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Early Childhood Studies at University College Birmingham - UCAS

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)
PLACEMENTS Our course includes a mandatory requirement of 200 hours on placement each year. Year 1 and 2 placements will focus on early childhood (ages 0-8) while the Year 3 placement will be determined where possible by your eventual career choice. Employers we have worked with include Aston University Nursery and Pre-school, Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies, Arden Primary School, Queen Alexandra College, James Brindley Parkway, Little Scallywags Day Nursery and St Thomas Centre Nursery. CAREERS AND PROGRESSION Examples of careers you could pursue following this course:
  • Early years teacher/primary school teacher
  • Learning mentor
  • Family support worker
  • Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
  • Social worker (NHS)
  • Mental health nurse
You could also progress onto one of our postgraduate courses at University College Birmingham.
  • 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
YEAR 2
  • Child Protection and Safety in Practice
  • Developing Research
  • Effective Leadership and Management Skills
  • SEND within the Early Years Sector
  • Theoretical Perspectives of Child Development
Plus one option from:
  • Children of the Future
  • Creativity and Play in the Early Years
YEAR 3
  • Dissertation (SEHC)
  • Enhancing Employability for Graduate Practice
  • Leading and Managing Systems
Plus one option from:
  • Children's Voice
- Socio-Historical Aspect of Childhood

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%
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.


How to apply

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

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

TestGradeAdditional details
Cambridge English AdvancedLevel B2BA/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 TestBA/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

http://www.ucb.ac.uk/our-courses/international/english-language-requirements/english-language-requirements-table.aspx


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
80%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
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

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

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
Early Childhood Studies at University College Birmingham - UCAS