Course Outline
The Government has stated that it wants to raise the level of qualification of all workers in the children’s workforce and this course is offered to meet the demand for a degree qualification required to access further vocational qualifications.
In particular, the Government is committed to ensuring that there is a graduate leading the learning for children in all early years settings. The top-up year builds on and consolidates existing knowledge, understanding and skills of working with children and strengthens the links between theory and practice.
The course, which explores existing issues in the early years sector, is responsive to trends and initiatives within the field and has been commended by external examiners for this.
Those undertaking the course, either on a one-year full-time basis, or part-time over two years, will be supported by all staff and professionals. Successful students will reflect upon their personal philosophies on this course and develop into well-qualified, articulate and confident practitioners and become informed advocates for early years education.
The qualification provides the opportunity to apply for PGCE courses and lays the foundation for progression into Early Years Professional status. Students within the Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences have access to some of the most up-to-date facilities and resources and pursue their courses in a productive, modern and supportive learning environment.
This course enables students to top-up an existing Level 5 qualification to an Honours degree. It thereby provides a progression route to degree level for students with an HND or Foundation Degree related to the early years. An Honours Degree in Early Childhood Education Studies provides access to a range of careers working with young children and lays the foundation for progression towards the Early Years Professional qualification.
It is a particularly appropriate degree to enter the teaching profession through postgraduate Initial Teacher Training courses.
This top-up course provides students with the opportunity to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the early years (0-5 age phase) and related issues, which will consolidate and extend previous learning.
There are no placements, although students are encouraged to develop links with professional practitioners and settings in order to carry out a piece of primary research.
Participants will study children’s learning in the early years and the factors that influence their development, particularly within an urban, multi-lingual, multi-faith context.
Module tutors will provide a wide range of teaching and learning methods throughout the course and will include taught sessions, presentations, workshops, tutorials, independent study and research.
The modules are compulsory, but there is a unit, entitled Towards Employment, that offers a range of options to select from because they are intended to enhance the transition into an individual’s next career step.
Students on the full-time course are expected to commit to two full days of faculty-based sessions, although there is an additional expectation that significant independent and directed individual study will be undertaken.
The part-time option has an equivalent commitment of one day a week over two years. This may include evening teaching and is negotiated with the course director.
Throughout the course, students will be expected to develop a positive approach to learning and will plan, review and take responsibility for their own learning through personal development planning (PDP). This is carried out to develop an individual’s skills for future employment and career management.
The following modules are all compulsory, but there is a palette of options within the Towards Employment module, from which you will select one which matches your career choice.
Year 3 (Level 6) THE PRACTITIONER IN PRACTICE
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Module Title:
- Either Contemporary issues in early years (30)
- or Perceptions of childhood (30)
- Professional philosophy (30)
- Towards employment: (15)
A) Information sharing
B) Teaching and learning
C) Working in communities
D) Leadership and management in the early years research project (45) - Research project (45)
Award: BA (HONOURS) 120 CREDITS |
There are no placements. Study visits are organised within modules.
The team has been commended by external examiners and previous students for the variety of assessment methods.
End of module assessment (summative) include research-based study, essays, reports, presentations with supporting evidence. A timed essay features in the ‘Towards Employment’ module.
Throughout the year, students are supported and guided (formative assessment) towards the final assessments by course tutors.
Your Career
Career Prospects
Graduates of the course can apply for postgraduate courses in teaching, social work, counselling or nursing. Graduates of this course can progress in the early years sector. This could be into childcare management positions within the children’s workforce, for example, in children’s centres, extended schools or childminder networks.
Further Study Options
This course offers an appropriate degree qualification for entry to the PGCE Early Years route into teaching, provided that the Teaching Agency requirements for Initial Teacher Training courses are met. There are also opportunities to pursue studies at Master’s level.
There is an opportunity for suitable candidates to work towards Early Years Practitioner status while studying the degree.
Entry Requirements & Applications
Entry Requirements
Candidates will need a Foundation Degree in Early Years; Commendation or Merit profile. Applicants with alternative Level 5 qualifications, in a related field will be considered on an individual basis at the Course Directors discretion.
You will be required to have GCSE Grade C in English Language and Maths at the point of application. GCSE Science is desirable.
Those intending to apply for the PGCE Early Years course in the future as a route into teaching will also need to have GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent) a science subject.
Please note that Key Skills and NVQ Level 3 are not accepted.
IELTS: 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each level.
Application Details
Full-time UCAS X310
Part-time direct to Faculty
Enquiries
Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.
Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.
Fees Notes
If you already have an equivalent level qualification, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. For further information visit the fees area of the Student Info section.