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The Early Years, Childhood and Family Studies (Top Up)* programme provides a creative, inter-disciplinary community of learning and research.
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Early Years, Childhood and Family Studies (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

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  3. Early Years, Childhood and Family Studies (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

Key Facts

  • Duration

    Distance Learning Part Time UK: 2 Years
    Distance Learning Full Time UK: 1 Year

  • Level

    UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)

  • Starting

    September

    SEP

    Updated 21/11/2025

    Updated 21/11/2025

    Get in touch

    UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

    study@northampton.ac.uk
    0300 303 2772

    INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

    international@northampton.ac.uk
    44 (0)1604 892134

    Overview

    The Early Years, Childhood and Family Studies Top Up programme provides a creative, inter-disciplinary community of learning and research. It is designed to critically apply theory to practice and evaluate current approaches to the socio-political context of early years, childhood (ages 0-25) and families.

    This taught distance learning programme is facilitated by academics with professional backgrounds in early years, social work, health and working with young people.

    The Early Years, Childhood and Family Studies Top Up course recognises the complex qualification and training routes for those working with children and families and aims to provide progression routes for those with a range of relevant Higher Education and occupational qualifications provided admissions criteria are met.

    We will proactively support you to develop the study skills needed for Level 6 throughout the programme.

    Highlights

    • Distance learning programme, taught by experienced academics with a range of professional experience working with children and families
    • The opportunity to study and work
    • Two optional modules
    • Option to complete Early Childhood Graduate Competencies
    • Guaranteed interview for PGCE Primary Education (5-11) on completion (T&Cs apply)

    Entry Requirements

    You will need to hold a Foundation Degree/ HND/Dip HE or a relevant Level 5 Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) including apprenticeships in Early Years, working with children and families or closely related subject.

    Applicants with a Level 5 Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ)/apprenticeship will need to:

    • Undertake a Skills Audit
    • Have at least one year experience in working in the early years, and/or with children and families
    • Be employed or volunteering in a relevant setting
    • Write a statement of how you have applied knowledge to practice
    • Attend an online interview
    • Have an academic reference

    In addition to general entry requirements, applicants are expected to have written English and Mathematics GCSEs grade C/4 or above. You will be expected to demonstrate your commitment to the programme by having previous experience of working in the early years, or with children, young people and families

    All offers of a place on the Early Years Childhood Studies Degree will be made to applicants after completion of meeting all the entry requirements.

    For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

    If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

    All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 6.0 in all bands
      for study at undergraduate level

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

    What You'll Learn

    You will start the Early Years Top Up Degree by completing study skills aimed at revisiting or learning the academic skills required at Level 6. You will then study six modules that have been designed to support you and apply your studies around your area of interest and/or practice. All the modules, except the dissertation, have two assignments that have been devised to enable you to evidence your knowledge and skills in a variety of ways.

    For those working in early years you may choose to complete the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioners Competencies. Successful students are awarded a certificate alongside their degree.

    Compulsory Modules

    The purpose of this module is examine theory and practice of leadership and management in services for children and families in local, national and global contextsStudents reflect on professional roles in leading and supporting others.

    The purpose of this module is to provide a framework for students to develop their understanding of research, enabling them to critique published research in relation to work with children and familiesStudents will build their own research capabilities prior to undertaking research for their dissertation.

    This module will enable students to explore local, national and global perspectives of contemporary family life and its importance in children s development and wellbeingThey will also develop their understanding of the role of different communities in supporting and strengthening family life.

    The purpose of this module is to support students to design and conduct a small-scale investigation into a topic/aspect of practice or policy of their own choosing within the broad area of services for children and families.

    Optional Modules

    The purpose of this module is to allow students to evidence their knowledge, understanding and skills in order to achieve the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner CompetenciesThrough evidencing high-level academic knowledge students by way of completion of a portfolio of evidence and a viva voce, the student will show that they can meet the competencies.

    This module will provide students with the opportunity to explore current debates and controversies in childhood and youth including local, national, global and digital dimensions and comparisonsThey will also develop their understanding of the professional roles in supporting the development and wellbeing of children and young people.

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

    How will I be assessed on this Early Years, Childhood and Family Studies Top-Up course?

    There are no exams, you are assessed though course work.  These are two assessments per module and a dissertation

    Are there any special features on the Top Up BA Degree in Early Childhood Education?

    Our focus is on providing a high-quality supportive learning opportunities for students who have followed academic or technical pathways. You will be taught by a range of academics with professional backgrounds in early years, primary education, social work and health. They aim to provide a robust learning experience that will support students to continue on their lifelong learning journey and open up opportunities for themselves to apply for postgraduate professional programmes, such as teaching, social work and youth work or continue onto a Master’s programmes.

    There is a strong focus on study skills which are embedded at the start of the programme to support all students to refresh or develop the skills required for success at Level 6.

    Students with an Early Years background can complete the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competences.

    How am I taught on the Early Years Top Up Degree?

    This is a distance learning programme that will involve two online taught twilight sessions per week for one year full time students, and one twilight session per week for part time students over two years. There will also be tasks to support application of learning to the work place.

    Fees and Funding

    2025/26 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time Distance Learning: £5,860
    • UK – Part Time Distance Learning: £975 per 20 credits
    • International – Full Time Distance Learning: £5,860
    • International – Part Time Distance Learning: £975 per 20 credits

    There are currently no additional costs anticipated for this course.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

    Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time Distance Learning: £5,720
    • UK – Part Time Distance Learning: £950 per 20 credits
    • International – Full Time Distance Learning: £5,720
    • International – Part Time Distance Learning: £950 per 20 credits

    Staff

    David Meechan, Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)
    Helen Simmons, Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)
    Tanya Richardson, Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)
    Peter Goy, Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)

    Careers and Employability

    Successful graduates of the Early Years, Childhood and Family Studies Top-Up could progress onto the following Master’s and postgraduate courses:

    • PGCE Primary Education QTS (5-11)
    • MA Social Work
    • MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health
    • Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Practice in Infant Mental Health and Wellbeing

    Upon completion of the Top Up Degree in Early Childhood Education graduates could go onto careers in the following fields:

    • Teaching
    • Social work
    • Youth work
    • Mental Health
    • Play Therapy

    Is this course for you?

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