University College Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
This course is accredited by the University of Warwick OVERVIEW Early childhood is viewed as the most formative period of our lives, shaping the foundations for our whole future. If you are passionate about working with young children and their families, our Early Childhood Studies (Graduate Practitioner) degree will give you the knowledge and experience to become a highly qualified graduate practitioner and open the doors to a rewarding career helping to meet the needs of children. Covering work with children aged 0-8 years, our course offers the special benefit of being one of the first Early Childhood Studies degrees in the UK – and the only one in the Birmingham area – to include the new Graduate Practitioner Competencies. Awarded in your final year, these demonstrate your holistic understanding of early childhood and your ability to critically apply knowledge to practice. By adding Graduate Practitioner Competencies to your final award, you’ll be at the forefront of graduate practice and have new opportunities to strengthen your employability, as well as for progression onto postgraduate academic programmes or professional training in everything from teaching to social work and play therapy. Our course will teach you about key characteristics of childhood and how to meet the developmental needs of young children, including wider topics such as inclusion, health, safeguarding, and leadership. You will also gain extensive work experience across a variety of placements and go on visits to observe different childhood approaches first-hand, as well as having opportunities for additional qualifications and enrichment activities including Makaton training, Paediatric First Aid, introductory Lego therapy, and baby massage sessions. WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
- Work placements – From day care and nurseries to primary school mentoring and special education, gain real-life experience on a variety of placements throughout your degree
- Enrichment – Widen your skills with enrichment opportunities such as Lego therapy, Makaton training, baby massage, Paediatric First Aid, and food hygiene
- Industry approved – Our course includes the Graduate Practitioner Competencies developed by the ECSDN (now included in the QAA Early Childhood Studies Subject Benchmark Statements with practice at Level 6 recognised by the DfE)
- Early years teacher/primary school teacher
- Learning mentor
- Family support worker
- Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
- Social worker (NHS)
- Mental health nurse
- Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course
Modules
YEAR 1
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Play
- Growth, Learning and Development
- Introduction to the Early Years Framework
- Nurturing Children's Health and Well-being
- Pioneers, Pedagogy and Philosophy
- The Child in Society
- Child Protection and Safety in Practice
- Developing Research
- Effective Leadership and Management Skills
- SEND within the Early Years Sector
- Theoretical Perspectives of Child Development
- Children of the Future
- Creativity and Play in the Early Years
- Dissertation (SEHC)
- Enhancing Employability for Graduate Practice
- Leading and Managing Systems
- Children's Voice
Assessment method
Note: Indicative information only. Actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction. Please be aware that methods of delivery for this course may be altered due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic – for the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website: www.ucb.ac.uk ASSESSMENT Estimated breakdown of assessment for this degree course:
- Coursework – 100%
How to apply
25Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- X300
- Institution code:
- B35
- Campus name:
- University College Birmingham
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Transferring from another university At University College Birmingham, we consider applications from students who have studied, or are currently studying, a Higher Education course and now wish to transfer universities. What do I need to do? To make an enquiry about studying at University College Birmingham, you will need to complete our online enquiry form -> https://portal.ucb.ac.uk/#/admissions/ucb-direct-apply Transferring from another university At University College Birmingham, we consider applications from students who have studied, or are currently studying, a Higher Education course and now wish to transfer universities. What do I need to do? To make an enquiry about studying at University College Birmingham, you will need to complete our online enquiry form -> https://portal.ucb.ac.uk/#/admissions/ucb-direct-apply Consideration for advanced entry will be dependent on the modules of your previous course, and how well this matches to the content of the course you wish to transfer to at University College Birmingham. Additionally, the process will be dependent on the number of credits achieved on your current course. Where similar study is apparent, it may be possible for us to award Recognition of Previous Learning (RPL) and, therefore, advanced entry onto a course at UCB will be permitted. Please note; due to the nature of this process, all applications are considered on an individual basis.
International applicants
All non-EU international students can apply directly via our online application forms: https://portal.ucb.ac.uk/#/admissions/direct-application/intro Undergraduate applicants can also apply via UCAS, if they wish to apply to more than one university. The International Admissions team aim to respond to any new application made directly via the online application form within 5 working days of receipt. However, this can vary during peak application periods (particularly January-March) or if the team require additional information to process your application. Applicants who apply to transfer to University College Birmingham on to a second year or final year of a course will have their previous course matched for entry. Each application is considered individually and careful consideration is given to all information on your application form. We may also need to contact you regarding your immigration status or previous studies in the UK.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 96 - 80 points
A level - CCC - CDD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM - MMP
Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits
Scottish Higher
GCSE/National 4/National 5
HNC (BTEC) - P
HND (BTEC) - P
T Level - P
Academic Progression Programme (APP) Students who fall short of the 96 UCAS Tariff points (but no less than 60 UCAS points) are still welcome to apply for the BA Early Childhood Studies. In such cases, you will be asked to attend a progression module prior to the start of your course (commencing in June) which requires you to attend a series of lectures and tutorials plus the completion of three assessments. On successful completion of the progression module, students will be offered a place on the degree. Students who are studying a combination of different qualification types will receive an offer that will be inclusive of all Level 3 qualifications.
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Other
Students must also complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). UCB will co-ordinate and fund the completion of the DBS check.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge English Advanced | Level B2 | BA/BSc - Minimum 170 with no less than 160 in any skill FdA/FdSc - Minimum 160 with no less than 150 in any skill |
| IELTS (Academic) | BA/BSc - Overall score of 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each component FdA/FdSc - Overall score of 5.5 with no less than 5.0 in each component | |
| Institution's Own Test | BA/BSc - Overall score of B2 with no less than B2- in in each component FdA/FdSc - Overall score of B2- with no less than B1+ in in each component |
To apply for all undergraduate degrees, if your first language is not English, you will need to sit an approved test in English.
UCB English Language Requirements
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £13500 | Year 1 |
| International | £13500 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
UK:
If you are a UK student enrolling on a Foundation Degree or a BA/BSc at University College Birmingham in 2021/22, your fee for this academic year will be £9,250. A half year tuition fee is £4625.
This is a yearly fee, and will increase with inflation in subsequent years (in line with the government’s permitted rise).
If you are an English student studying your first higher education qualification, you can apply for a tuition fee loan from the Student Loans Company. You will not start repaying this loan until you leave the course and are earning over £25,000 a year.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should apply to Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, or SAAS. The loans and grants available to you will differ from those available from Student Finance England.
UCB does not charge for 24 or 48 week placements.
More information about UK Fees please go to our website here -
https://www.ucb.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/undergraduate-fees/
EU and International:
More information about International Fees please go to our website here - https://www.ucb.ac.uk/our-courses/international/tuition-fees-and-scholarships.aspx
Provider information
University College Birmingham
Summer Row
Birmingham
B3 1JB