Working with Children, Young People and Families with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons) *
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BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People, and Families is a course with social justice and equality at its heart. It is an exciting, contemporary degree which will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to work effectively with children, young people and families in a range of professional settings....
- Level Foundation
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City South
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Education and Social Work
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People, and Families is a course with social justice and equality at its heart. It is an exciting, contemporary degree which will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to work effectively with children, young people and families in a range of professional settings. The ethos of social justice is woven throughout the theoretical and practical aspects of the course. We will provide you with a range of teaching and learning experiences to build on your motivations and existing skills so that you can contribute positively to a changing society, particularly with services who work with, or for, vulnerable children, young people, and their families.
We recognise the importance of giving you the autonomy to shape your academic path. Alongside essential core components which will ensure you explore the breadth of this subject, you will have choices in your placement settings and optional modules, which will enable you to tailor your degree to your career aspirations as they evolve.
Practical placements are an important part of the course, in each year of the programme you will gain valuable hands-on experience working in a professional setting. This will allow you to apply the theoretical knowledge you have gained in classes to real-life situations, developing the practical skills and competencies essential for you to work in the field. You will have the opportunity to observe and learn from experienced professionals, gaining insight into best practices, techniques, and approaches used in the field. Your time in practice will also give you the chance to build professional networks and make connections that may prove beneficial when you are looking to move into employment after graduation.
Overall, this course will provide you with a rich and rewarding learning experience that will be invaluable to a range of potential future careers in areas of work with young people, community development and education, youth engagement and inclusion, community cohesion, as well as postgraduate study. Whatever path you choose to pursue on completion of the course, you will take with you a professional practice grounded in the theory and practice of community-based, informal education.
Foundation year
The BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People and Families with a Foundation Year course has been specifically designed to support your transition to degree-level study in Education. As a student, you will undertake a foundation year situated at level 3 study, which has been designed as a prelude to your chosen degree course, providing opportunities for you to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding. Your learning journey through your foundation year will provide a secure platform on which you can build throughout your academic career in higher education.
As part of the foundation year, you will explore and develop number of essential academic, interpersonal and professional skills that will help you succeed in your future degree level studies.
On successful completion of your foundation year, you are guaranteed to progress on to the first year of the BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People and Families degree. If you are interested in progressing on to one of our other Education and Social Work degrees, this will be subject to space available on those courses and on meeting the relevant entry requirements, which may include passing an interview.
What's covered in this course?
With a focus on personal and professional development, our course will support you to 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 into an effective agent of change, making a difference to vulnerable children and young people, and providing family support.
Many people who choose to undertake this degree do so because they want to make a difference. The rights of children and young people, and a commitment to social justice, equity, sustainability, anti-discrimination, community empowerment and collective action are at the centre of what we believe, teach and research. As you progress through the course you will work and learn together with experienced tutors and professionals to become a confident and competent advocate of children and young people, developing your own personal and professional skills so that you can be influential in developing sustainable practice, provision, and policy in your future career.
We will encourage you to develop your communication skills in a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Drawing on our close interaction and partnerships with the sector, as well as digital technologies, case studies and practical experiences, we will help you to take calculated risks as you deepen your knowledge of yourself, alongside your skills and understanding of working with children, young people, and families.
Tutors on the course come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and are research active, understanding the demands of study, work, and family life. They are committed to the agenda of social justice, equity, anti-discrimination, community empowerment, sustainability and collective action that underpins the course.
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.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 19 October 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
80 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: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year foundation followed by 3 year degree
- £9,250 in 2025/26
- Apply via UCAS
International 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: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year foundation followed by 3 year degree
- £17,690 in 2025/26
Guidance for UK/EU students
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
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Course in Depth
Foundation Year
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
This module is designed to support you in your transition to studying in a Higher Education environment at Birmingham City University. Through a range of class-based group and individual activities, discussions, debates, personal reflection and wider reading and research, you will have opportunities to consider academic conventions, which include: effective use of literature; sourcing and reviewing information; various forms of academic writing; developing reflective capacity. You will also receive guidance on study skills and strategies, which will enhance previously acquired skills.
This module will focus on enabling you to gain a deeper understanding of the interpersonal skills and behaviours required to work in your chosen area. Through a range of class based and student focused activities you will explore the different concepts of effective interpersonal and professional behaviours essential to your own personal development and progression. By engaging in this module you will reflect on your own and others values, beliefs and behaviours identifying how this can impact on the way in which you will be viewed by others. You will also address the importance of effective communication and how this can lead you to have a more professional approach in your chose area of work.
This module is designed to help you gain awareness and understanding of current challenges around Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity and how this impacts upon the Health, Education and Social Sciences sector, preparing you for your future education and journey into practice. Introducing the Equality Act 2010 as the overarching legislation that focuses on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, the module is based on themes that are covered by this Act. The nine protected characteristics, upon which a person can be discriminated, as laid down in the Equality Act, will be discussed throughout and you will be introduced to case studies relevant to your chosen pathways.
This module is designed to support you in your transition to studying in a Higher Education environment at Birmingham City University, allowing you the opportunity to negotiate learning of a bespoke subject. Under the guidance of tutors, you will be able to direct your learning and identify relevant learning opportunities that you feel enable you to learning more about a specific field of study. The subject area within this module is student-led, with guidance and facilitation from designated academic and practice support. You will identify an area of study that you would like to review and evaluate, and which relates to your foundation year pathway and indicate programme.
This module will be studied in Semester 1 and provides opportunities for you to develop an understanding of children and society in Birmingham. As the country’s second city, Birmingham offers a rich context for your studies and provides a perfect example of the ways in which children and society inter-relate. You will also be laying foundations for your future studies by gaining knowledge of the environments affecting your chosen degree discipline. No matter where you are from, exploring the ways in which a highly diverse city such as Birmingham provides for the needs of children will provide an invaluable insight.
This module will be studied in Semester 2 and provides opportunities for you to develop an understanding of the politics and policies that impact society, childhood and education. Key aspects of working practice in the disciplines listed above are determined by the policies that come from the government; in the majority of cases, a government department oversees and regulates practice through its policies. This modules will explore the way in which the British constitution works, how policy making takes place and the impact that this has on society, childhood and education. The module will also consider the political spectrum and the way that this impacts policy. Importantly, as someone considering moving into the areas of study outlined above, you will also have the opportunity to consider your own perspectives and the ways in which you have been influenced by policy and politics, and the ways in which you might go on to affect them as a citizen and as a member of a given profession.
Year One
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
The starting point for this course is the premise that self-awareness leads to meaningful personal and professional development. Accordingly, this module aims to help you to deepen your understanding of who you are. You will be encouraged to explore your values, beliefs, and emotions, evaluate your own areas of confidence and learn how this influences your personal development, including the development of your future practice.
This module recognises that transitioning into higher education represents a significant milestone in a student's academic journey, signifying a period of personal growth. However, it can also present challenges, as students must adapt to a range of increased academic demands and expectations. The module is specifically designed to support students through this transition by equipping them with essential academic skills and strategies necessary for success in their undergraduate studies. Its primary objective is to provide new students with the necessary tools to effectively manage their studies, enhance their academic writing and research skills, and cultivate their critical thinking abilities.
This module aims to provide an understanding of social justice with a specific focus on the concepts of equality, diversity, and inclusion and its impact on children, young people and families. You will learn about different forms of discrimination and inequality, as well as strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion.
Theories of inclusion, social exclusion, and discrimination will be approached through a critical review of concepts and examination of local, national, and international policy and practice. The role of individual and state responsibilities will feature significantly as you unpick the underlying barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion whilst considering how workers in the sector can promote social justice and equality, diversity and inclusion.
Effective early intervention is at the heart of interdisciplinary practice and can maximise children’s potential in their holistic development. Effective early intervention creates opportunities for social inclusion, participation, and development of key life skills and independence with long-term benefits for education and employment but perhaps also an important quality of life.
Effective early intervention is noted as a set of services to allow intervention to support a child and their family during any possible time in his or her education to prevent or minimise long-term difficulties early. The benefits of effective early intervention are known in the UK when services fail to collaborate, they fail to achieve the maximum potential for these children and families. This type of intervention has a social and emotional foundation for higher levels of well-being and consequently, families have reported confidence in long-term progress when involved.
This module examines the professional practices associated with working with children, young people, and families. Students will professionally prepare themselves to undertake a placement and examine the professional landscape which they will be working within.
During this module, students participate in their first professional placement and critically reflect on their professional experiences during their placement. The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop their practice in workplaces which involve working with children, young people, and families; as well as critically reflect upon how this experience informs their future practice in the sector.
Year Two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 80 hours of Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your practical skills. Your will also be able to showcase your personal and professional skills, attitudes and behaviours gained from this valuable practical experience.
Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own skills and those of practitioners currently in the field and workplace. You will describe the skills, knowledge and experience in relation to your placement including issues such as advocating for children, families and wellbeing. In addition, you will develop an action plan to support your future development at Level 6 by reflecting on your placement experience. You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+.
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to reflect on your professional identity including personal and professional development. The purpose of this module is to help you identify and improve your employability skills which will, through the course of your studies enhance your personal and professional skills.
Furthermore, by completing a range of reflective tasks you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of work readiness in relation to roles within the professional field. You will explore the value of employer expectations within the sector, key skills such as confidence, teamwork, networks and relationships, interpersonal skills and professional knowledge.
You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ and the Graduate Plus programme. You will explore roles available within the sector and start to consider the development of your CV.
This module is an introduction to carrying out research projects. As well as developing your understanding of key aspects of research in education, this module will also prepare you for your final research project at Level 6. The module will support you to engage in a critical analysis of contemporary issues and debates in research, policy and practice related to your field of study. You will identify and design a small-scale study, in readiness for your research project module at Level 6.
The module will take you through the key stages in designing a piece of research, including identifying and justifying a suitable research question, conducting a literature review, deciding on appropriate research methods, and considering ethical considerations in research. By the end of the module, you will be able to carry out an extended research project relevant to your degree subject.
This module provides students with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical, legal, and practical aspects of children and young people's rights and identities. Students will explore the impact of social, cultural, and political factors on the formation of children and young people's identities and their access to rights and services. The module covers topics such as children's rights frameworks, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, child protection, safeguarding, and inclusion.
This module will explore safeguarding and child protection including the necessary skills, values and attributes to be a successful professional working with a range of children’s services. You will build on your previous learning by focusing on the roles and responsibilities of professionals in a safeguarding context. This will include key legislation, policy and evaluate processes that exist to support children who have or are likely to suffer significant harm. You will consider discrimination, which affects individual children, young people and families.
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
This module focuses on understanding and addressing mental health issues specifically related to children, young people, and families. This module aims to equip students with knowledge and practical skills to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in these populations.
It explores various factors that influence mental health during different developmental stages, effective intervention strategies, and the importance of collaboration with families and other professionals. Students will gain an understanding of ethical considerations, cultural sensitivity, and relevant legal frameworks when working with children, young people, and families.
This module explores the transformative potential of learning and its role in empowering individuals and communities. It recognises the existing impact of learning in non-judgmental, facilitative, and supportive contexts, especially in enhancing the power of change for marginalised groups, such as young people and community members. The module focuses on key issues related to informal teaching, learning, and the development of knowledge and skills within youth and community contexts.
Drawing upon the rich traditions of social pedagogy in the UK and internationally, the module examines its historical development and explores contemporary contexts where social pedagogy has become a fundamental practice for professionals. This includes an exploration of digital youth work as an integral part of this field.
In line with the philosophy and aims of the programme, this module will respond to contemporary perspectives and issues affecting children, young people, families and communities. A strong commitment to inclusive values will be reinforced and will empower you to address issues of equality, disadvantage, diversity and social justice to optimise the life chances of children, young people and their families.
The module will be interactive, engaging and challenging with a range of guest speakers contributing, designed to promote your independence and confidence to enable you to be an advocate for children, young people and families and an agent for change. The module is highly responsive to changes and developments and will provide you with an in depth understanding of how issues may impact your work in your chosen field.
This optional module aims to provide you with an overview of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in a UK context.
The focus of this module is for you to consider the impact SEND can have on child’s / young person’s (0-25) personality, their learning opportunities, and potential barriers, which they might have to face both in the education system and in the wider society. This module offers a unique approach to understanding the child / young person as a learner and the impact of a SEND on the individual and their family. This module hopes to develop your thinking and perceptions of SEND through different models, towards recognising the impact of the condition upon the person as an individual. This will expand your thinking with a positive impact on your practice, enabling you to consider ways of developing an approach which considers the wider impact of SEND and recognises the role and challenges faced by families.
This module hopes to equip you with confidence as your understanding of learners with different/various needs develop. You will be able to identify strategies to increase engagement in the learning process regardless of the learner’s age or ability.
Year Three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
This module enables and supports you to conceive, plan, and conduct a small-scale research project that attends and adheres to key ethical principles, in an area relevant to your programme of study.
This module encourages you to engage in independent and collaborative critical analysis of contemporary issues and debates in your research focus area, in policy and in practice. You will be provided with an opportunity to clarify your understanding of key research terms, as well as to consider the link between epistemology, methodology and methods, and the impact that your own personal philosophies have upon the design of your study.
Historically, advocacy, activism and social movements have attempted to address a wide range of social problems and influence social change and policy. This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to advocate, engage in activism, and create social change for children, young people, and families.
You will explore the principles of advocacy, activism and social movements, understand the legal and policy frameworks that shape social change, and develop effective communication skills to engage with different stakeholders. You will also examine the challenges and opportunities of working with diverse groups and the importance of cultural competency in advocacy and activism.
By the end of the module, you will have an understanding the processes involved in advocacy and activism and how they can influence social change.
This module will focus on family-centred practice in diverse contexts. To set the scene you will explore what a family is.
You will look at traditional and more recent family structures and investigate why these changes have occurred both nationally and globally. A range of traditional and modern parenting styles will be discussed and how these approaches can influence family dynamics. International and national policy will be considered and how this can impact on family-centred practice.
You will contemplate what we mean by a diverse context and explore the challenges that families may face. A number of different factors that can also affect families will be analysed to support you in your practice on placement. Relevant theory and research will underpin your analysis.
Reflective practice is essential for those working as interdisciplinary practitioners within education, health, and social work. As interdisciplinary working becomes more common, finding shared ways of reflection on practice is becoming more and more important. You will develop your understanding of theories of reflective practice and be able to relate these to your work experience within an interprofessional context.
You will deepen your understanding of how an ability to reflect on our own experiences is an important tool for development of understanding of self in the context of experience, which can lead to improvement in practice or a transfer of excellence in one area to another thereby improving your professional practice.
You will be supported to develop your ability to recognise and reflect on development opportunities in practice which will be a vital transferable skill throughout your future career. To successfully complete this module, you will need to have undertaken work experience in an area that is relevant to interprofessional working.
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
This module aims to critically examine and challenge the colonial legacies embedded within children, young people, and family work. It focuses on decolonising practices, reclaiming marginalised voices, and empowering communities.
Students will explore the historical and cultural contexts that have shaped traditional approaches in these fields and develop a deep understanding of the impact of colonisation on the lived experiences of children, young people, and families. Through engaging with diverse perspectives and alternative frameworks, students will learn to apply decolonising principles and practices in their work, fostering inclusive and empowering environments.
This module focuses on equipping students with the necessary skills to provide effective support and promote emotional wellbeing among children, young people, and families. Students will explore various techniques and approaches to enhance emotional wellbeing, develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by these populations, and gain practical skills to support individuals and families in managing their emotional health.
The module emphasises the importance of creating a supportive and empowering environment, fostering resilience, and collaborating with families and professionals to maximise positive outcomes.
This module will explore the theoretical and practical aspects of anti-racist practice within the context of childhood, youth, and community work. The module will examine the impact of systemic racism on young people and communities, and critically evaluate the role of practitioners in promoting social justice and equality.
Students will develop a critical understanding of the complexities of race and racism and will explore strategies for addressing racism in their practice. The module will also focus on the development of inclusive and anti-oppressive practice and will examine the challenges of working with diverse communities.
Professional placement is an integral part of your undergraduate degree. The purpose of the professional placement allows you to see how the theory is put into practice and at level 6 to put the theory into practice yourself to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market within an interdisciplinary professional context.
Furthermore, by completing the professional placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect on your own professional skills development within the workplace. You will benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance. The module is assessed via a portfolio of work to document and evidence your experience throughout the placement. The credits awarded following successful completion of the professional placement module will count towards the classification of the final award.
Formative feedback will be provided on at least one occasion prior to the final submission of the portfolio where a submission of your portfolio will be reviewed. The portfolio submission will include a poster or reflective artefact to enable you to evaluate concisely your professional journey and the graduate attributes you have gained throughout the placement experience. You will be expected to reflect on your current skills, behaviours, and attitudes within a professional environment and demonstrate how the professional placement has served to enhance these.
Download course specification
Download nowCourse 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
Employability
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.
International
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:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our facilities
Our School of Education and Social Work is based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.
We’ve spent £41million expanding the education facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice. Alongside classrooms and lecture theatres, we also have a range of specialist teaching and learning spaces for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education.
As well as subject-specific rooms, our facilities include the Primary Innovation Lab, which houses £24,000 worth of LEGO. This room is a special resource for our education students, offering an innovative and creative way to approach subjects across the curriculum – from computing to English, mathematics to art. The lab responds to research that children and young people learn best from practical experience.
Our Social Work students have access to a home environment room and mock hospital wards which offer an opportunity to gain experience of working with service users in different situations.
Computer facilities
The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.
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.
In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.
Our staff
Julie Davis
Foundation Year Lecturer
Julie joined the ADD (Academic Development Department) in 2018 as a Lecturer on the HELS Foundation Year programme. Prior to joining Birmingham City University, she worked at a number of local FE and HE institutions where she developed and delivered a range of Early Years and Education programmes.
More about JulieJessica Lowe
Foundation Year Lecturer
Jessica joined the ADD (Academic Development Department) in 2019 as a Lecturer on the HELS Foundation Year Programme. Her role is to lead and develop modules to support students on their journey on the Foundation Year Programme. Prior to joining BCU, she has worked in a FE and HE institution teaching students on a range of courses in Early Years...
More about Jessica