Student working in classroom

What You Will Study

Students complete the Certificate Stage in Year 1 and the Diploma Stage in Year 2.

Certificate stage modules currently include*:

  • Study and Research Skills
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Personal and Practice Development (1)
  • Promoting Child Health and Wellbeing
  • Early Years Observation and Assessment
  • Early Years Learning Approaches and Play

Diploma Stage modules currently include*:

  • Research in the Early Years Sector
  • Reflective Practitioner
  • Partnerships with Parents and Families
  • Personal and Practice Development (2)
  • Safeguarding Babies and Young Children in the Early Years
  • Leadership and Empowerment

*May be subject to change from year to year, due to curriculum updating/sector changes. Assessments for the course may take a variety of forms, from practical tasks, group work and presentations to formal, written assignments and reports.

To ensure your learning is current and valid we have mapped the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network (ECSDN) Graduate Practitioner Competencies to each module. ECSDN Booklet - Front Cover July 2020.

  • Entry Requirements

    48 UCAS Tariff points from either:

    • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (QCF) in Children's Play, Learning and Development
    • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) in a relevant subject (e.g. Childcare, Health and Social Care)
    • A Levels

    You must be over 18 years of age and should be employed within the sector, either paid or unpaid, for a minimum of 240 hours over the three year period.

    The following are also required:

    • An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
    • Two satisfactory references
    • A work-based mentor (You will also receive workplace visits from your tutors)
    • Grade C/4 or above in GCSE English
    • Grade C/4 and above in GCSE Maths and Science (desirable)

    Applications from mature students with relevant professional/life experience are welcome. You might be required to provide further evidence to decide on your suitability for the course and an admissions test may be used in certain circumstances.

  • Fee Information

    Full time: £7,400 Part time: £3,700 per year

  • Further Study

    After successful completion of the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, you may progress, subject to a selection process, to the final stage of the degree in Education at the University of Hull:

    • BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care
    • BA (Hons) Learning and Teaching – Primary Education with QTS (for applicants with substantial primary school (5-11) experience)
    • BA (Hons) Education and Learning

    A range of job roles are possible after successful completion of the Foundation Degree/Top Up Degree including:

    • Nursery Manager or Supervisor
    • Early Years Teacher
    • Learning Mentor
    • Primary School Teacher
    • Teaching Assistant
    • Nanny
    • Childminder
    • Youth Worker
    • Social Worker

    With further specialist study, other job opportunities may include:

    • Community Development Worker
    • Counsellor
    • Educational Psychologist
    • Paediatric Nurse
    • Speech and Language Therapist

    Past learners have progressed on to the following careers:

    • Management positions in Early Years nurseries/settings
    • Higher Level Teaching assistant roles
    • Primary School Teachers
    • Early Years Practitioners in nursery settings
    • Social Work
    • Running their own businesses in the Early Years sector