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

Course Content

• Course Details

  You will start the programme 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.

  The modules are:

  • Working with Families and Developing Communities
  • Graduate Leadership
  • Building a Curriculum for Excellence or Contemporary Issues in Childhood and Youth
  • Research and Inquiry
  • Dissertation

  The dissertation module provides you with the opportunity to undertake primary research into your area of special interest.

  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.

  Watch Prof Eunice Lumsden as she talks about her career in childhood, youth and families, what diversity and inclusivity mean to her, holistic safeguarding, why policymakers need to use up to date research, and more.

  Module information can be found on the Award Map

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

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• 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

  A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required if you are not already working in a setting. An employer DBS declaration form can be completed if you are working in an setting.

  All offers of a place on the Early Years, Childhood and Family Studies (Top Up) degree will be made to applicants after completion of meeting all the entry requirements, and will be conditional subject to:

  • a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

  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.

  English Language Requirements

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

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level

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

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• Fees and Funding

  2024/25 Tuition Fees

  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

  2023/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time Distance Learning: £5,550
  • UK – Part Time Distance Learning: £5,550
  • International – Full Time Distance Learning: £5,550
  • International – Part Time Distance Learning: £5,550

  Additional Costs

  There are currently no additional costs anticipated for this course.

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

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• FAQs

  How will I be assessed on this Education top-up?

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

  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?

  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.

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