Working with Children, Young People and Families with Foundation Year - BA (Hons)
- UCAS Code: L59F
- Level: Foundation
- Starting: September 2021
- Study mode: Full Time (1 year foundation followed by 3 year degree)
- Location: City South
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
This course is now full for 2021/22. You can apply for 2022/23 via UCAS from September 2021.
If you'd still like to apply for September 2021, take a look at some of our other available courses.
Our BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People and Families with a Foundation Year programme has at its heart a strong commitment to social justice and equality. We will provide you with a range of teaching and learning experiences to build on your existing skills and motivation so that you can contribute to a changing society, particularly with services who work with, or for, vulnerable children, young people and their families.
Please note: entry requirements for degree course
Upon completion of your Foundation Year, if your chosen course is regulated by a professional body such as the Department for Education, you will be required to successfully complete the University’s selection process for the specific programme which will include an interview in order to proceed onto year one of the full degree programme. Entry onto year one of the degree programme will also be subject to a satisfactory DBS and Occupational Health Assessment.
Tailor your Society, Childhood and Education Degree
When you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you will be able to progress onto a range of Undergraduate courses at the Birmingham City School of Education and Social Work. These include:
- BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
- BA (Hons) Education Studies
- BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS
- BSc (Hons) Social Work
- BSc (Hons) Secondary Computing with QTS
- BSc (Hons) Secondary Science with Biology with QTS
- BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education with QTS
- BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People and Families
Why choose a foundation year course?
By studying a foundation year in either Society, Childhood and Education, your first year will be spent learning a wide range of broad subject areas which then open up opportunities for you to specialise further in your next year – which would be the first year of a full degree programme.
You will study very broad subjects in your foundation year, which is designed to prepare you for a range of courses and not just one particular BSc or BA degree.
So although you are studying a BA or BSc in a specific course – BA Working with Children, Young People and Families – the foundation year sets you up for a number of other possible degrees starting the following year. It may be that you don’t end up doing a degree in precisely the same subject as your foundation year.
This flexibility is one of the great things about the foundation year category - Society, Childhood and Education, allowing you to find out more about your interests and talents before focusing on a three year degree. The foundation year also helps us at BCU to make sure we help to match you to the degree that fits you best.
What's covered in the course?
With a focus on personal, as well as professional development, our programme will engage you in understand the complexities of working with children young people and their families, in theory and in practice. We want to support you so that you can develop to become effective agents of change, making a difference to vulnerable children and young people.
The rights of children and young people, and a commitment to social justice are at the centre of what we believe, teach and research.
As you progress through the programme you will become confident and competent advocates of children and young people; developing your personal and professional skills so that you can, in future careers, be influential in developing practice, provision and policy.
Through a supportive and nurturing learning environment, you will be encouraged to develop your communication skills, drawing on digital technologies and to take ‘risks’ as you explore and find out new things about Working with Children, Young People and Families, as well as yourself.
Experienced tutors on the programme come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and are research active, understanding the demands of study, work and family life. The programme draws on experienced professionals from the field of education, social work and health. They are committed to the same agenda of social justice, social mobility and social responsibility that forms the underpinning philosophy of the programme.
Why Choose Us?
- Strong commitment to social justice and children’s rights
- Opens doors to a range of careers linked to vulnerable children and young people
- Opportunities for placement, locally and internationally
- Practice led by research active tutors from a range of professional backgrounds
- Range of opportunities to develop professional as well as academic skills to be work ready.
Similar Courses
This course is open to International students
I AM BCU
Carmen Tulloch
Carmen never saw university in her future, it was only after completing a Youth Training Course and having her second child, that she thought of returning to study.
Entry Requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Essential Requirements
72 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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Level 2 Qualifications | ||
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UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
GCSE |
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City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Adult Numeracy/ Adult Literacy |
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Functional Skills/ Essential Skills level 2 |
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Key Skills level 2 |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
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Scottish Intermediate 2 |
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Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
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Scottish National 5 |
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IELTS |
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Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
A level and Advanced VCE |
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AS and AS VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland) |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (QCF) |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
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Scottish Advanced Higher |
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Scottish Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Extra Information for EU/International students
EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | Requirements 2021/22 | |
IELTS | 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands | |
International Baccalaureate Diploma (or equivalent, including internationally accredited Foundation courses). | 24 points overall Country-specific entry requirements and qualifications. |
- UK students
- International students
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year foundation followed by 3 year degree
- £9,250 per year
- Applications Closed
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year foundation followed by 3 year degree
- £13,200 per year
- Applications Closed
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
This course is now full for 2021/22. You can apply for 2022/23 via UCAS from September 2021.
If you'd still like to apply for September 2021, take a look at some of our other available courses.
Additional costs
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Find additional costs for your course
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
Foundation Year
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Year One
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Year Two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
Year Three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
You have the flexibility to transfer to any standard undergraduate programme from the School of Education and Social Work upon successfully completing your Foundation Year including:
- BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
- BA (Hons) Education Studies
- BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS
- BSc (Hons) Social Work
- BSc (Hons) Secondary Computing with QTS
- BSc (Hons) Secondary Science with Biology with QTS
- BA (Hons) Secondary Physical Education with QTS
Course Structure for BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People and Families
You will experience a wide variety of learning and teaching approaches that are designed to develop your confidence, knowledge and skills as you progress through the programme. We will support you as you make the transition to university through carefully planned induction processes. This will include social and group work activities, confidence building activities and a scaffolded approach so you can understand the thinking behind how your modules and assessments are planned. Managing your transition to Higher Education is more than just a week of activities so we have generated a core module that goes through the whole of the first year to support your developing personal, professional and academic skills.
Some modules are shared with students on other programmes in the department. For example when thinking about safeguarding and child protection there are common themes and common professional skills required, regardless of the age range you are focussing on. This is one module that would be shared with students studying Early Childhood Studies. We believe that whilst it is good to have a focus on your particular field of study, sometimes your learning experience can be enhanced by working with others who are exploring different, but similar contexts. For this reason there are 40 credits of shared modules between your BA Hons Working with Children, Young People and Families and the BA Hons Early Childhood Studies in each year. Placement is an integral part of the programme, there will be chances in your first year to explore and find out information about a range of services that work with, or for, children, young people and families, and to visit and shadow professionals working in this field .
In the second year of the programme you will have the opportunity to undertake a placement in a related service that may focus on education, health or social care for children, young people and their families. We hope that the professional relationships you develop in the first year will enable you to identify a partner who is able to support you on your professional journey, or who may be willing to support one of your peers. We already have good links with a number of partners who can facilitate a placement experience where you can learn from practice.
In your third year your research module Researching Children and Young People’s Services will enable you to carry out a project that requires implementation of a negotiated idea, making change and evaluating the impact of change. All of which develop essential skills for leaders and managers of Children’s Services.
As well as learning through practice a variety of approaches to teaching are used. This will include:
- Workshops
- Virtual Learning Environment - Shareville
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Group projects
- Guest speakers –often professionals
- Visits to settings and services
Further Study
There are a range of post graduate programmes available across the school, faculty and university. Our graduates often go on to study education, social work and health course at post grad level.
Enhancing Employability Skills
A Birmingham City University Graduate is professional and work-ready, a creative problem solver, enterprising and has a global outlook. This expectation is realised through the BA Hons Working with Children, Young People and Families programme which provides you with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of vulnerable children, young people and their families.
Transferable skills are considered very highly throughout the programme should you decide not to work directly with children and young people in the future. We have embraced the Graduate + scheme and there are opportunities throughout the programme for you to receive credit for developing your employability skills.
We have a commitment to learning for life and actively encourage you to develop your own research skills and to pursue your learning journey by building on your first degree to Masters level and beyond. From induction through to your final module your tutor team will support you in exploring career pathways linked to vulnerable children, young people and their families. Working closely with local services will enable you to network and find out what it is like to work in the field.
Placements
Placement is an integral part of the programme, there will be chances in your first year to explore and find out information about a range of services that work with, or for, children, young people and families, and to visit and shadow professionals working in this field – this is so you can not only develop professional skills but can also find out about the wide range of professional careers open to you.
It also about developing transferable skills so that after you have completed your degree you already have a strong CV that makes you really employable. Later on you will have the opportunity to undertake a placement in a related service that may focus on education, health or social care for children, young people and their families. In your final year you will be able to carry out an evaluative study that will be work based.
OpportUNIty

OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC)
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.

BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Where our students go
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
- Action for Children
- Solihull Inclusion Service
- West Midlands Police Force
And in jobs such as:
- Family Support Worker
- Parent Partnership Project Manager
- Outreach Worker
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
As part of these plans, the University's Education provision will join the rest of the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences at our City South Campus in Edgbaston during 2018.
This is the third phase of the University's project to move all teaching and learning to two campuses, City Centre and City South. By moving our Education provision, we are creating a hub for the provision of public service contracts and professional development at City South Campus and improving the student experience with a stronger sense of community and more consistent support services and facilities.

Campus
In addition to classrooms, a lecture theatre, social learning spaces, an open access IT suite and cafe facilities, the new £41 million extension to our City South Campus offers a range of specialist teaching and learning facilities for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education.

Departments
All our departmental facilities replicate the school learning environment.
- Art and Design
- Design and Technology
- History
- English
- Mathematics
- Religious Education
- Music
- Drama
Not only are we investing £41 million in a new building to house the laboratories and teaching spaces needed, but we also plan to open up these facilities to benefit all students and the wider community. This will complement our existing sports facilities, which already provide a base for students to compete in activities ranging from rugby to.
Mary Seacole Library
The Seacole library, based at City South Campus, is one of the UK's largest specialist health education libraries. The facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas, a silent study area and private study rooms.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.

Mark Hetherington
Course Leader HELS Foundation Year / Professional Navigator / Senior Lecturer
Mark joined the Professional Development Department (PDD) in 2018 as a Professional Navigator and as a Academic Skills tutor. During this time he has been involved in the development and running of the Faculty of Health Education and Life Sciences Foundation Year as both a course leader and module leader. At current there are two iterations of the Foundation Year catering for intakes in September and January. The Foundation Year allows students to progress onto a variety of HELS undergraduate courses.