognised framework that’ll enhance your employability and provide some clarity for your prospective employers as to the graduate level of your achievements. The competencies are included on the QAA Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmark Statements, with practice at Level 6 recognised by the Department for Education (DfE).
It is a mandatory requirement to take a practical placement as part of this course. If you are already working in an Early Years (0-8 years) setting then this can be incorporated into your work, otherwise you will need to secure a placement. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in early years education and enhance your professional practice.
We’ve worked with employers, practitioners and Montessorians in designing our BA (Hons) Montessori Early Childhood Studies, to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they’re looking for. We’ve also been guided by The Children’s Workforce Development Council and the Early Years Professional Framework.
The successful completion of this course will allow you to work in any registered setting (nurseries or pre-school), in England or internationally as a qualified Montessori teacher. It will also give you a platform to move into leadership roles and make further positive impacts to the lives of young children through the Montessori philosophy and child centred approach.
Following successful completion of this course you may wish to further develop your understanding of Montessori practice with our 100% online Education with Montessori Master’s degree.
Modules
The Developing Montessori Child
Understand the founding principles, philosophy and methodology of the Montessori Method. Through investigation and research, you'll take the journey of Montessori from its roots to the modern day. You’ll be encouraged to explore the significance of ‘Cosmic Education’ and see babies, toddlers, and young children as change agents. During the process you will make the links
between Montessori’s vision of the Cosmic Plan and the requirement to acknowledge and reflect the 17 SDG’s in Early Childhood practice. You'll examine the pedagogical approach through the lens of the ‘Dynamic Triangle’; the Child, the Environment and the Teacher. Montessori advocated that the psychological characteristics of development, when nurtured, enable the child to reach their full potential. We'll encourage you to begin to inform your own personal pedagogy, supported by opportunity for self-expression and collaboration.
The Developing Graduate Practitioner in Practice
To help you meet the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies, you’ll study this module across all years of your degree. You’ll take part in 80 days of placement and reflect on your experiences. The Graduate Practitioner is an advocate for young children’s rights and participation and recognise that young children are active co-constructors of their own learning. As a Graduate Practitioner you’ll apply high-level academic knowledge of pedagogy and research evidence, of the holistic development of babies, toddlers and young children (0-8), in a practice context that is respectful of the child, their family and community. This qualification will make you workplace ready with knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework, upon graduation.
Using the formatting of a child profile, you will explore and analyse the development of one child (aged 0-8) through multiple observational techniques. This analysis will be underpinned be the respective statutory guidance and will consider Physical, Intellectual, Language, Emotional, and Social (PILES) factors
Montessori Curriculum 1
This is the first of two modules that focus on the Montessori curriculum materials. In the first, you’ll engage in activities and curriculum design in the areas of Practical Life; Sensorial; Cultural (Knowledge and Understanding of the world); from babies to toddlers. You’ll practice with the unique Montessori materials and their presentations while in your placement setting. Through exploration you’ll become confident in using the Montessori materials and understanding the importance of further Montessori activities that support the learning environment. The Montessori curriculum was developed to support children's understanding of their development, to guide them to reach their full potential and to harness a love of learning. You’ll develop a confidence in supporting children through the carefully prepared Montessori learning environment, embedded with the integration of the SDG’s that support Montessori’s theory behind Cosmic Education. You’ll consider the factors influencing holistic child development, alongside planning, observation and reflection.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
In this module, you will develop an essential understanding of the concept of safeguarding and wellbeing, which is crucial for working with infants, toddlers and young children. You will gain an appreciation of the contemporary factors and challenges involved in safeguarding children, including considerations such as children’s rights, digital literacy and multi-agency working to support both families, children and young people. The module will enable you to develop a rigorous understanding of the UK legislation and government policy guiding safeguarding provision and practices relevant to your role as a practitioner. Additionally, you will provide evidence of your engagement with supplementary training specific to UK safeguarding standards. This training will give you practical insights into current safeguarding protocols, ensuring that you can apply these standards to protect and support children effectively within professional settings.
Montessori Curriculum 2
You’ll now be fairly familiar with the Montessori materials and specific presentations so you’ll continue to build on this knowledge in this module with a particular focus on literacy, maths and creative areas. We’ll support you in developing your knowledge of curriculum design and you’ll put this into practice in a Montessori early childhood environment. Observing and learning on placement, you’ll analyse the learning journey of babies, toddlers and young children as well as to reflect on your own development needs. You’ll develop more in-depth exploration of the philosophy behind the presentations, the mathematical mind and the theory of abstraction. Montessori advocated the importance of the learning materials and on completion of this module you will have a firm foundation of knowledge of the materials and the presentations that interlink across the learning curriculum in a Montessori classroom.
The Reflective Graduate Practitioner in Practice
In this module, you will demonstrate an informed understanding of child development from birth to eight years, considering key milestones and transition points and how these should guide your practice as a professional working with children. Additionally, you will explore how children (0-8) with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) may exhibit developmental pathways that differ from the prescriptive expectations outlined in UK education statutory guidance. Through critical analysis, you will reflect on appropriate methods of support in practice, as well as the effective use of multi-agency working and services to promote inclusive development for babies, toddlers and young children. Through the module you will take on responsibilities that foster the development of transferable skills, equipping you with the professional capabilities needed for employment as a highly qualified professional in any field you choose to enter.
To help you meet the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies, you’ll study this module across all years of your degree. The Graduate Practitioner is an advocate for young children’s rights and participation and recognise that young children are active co-constructors of their own learning.
As a Graduate Practitioner you’ll apply high-level academic knowledge of pedagogy and research evidence, of the holistic development of infants, toddlers and young children (0-8), in a practice context that is respectful of the child, their family and community. This qualification will make you workplace ready with a depth of knowledge regarding the Early Years Foundation Stage, upon graduation.
Creative Pedagogy: How Children Learn (0-8)
In this module you will examine various theoretical frameworks, pedagogical approaches, and practical strategies for embedding creativity into your early childhood practice. Creativity is a natural predisposition towards learning and development which makes it a key component of a child-centred education that supports holistic development and wellbeing. You will be encouraged to use and reflect on your own creative practices as educators and consider how to implement a range of inclusive and culturally responsive creative activities. By the end of the module, you will gain insight into ways that creative play, imagination, and exploration can foster babies, toddlers and young children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.
To do this, you will be encouraged to use your own creativity by ’thinking outside the box’, and seeking ways to support and inspire children (0-8), the practitioners you work with, and yourself as a creative adult. The rights of children to express through different means and modalities will be acknowledged and you will be reflecting on the importance of recognising and encouraging diverse forms of self-expression, curiosity, and how to embrace sustainability.
Education for Global Citizenship and the Use of Artificial Intelligence
In this module you will delve into the concept of global citizenship and its significance in the context of early childhood education. Global citizenship involves helping babies, toddlers and young children to understand their place in the world and fostering positive attitudes towards diversity, empathy, and social responsibility. In this module you will also explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing the early childhood workforce. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, practical applications, and case studies, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how global citizenship principles can be integrated into early childhood education and how AI can support educators and caregivers in fostering a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
Ruskin Module
Ruskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
Advocating for Children's Rights
In this module you will delve into a comprehensive examination of children’s rights, emphasizing their rights to education, protection, human rights, and participation. The legal standing of children has been significantly bolstered by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989, which enshrines principles of protection, provision of services, and
participation.
Recognising the diverse experiences of babies, toddlers and young children globally, you will broaden your perspectives by analysing evidence from both international and national contexts. This approach ensures a holistic understanding of the varied realities children face.
Upon successful completion, you will find this module highly pertinent to your future career in both voluntary and statutory organisations dedicated to working with young children. You will gain the essential knowledge and skills to actively contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to quality education, reduced inequalities, and strong institutions.
Innovative Change Through a Creative Lens of Leadership
Building on the principle that quality in early childhood provision requires creative, innovative and effective leaders who can reflect on practice, manage resources, foster effective team development and lead as agents of change. You will examine the context in which education and care is provided to review issues of how we can work better to meet the needs of babies, toddlers and young children. The issues concerning provision in terms of quality and providing equality of opportunity for all children will be explored from philosophical and theoretical leadership perspectives in early childhood.
Montessori was an envisioned leader who argued that adults, as leaders, should take direction from children as agents for change. You will reflect on the position of self in how change can evolve and will reflect on styles of leadership that will support leadership concepts from the literature, including transformation, adaptation, service, humility and contextual elements. As Montessori advocated that it is responsibility that a leader should feel, not the authority of their position we’ll analyse partnerships and interdisciplinary working reflecting on leadership styles such as transformation, adaptation, collaboration, and humility to further enhance the quality and effectiveness of early childhood education, contributing to the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. We will provide an opportunity to critically review the application of theory to practice to further your understanding of leadership in an early childhood context.
The Professional Graduate Practitioner in Practice
The Graduate Practitioner is an advocate for young children’s rights and participation and recognise that young children are active co-constructors of their own learning. As a Graduate Practitioner you’ll apply high-level academic knowledge of pedagogy and research evidence, of the holistic development of babies, toddlers and young children (0-8), in a practice context that is respectful of the child, their family and community.
In this module you will exhibit a well-informed appreciation of the complex concepts which are relevant to working with families. You will also develop essential the skills for change management and problem solving within the context of a professional environment. Through the module you will take on responsibilities that foster the development of transferable skills, equipping you with the professional capabilities needed for employment as a highly qualified professional in this field.
You will create a setting development plan for your setting to emphasise the quality of your provision and consider the sustainability of professional practice, education and business elements of your setting. All public and private settings require the development of business skills and through exploring this module, in line with your Leadership and Management modules, you will find yourself better equipped to take a management position or even open a practice of your own. In whatever direction you wish to develop your career, these skills can be added to your CV to ensure you are able to differentiate your profile from your competitors, along with a reflective statement of your professional development over the course of your degree.
Undergraduate Major Project
The Undergraduate Major Project enables You to demonstrate your ability to raise and address significant questions related to your chosen topic or issue. This may involve reviewing, commenting, analysing, or critiquing existing ideas or significant theoretical or conceptual developments at local, national, or international levels.
You will be expected to select and apply appropriate research strategies which are relevant to your chosen topic/issue and the question(s)you are looking to address. You will be able to draw meaningful and justifiable conclusions from information which may be complex or contradictory and be capable of expanding or redefining your existing knowledge of a subject or area of practice. You will be able to communicate in an articulate appropriately clear and academic fashion and will be able to demonstrate a critically reflective approach to your work. You will need to negotiate, through the proposal, the nature and form of the final assessed work, which will take the form of a written dissertation. If you workpeople in practice, you may choose to link the written dissertation with everyday practice from your workplace. This may include anonymised curriculum planning, policy documents or brief vignettes of practice, as negotiated with the supervisor and permitted by the gatekeeper, for example, the nursery manager and head- teacher. This mode of assessment can be chosen if it provides you with an opportunity to produce an assignment that links literature with the professional context in which you work.
Throughout the two trimesters, lectures will focus on contemporary issues in education, ethical research, gaining ethical approval, and narrowing research focus and questions. This will support you in developing your specialist focus and preparing for progression beyond level 6. The work undertaken for the major project will likely build on previous modules, requiring you to work autonomously with minimal guidance from a supervisor.
Modules are subject to change and availability.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using both academic and practical tasks to evaluate your knowledge and understanding. Assessment methods used will include essays, professional reports, videos, and various presentation elements.
You’ll meet the nine PCGPC competencies through assessed observation of practice, practice-based tasks and academic assessment.
How you'll study
Our Education with Montessori Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) is studied predominantly online, but you’ll also take part in 85 days of placement (30 days in year 1, 25 days in year 2 and 30 days in your final year). If you are not currently working in a relevant setting, we will help you find a suitable work placement.
You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, pc or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.
On successful completion of your studies you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.
Supported distance learning
We understand that distance learning is different to traditional campus study and if you’re new to online study you may have concerns or apprehensions about studying your Montessori degree online, and that’s natural.
To help put your mind at ease we have a dedicated Distance Learning Support Team to help and support you throughout your time at ARU, starting with your first online induction and staying with you right through to graduation. In addition, you’ll also be supported by specialist education module tutors, well experienced in supporting distance learning students.
Once you start your degree in Montessori education, we encourage the creation of online communities and many of our learners find these connections with others invaluable, helping them to stay motivated, share concerns or make new friendships.
Contact us to talk through any questions or concerns or visit our support page for more information about the support services available.
Gold-standard education
We're proud to have received a Gold award for the quality of our education in a UK-wide review of university teaching standards.
Why we're rated Gold
Our course content and delivery is rated as outstanding with the review citing ‘innovative and highly effective course design and content that inspires students to actively engage and commit to their learning’.
We’re also rated outstanding in the areas of:
- student engagement in learning
- learning environment and academic support
- learning resources
- student engagement in improvement
- approaches to supporting student success
- intended educational gains
- approaches to supporting educational gains.
What is the Teaching Excellence Framework?
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national scheme run by the Office for Students that focuses on the areas students care most about: teaching, learning, and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.
It has three outcomes: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
This rating was awarded in September 2023, and lasts for four years.

Be part of the University of the Year
We're proud to be the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023.
The prestigious THE awards honour ’exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year, and reflect ARU’s success in delivering high-impact projects during this period, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The award recognises the difference we make in the region and our communities – while also acknowledging the broader impact of our world-leading research, and the contributions our students and graduates make to society.

Careers
What could a Montessori Bachelor’s degree do for my career?
A Montessori Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) degree is a full and relevant qualification for any practitioner looking to understand the Early Years Montessori method and philosophy. You may be an early years Montessori teacher, early years practitioner, or teaching assistant looking to broaden your working practice to support the children under your educational care. You may be looking for a qualification to launch your career in early years education and care or primary education.
During your studies you’ll also complete the ECGPC (Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies) which is a professionally recognised framework that can enhance your employability. Please see the course overview for more information on ECGPC.
What job roles can I consider with degree in Montessori education?
A Montessori Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) could lead to a wide range of career opportunities within the education sector, and it is ideal for those looking to advance their careers to become Montessori teachers. These are just some of the job roles that a Montessori Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) graduate may consider, possibly with further Montessori training depending on the role:
- Montessori Teacher in a primary school
- Early Years Teacher
- Early Years Practitioner
- Nursery Manager
- Assistant Headteacher
- Headteacher
- A teacher of Montessori education
If you are looking for more information about these job profiles and potential salary earnings see Prospects.ac.uk. It’s important to note that salaries can vary widely depending on the job role, employer, industry sector and location.
What skills will I get from a Montessori degree to help my career?
Choosing to study a Montessori Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) will give you many transferable skills. Here are just some of them:
- You will develop critical thinking skills, initiative, and personal responsibility
- Improve decision-making skills in unpredictable and complex situations
- Learn to communicate effectively in a variety of media
- Apply creativity and critical analysis
- Be able to visualise and instigate change in practice
- Manage your own CPD
What can I study after a Montessori Bachelor’s degree?
Depending on your long-term goals and desired career, you may consider a postgraduate degree or other equivalent qualifications in a related subject such as Education with Early Childhood MA or Education with Montessori MA. A Master’s degree is the most common type of postgraduate qualification and usually focuses on a specific area of a wider subject which may support your future career development and best practice. Having a bachelor’s degree under your belt is a key entry requirement in opening doors to a Montessori qualification in postgraduate study.
Careers Advice Service
Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability service to help you at whatever stage of your career, whether that’s landing your dream job or the next progression step.
We offer:
- careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
- help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
- an online portal packed with useful careers resources
- our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.
Entry requirements
- 88 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent)
- 5 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English
- An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure will also be required
If English is not your first language, you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
As a distance learner, you’ll also need a suitable computer with internet connection, together with sufficient IT competence to make effective use of word processing, internet and email.
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Fees & funding
Fees
The full tuition fee for this Montessori degree is £16,800.
The tuition fees you pay each year will be £5,600. The course is studied over 3 years.
Accredited Prior Learning may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.
Funding
Government-backed part time student loans are available to cover the cost of studying this course. These are subject to eligibility and terms and conditions.
We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.
For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. ARU is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.
For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.
What our students say
Applying new skills I have learnt on the course to my work in the classroom and seeing the positive effects it has to the children's learning and development has been truly rewarding.
The online platform (Canvas) is fantastic as you can engage in online dialogue, conferences and message one another directly.
I encourage anyone who wants the freedom to travel and work while still pursuing their academic interests to consider the distance learning option.
The lecturers genuinely care, the resources are very helpful, and the support staff are experts who go above and beyond to help.