University College Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
OVERVIEW Our childhood experiences shape all our lives. Being part of that journey, as a professional helping children and their families, makes for a hugely rewarding career. If you dream of working in this field but want the flexibility of distance learning, University College Birmingham’s Childhood and Education Studies degree course allows you to study online and gain the knowledge, understanding and transferable skills to explore a wide range of jobs in this sector. Preparing you for a constantly changing job market, our online degree will provide you with an in-depth understanding of children’s complex psycho-social, physical, emotional and cognitive needs. You will study a variety of areas, from safeguarding and learning in early childhood to inclusive practice and supporting parents, as well as enhancing a range of interpersonal and intrapersonal communication skill sets. Our ‘flexi-learn’ online course has been developed to offer you an authentic sense of community, using a blend of communication tools including web-based/email delivery and ‘real-time’ online conversations and activities. You will have face-to-face contact with module staff, personal tutors and dissertation supervisors through web conferencing software, which you will be trained how to use before your studies begin. (See more details about the teaching and assessment arrangements for this course under 'Assessment Method' below.) WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
- Flexible online learning – Want to boost your skills while maintaining full-time/part-time employment? Studying our Childhood and Education Studies degree online provides a flexible approach to learning
- Specialise your studies – Study and research specialist topics through a range of optional modules, a final dissertation project and innovative assessment regimes
- Diverse skills and knowledge – Build your understanding around childhood development, social trends and legislative frameworks alongside employability skills for your future career
- Childcare worker
- Community education officer
- Counsellor
- Education administrator
- Learning mentor (school)
- Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
- Please refer to our website www.ucb.ac.uk for the latest updates to this course
Modules
YEAR 1
- Academic Skills for Distance Learners
- Exploring Childhood Development
- Learning in Early Childhood
- Professional Management within Practice 1
- Protecting and Safeguarding Children
- Behaviour and Individual Differences in Childhood
- Language and Literacy as Communicative Devices
- Research for Enquiry in Childhood Education Studies
- Supporting Parents and Children (0-3 years)
- The Role of Creativity and Play in Childhood Education
- Professional Management within Practice 2
- Contemporary Issues in International Contexts
- Equity and Inclusive Practice in Education
- Dissertation
- 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 TEACHING You will be expected to engage with online learning and teaching materials throughout the course, with online twilight classes and support sessions you are expected to attend (including distance learning classes, assignment support and individual tutorials with an allocated personal tutor). For your final year dissertation, you will be supported through five 15-minute meetings with your supervisor via web conferencing software. All modules include:
- A mixture of pre-recorded content to access independently or ‘live’ webinar sessions where you can meet module-teaching staff
- Online video/text discussion forums where you can meet and work with other students
- Coursework – 100%
How to apply
To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
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 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.
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available
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
Level 4 – Year 1 Non-tariff: Level 3: Achieve a relevant Level 3 childcare qualification. Work experience: You will need to provide official documentation before enrolment confirming that you are working or volunteering in an appropriate school environment for a minimum of two full days per week. GCSE/IGCSE English Language: Grades A*-C/9-4 or equivalent. Tariff: Level 3: Non-related subjects at Level 3 are accepted at University College Birmingham for entry. A minimum of 72 UCAS Tariff points will be required. Work experience: You will need to provide official documentation before enrolment confirming that you are working or volunteering in an appropriate school environment for a minimum of two full days per week. GCSE/IGCSE English Language: Grades A*-C/9-4 or equivalent. Level 5 – Year 2 Academic: A relevant HNC, Certificate of Higher Education or a higher level qualification in the areas of Early Years, Childcare or Advanced Practice with Children and Families, with 120 credits. If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application. You can call us on 0121 604 1040 or email [email protected]
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £5500 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £5500 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £5500 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £5500 | Year 1 |
| EU | £5500 | Year 1 |
| International | £5500 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
UK
Tuition fee loans are available to eligible Home students. This is a loan that you can take out from Student Finance to pay for your tuition fees. It is available to all students who meet specific residency criteria, regardless of household income.
However, if you have had previous Higher Education study this may affect your eligibility. If you are eligible, you can get a loan to cover the full amount of your tuition fees and it will be paid directly to University College Birmingham after you enrol on the course.
Repayments
The maintenance loan and tuition fee loans are repayable, but you will not enter repayment until the April after you finish or leave your course, or the April four years after the start of your course – whichever comes first. Repayments will only be deducted once you are earning more than £26,575 a year and you will repay 9% of anything you earn above this amount.
How to apply
English students can apply for loans online at www.gov.uk/student-finance.
Paper application forms (PTMN form for new English students) are available to download from www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms.
If you need any help completing the application please call Katrina Evenett, Sunny Mehan or Rhianne Anderson at University College Birmingham on 0121 232 4411, 0121 232 4401 or 0121 232 4092.
For more information visit our website https://www.ucb.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/online-and-part-time-fees/
EU & International
This list is not exhaustive and for details of tuition fees for courses not listed above please contact the International Office at University College Birmingham on +44 (0) 121 2324116
The University’s policy is that tuition fee set for international students for their first year on a particular course will be maintained for all subsequent years (i.e. there are no fee increases).
For more information please visit our website https://www.ucb.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/online-and-part-time-fees/
Provider information
University College Birmingham
Summer Row
Birmingham
B3 1JB