BA (Hons) Early Years Education and Care (with Graduate Practitioner Competencies)

We have designed this course to equip you with the Graduate Practitioner Competencies  you need for employment within the early years sector. The theoretical and practical modules you study will equip you with the knowledge, skills and experience required to meet these competencies.

You will benefit from studying alongside students on related courses. Together you will learn about:

• How children and young people develop
• Child protection and safeguarding requirements
• How specific groups of learners may be labelled and stereotyped, leading to marginalisation and exclusion
• Mental health in children and young people
• The impact of issues such as disability, socio-economic status, trauma and abuse on development and education

The specialist knowledge you will gain by choosing this course includes:

• Identifying and reflecting on the knowledge, skills and values needed to work in the early years sector
• Historical and global approaches to early years education and care, evaluating their influence on today’s professional practices
• Challenges in leadership and management in the early years sector, considering different styles and approaches to leading and managing

Professional practice is central to this course. You will carry out at least 25 days of assessed placement work in every year of study. This qualifies you as having received “full and relevant” training that meets the standards of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network.

Our modules draw on the team's research and our professional experience. The team have experience of a wide range of senior roles in education and social care. We bring our professional values and philosophical approach to our teaching, as well as our academic expertise.

If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to Higher Education, this is a great option for you. Passing a foundation year guarantees you a place on this degree course the following academic year.

Qualifications

• 104 UCAS Tariff points
• 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.

For entry on this course you also need to pass a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

International Students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

Mature Learners Entry Scheme

If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.

This course is ideal if you would like to work with children in early years settings. If you want to teach in a school you could also take this route by studying for a Primary PGCE. 

The skills and knowledge you gain could also lead to a career as a:

• Family support worker
• Social worker
• Police officer
• Local government or housing
• Health worker
• Play therapist