Early Years Foundation Degree FdA

• Overview

  This course will give you sound theoretical and practical knowledge including children’s rights, child health and wellbeing, family and cultural contexts, and the principles of inclusive practice. It is made up of both taught and work-based elements through which you can apply your knowledge to real work contexts.

  Course

  Highlights

  • For those already working in an early years setting.
  • Specialist focus on young children.
  • Allows you to work while studying.

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  This Foundation Degree in Early Years recognises your knowledge and experience as a practitioner working with young children and babies from birth to the age of five. It can also be the first step towards gaining a BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies and subsequent progression to Early Years Teacher Status (0-5), Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or an MA in Social Work.

  This short film explains more about the course:

  Visit our Early Inspirations webpage for early years news, events, and resources.

  The focus of this course is to give you an understanding of a variety of contexts relating to young children and their families, with sufficient appreciation of reception and Key Stage 1 so that you can plan transitions effectively.

  Our tutors are experienced professionals from a variety of fields within education, health, inclusion and social care. You will study the Early Years Foundation Stage in some detail, to develop your theoretical knowledge and critical analysis skills.

  Throughout the course, we promote the importance of children’s rights, their family and cultural context and the principles of inclusive practice.
  We recognise that students on the FdA are usually experienced practitioners returning to learning, so a key focus for the first year is developing your academic writing and study skills.

  In the second year, we emphasise the collaborative aspects of early years practice, particularly looking at inter-agency co-operation. You will be assessing and recording children’s development in an early years context, planning and managing sessions, creating Individual Education Plans and so on.

  Opportunities Abroad

  This year a group of Early Years students had the opportunity to visit a European country with their tutors to immerse themselves in different types of kindergartens. One of our students, Amy shares her story.

  Schedule

  This is a two-year, full-time course, with taught sessions one day per week, starting in early September.

  Assessments

  There are no exams on this course. Instead, assessment is continuous, through practical and audio visual projects, presentations and essays.

  We have a range of support services to help you during your time at university, read our handy blog on the help you can get at university.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Schedule

  This is a two-year, full-time course, with taught sessions one day per week, starting in early September.

• Careers and Events
  • Open Days

    See for yourself

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying at The University of Northampton.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    This degree is excellent preparation for careers in an Early Years setting. Foundation Degree graduates typically go on to become leaders or managers of nurseries. You have the option to top-up to a full honours degree in Early Childhood Studies and continue onto a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Early Years Teacher Status course or the School Direct route into teaching.

    The Foundation Degree in Early Years can open up a variety of careers.

    
• Requirements

  Participants must be in employment in an early years setting for at least 16 hours a week and have at least a year’s experience of work in early years contexts. They must also have a positive reference from their employer or head of Early Years setting. They will have appropriate levels of numeracy and literacy to support children and have an NVQ level 3 in early years or related subject or equivalent qualification. A typical offer would be DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC, in addition to having a C/4 or above in GCSE English and Maths (or in an equivalent qualification such as functional skills).

  For information on how to apply to study with us, please see our How to Apply page.

   

  Contacts

  Course enquiries
  study@northampton.ac.uk

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Enquire online
  Online enquiry form

  Applying for 2019
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2

  • Professional and Academic Development 1 (40 Credits)
    Module code: EYS1110

    Core Module Y
  • Understanding Children's Development (40 Credits)
    Module code: EYS1111

    Core Module Y
  • Health and Community (40 Credits)
    Module code: EYS1112

    Core Module Y

  • Professional and Academic Development 2 (40 Credits)
    Module code: EYS2109

    Core Module Y
  • Promoting Children's Learning and Development (40 Credits)
    Module code: EYS2110

    Core Module Y
  • Children's Rights and Safeguarding (20 Credits)
    Module code: EYS2111

    Core Module Y
  • Diversity, Disadvantage and Inclusion (20 Credits)
    Module code: EYS2112

    Core Module Y

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  This course has a specialist focus on young children and is delivered as day release, allowing you to work while you study.

• Further Studies
  • Top-up

    Further your study

    On successful completion of the Early Years Foundation Degree FdA, you may be eligable to apply to top-up your qualification to a full honours degree with our Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons).

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module

  Additional Costs

  During the programme you may have the opportunity to join a study trip. Previously, students have visited Hungary to immerse themselves into different kindergartens. Typically, the cost of this trip will cost no more than £400. Students normally allow an additional £100 – £250 for their expenses.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,400 per 20 credit module

*Course data provided by Unistats