This course combines work-based practice with academic study, so students are required to attend lectures and undertake a work placement in a suitable setting. This approach means that graduates are able to either embark upon their career immediately or continue their studies on a related Honours Top-up Degree.
You will gain a grounding in the key theories of child development and learning alongside studies of regulations including the English Early Years Foundation Stage and safeguarding. The course’s distinctiveness also stems from its discussions on ethical, environmental and holistic learning considerations in a childhood context.
The early years lecturing team at UCW have all been employed in the sector and maintain strong links with early years education providers, ensuring a broad range of work placements are available, and their combined experience and knowledge covers a wide range of specialisms.
Many of the students on this course aspire to further and postgraduate study and teaching roles, so you will undertake a substantial individual project on a topic of interest to develop your higher academic research and writing skills.
You will also hear from expert guest lecturers and, at an additional expense, be invited to go on daytrips and longer overseas residential visits. Students from this course have in recent years visited The Gambia, for example.
This Foundation Degree is delivered at our Knightstone Campus in the centre of Weston. Students on this course are also among the first to benefit from the teaching and learning spaces in the our new University Centre in the Winter Gardens, which is also in the centre of Weston.
UCW’s commitment to great graduate outcomes is underpinned by our students having access to a Careers Coaching service for the whole time they are enrolled with us.
Please contact the course leader Mark Wilkins or UCW’s HEART team if you have any questions. It would also be great to see you at our next Open Day, where you can see our facilities and also meet the team.
Students who pass this course are awarded a Foundation Degree validated by Bath Spa University. The agreement between Bath Spa University and UCW is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure academic standards are maintained.
2020 entry full-time tuition fees: £8,250 per year.
2021 entry full-time tuition fees: £8,500 per year.
This covers all of the teaching and assessment elements that are required for students to complete the course.
It also includes:
- The use of UCW equipment and facilities.
- Attendance at guest lectures and conferences at UCW.
- Annual £10 printing and photocopying allowance for full-time students.
- The use of UCW computer equipment at any of our campuses and access to Microsoft Office 365 while you are enrolled with UCW.
- The loans of books from our libraries.
- Access to all of the UCW student support and careers services.
It does not include:
- An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at a cost of £44, which is required to study on this course.
- Optional daytrips and residential visits at an approximate cost of £50 (UK) and £100 (overseas) per day/night.
- Extra printing and photocopying above the £10 limit.
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Transport between our campuses, and to/from your partner university and any work placements. We encourage students to take advantage of termly bus passes to reduce transport costs.
- Accommodation and other living expenses.
UCW publishes its Tuition Fees Policy on the Wider Information Set page of this website.
You may also be eligible for additional financial support, depending on your circumstances.
All of the modules on this course are compulsory and worth either 20 or 40 credits each. Successful completion of all of the modules in the first year is worth 120 credits at Level 4 and equivalent to a Certificate of Higher Education. Successful completion of the second year is also worth 120 credits and will lead to the award of the Level 5 Foundation Degree.
Year 1:
- Curriculum and Pedagogy: Linking Theory and Practice (40 credits)
- Introduction to Early Child Development (20 credits)
- Reflective Practice in Action (20 credits)
- Supporting Young Children’s Holistic Health and Wellbeing (40 credits)
Year 2:
- Contesting Childhood (20 credits)
- Research in Early Childhood (40 credits)
- Supporting Children with Additional Needs (20 credits)
- The Child, Family and Society (40 credits)
This course is taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, workplace practice, presentations, case studies and group workshops. UCW’s Higher Education Library Plus (HE.LP) team also deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students. When not in scheduled lecturers and seminars, students are expected to continue learning through independent self-study. This involves reading relevant literature, working on individual and group projects, and undertaking research in preparation for coursework and exams.
This course has an average of 10.5 hours of scheduled teaching per week and a work experience element totalling 250 hours over the duration of the course.
Assessment is via a combination of practical exams and coursework, with an assessment breakdown of 10% practical exams and 90% coursework. There are no written exams on this Foundation Degree.
Please click on the Course Handbook button to find out more.
- Most of the students who pass this course choose to progress to the 1 year Level 6 BA Honours Top-up Degree in Early Years Education at UCW.
- Graduates are able to seek positions in the early years sector and, subject to further study where necessary, may also pursue related careers in areas such as teaching, social work or family support work.
A minimum of CDD at A Level, or a BTEC Extended Diploma at MMP, or a related Access to Higher Education Diploma, or equivalent. Students with only two A Levels or alternative qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants are also required to attend an interview.
