Early Years - FdA - 2025/26 Entry | Birmingham City University

Overview

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

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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

48 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.

Qualification	Entry requirements
A Level	48 UCAS Tariff points from three A Levels Grades DD (or equivalent)
Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate)	48 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
T Level	Pass overall (E or above on the core) Accepted subjects: Education
Access to HE Diploma	Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Education subjects preferred but other subjects also considered
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications	48 UCAS Tariff points
NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications	48 UCAS Tariff points Accepted subjects: Childcare and Education; Children's Care, Learning and Development; Children and Young People's Workforce; Health and Social Care; Early Years Education and Care
WJEC Level 3 qualifications	48 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers)	Minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher	48 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
Welsh Baccalaureate	48 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications

If you're applying with an International Baccalaureate Diploma or international qualifications, please see further information below.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply

UK Student
International Student

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 2025

Full Time
2 years
£7,725 in 2025/26 ^{✱ Important note for this price}
Apply via UCAS

Part Time
3 years
£5,150 in 2025/26 ^{✱ Important note for this price}

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: FdA

Starting: Sep 2025

Full Time
2 years
£7,725 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment

Students can use computers in their classrooms during their lessons. If preferred students can also bring in their own laptops. Students also have the option to borrow a laptop.

Printing

You will receive £10 print credit for each term in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the College can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

DBS check

If you are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for this course, the cost for your first DBS check is included in your fees.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £10 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 4p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. Students can purchase stationery at a reduced cost from our library.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

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.

Part-time applications

Applications for the part-time option should be made direct to South and City College Birmingham:

Phone: +44 (0)121 694 5000
Email: admissions@sccb.ac.uk
Web: www.sccb.ac.uk

Guidance for International students

There are three ways to apply:

1) Direct to the University

You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

2) Through a country representative

Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

3) Through UCAS

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Course choice

Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?

Career plans

If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.

Work experience

Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.

School or college experience

Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.

Non-accredited skills or achievement

eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Get more information on writing personal statements.

Work Experience

It is not a requirement to obtain work experience in a school or education setting before applying for a teacher training course, so if you are unable to obtain work experience, this will not affect your application. If you would like to gain some experience to help prepare you for your course, there are other options available. The UCAS website details a range of alternative activities that you might want to consider.

UCAS

Financial Support

We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.

Course in Depth

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Course 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

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.

Early Years - FdA