Early Years - FdA
Currently viewing course to start in 2026/27 Entry. Switch to 2027/28 Entry
September 2026 — UCAS code X311
Are you passionate about working with young children in public, private, voluntary and independent childcare, early years or education settings? Perhaps you already work within the early years sector and would like to upskill or considering advanced practice....
Clearing
Got your results?
If you have your results, you can apply online now.
Waiting for results?
If you need more time, find out more about Clearing.
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Award FdA
- Start date September 2026
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location South and City College Birmingham
This course is:
Overview
Clearing 2026
Clearing
48 points required
(or equivalent) is the minimum you wil need to be considered for this course in Clearing.
Use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
Got your results?
If you have your results, you can apply online now.
Waiting for results?
If you need more time, find out more about Clearing.
Are you passionate about working with young children in public, private, voluntary and independent childcare, early years or education settings? Perhaps you already work within the early years sector and would like to upskill or considering advanced practice.
The Foundation degree in Early Years aims to develop the skills and knowledge for you to develop your professional practice and support your career aspirations. The foundation degree is a recognised qualification in the sector and can also be a stepping stone to higher level and degree studies. Many students join an honours degree at level 6 (final year) on completion of the foundation degree.
What's covered in this course?
The course is carefully designed to offer appropriate skills and knowledge relating to professional practice, and the application of work-based experience. It also focuses on your self-development and independent learning, as well as team work and your ability to manage others.
Skills and knowledge acquired from your modules combine to give you a thorough appreciation of a child’s social and emotional development, covering issues of language, literacy and numeracy, knowledge and understanding of the world, and physical and creative development.
Applying your knowledge in real Early Years settings is a vital part of your learning, and you need to complete 720 hours of work placement during the course. As a working, part-time student, you normally achieve this through your professional commitments; if you study full-time, you get all the support you need to find a suitable work placement.
Why Choose Us?
- Studying in small groups, trainee Early Years practitioners get the chance to enhance skills and professional standing, while aspiring entrants to the profession enjoy a practical, hands-on introduction to key issues
- The part-time route offers flexibility to fit studies around your weekly commitments
- Although based at South and City College Birmingham (Digbeth campus), you have full use of facilities at any of the University sites and will feel part of our supportive student community
- This course supports the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring you can deliver provision that complies with EYFS learning and development requirements
- Ofsted rates South and City College Birmingham as a 'Beacon Status' college, making it one of only a few UK training providers to achieve the government's Training Quality Standard in three or more sectors
- The College also has Customer Service Excellence status, showing the importance placed on student satisfaction
Similar Courses
Course in Depth
Download course specification
Download nowCourse structure
The emphasis of this Foundation Degree programme is on developing skills and academic knowledge as vehicles for learning. The course focuses on the following key areas:
- Self-development and independent learning
- Team working and managing others
- Critical application of professional practice
- Application of work-based experience/evidence
All modules are compulsory and are generic to early years practice.
Full-time students are expected to attend college during the day, while the part-time course and teaching is organised to enable students to fulfil work commitments. Typically, teaching takes place in the evenings and at weekends.
Course breakdown
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Introducing professional practice 40 credits
Safeguarding children 20 credits
Learning through play 20 credits
Observing children's holistic development 20 credits
Early years curricula 20 credits
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Developing professional practice 40 credits
Early years research as a driver for change 20 credits
Fostering children’s mental health and well-being 20 credits
Promoting inclusion and parental partnerships 20 credits
Social construction of the child 20 credits
Entry Requirements
Clearing
48 points required
(or equivalent) is the minimum you wil need to be considered for this course in Clearing.
Use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
Got your results?
If you have your results, you can apply online now.
Waiting for results?
If you need more time, find out more about Clearing.
Alternative options
If you do not have 48 points, you may like to look at our other available courses, or explore your options if you don't have enough points for any of our courses.
*Please note: the entry requirements listed below are relevant to main cycle applications and may not be applicable during Clearing.
Essential requirements
48 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: FdA
Starting: Sep 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 2 years
- £7,995 in 2026/27 ✱ Important note for this price
- Apply via Clearing
- Part Time
- 3 years
- £5,330 in 2026/27 ✱ Important note for this price
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
Clearing
Places available to start in September 2026
If you'd like to start this course full-time in September, you can apply through Clearing.
Got your results?
If you have your results, you can apply online now.
Waiting for results?
If you need more time, find out more about Clearing.
International and part-time students can apply online as normal using the links above.
Want to start in September 2027? You can apply via UCAS from September 2026.
Personal statement
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the three areas you’ll need to address:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Here’s where you explain what makes this course exciting to you. Think about your motivations for studying the course and your future plans. If you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons.
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This is your chance to show what you’ve learned at school or college. You should include the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from education or training and how this will help you succeed in your chosen course.
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Not everything you’ve learned comes from the classroom. Life experience counts too! You might want to talk about work experience, employment, or volunteering and how they’ve helped you develop the skills needed for your chosen course or future career.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Employability
Employment opportunities
This course enables you to enhance your career in the early years sector. This could be into child care management positions in a variety of settings, such as day nurseries, primary schools, children's centres and health centres.
Placements
Students need to evidence they have completed 720 hours of work placement during the course. Generally, part-time students will already be working in an early years setting while studying for their FdA. Full-time students will be supported on work placement.
Facilities & Staff
Facilities
This course runs at South & City College Birmingham's Digbeth Campus.