Early Years - FdA
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
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....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Award FdA
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location South and City College Birmingham
This course is:
Open to International Students
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
Similar Courses
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.
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 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- 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
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 2 years
- £7,725 in 2025/26
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.
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
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.
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
Facilities
This course runs at South & City College Birmingham's Digbeth Campus.