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Early Years (with Early Years Educator) Foundation Degree at Kingston University - UCAS

Kingston University

Degree level: Undergraduate

Early Years (with Early Years Educator) Foundation Degree

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Kingston University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

Reasons to choose Kingston

  • This is the perfect opportunity to achieve Early Years Educator Status.
  • This course is recognised as a “full and relevant” qualification by the Department for Education, valued by employers.
  • You can earn while you learn. This course combines workplace learning (a minimum of 16 hours per week) with part-time study at a local partner college (1 day a week). Once you complete the course, you’ll have 240 academic credits.
  • Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.
Those who have Early Years Educator Status from their Level 3 qualification will need to apply for the Early Years Foundation degree course instead (UCAS course code X110). About this course If you’ve completed relevant Level 3 qualifications, such as A-levels, Access, T-levels, or BTECs, and would like to specialise in Early Years, this course is ideal for you. This course covers a wide range of critical and contemporary issues in the field of Early Years education from birth to five, up to eight years of age. It explores the voice of the child, international perspectives, child protection, pedagogical approaches, communication theories and multi-professional practice. You’ll be supported by your critical professional associate and tutor to reflect on your pedagogy with elements of assessed practice. Partner locations: Brooklands College (Weybridge campus) (L); Morley College (formerly known as Kensington and Chelsea College) Chelsea Campus (T) or North Kensington Campus (N); Kingston College (K); LETTA Trust (8); Reach Academy Feltham (9); Richmond upon Thames College (R); South Thames College (S); West Thames College (W); Whitefield Academy Trust (X) Future Skills Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability. As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge. At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it. Career opportunities You can top-up this qualification to a full BA (Hons) degree, through one year’s study at Kingston. There are also postgraduate and continuing professional development opportunities to further enhance your career.

Modules

Example modules -Child Development, Observation and Assessment -Early Years Pedagogy and Practice -Effective Communication Skills. For a full list of modules please visit the Kingston university course webpage.

Assessment method

Teaching includes lectures, work-based learning activities, presentations, tutorials, online learning, workshops and seminars, you will also complete a Portfolio of Assessed Practice (RPPR). In addition you will be supported by a work-based professional advocate and tutors in your respective institutions. Progress is measured by assignments, demonstration of professional competence in work-based situations, and practical demonstrations that apply the knowledge you have gained. There are no written exams.

How to apply

29Jan

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

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We will also consider the following Level 3 qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in an Early Years, Health and Social Care or related subject and/or equivalent, working with children aged 0-8 years. CACHE: Level 3 Diploma in Early Years, Playwork, Children and Young People Entry is normally at Level 4 with A-level or equivalent qualifications. Transfer from a similar course is possible at Level 5 with passes in comparable Level 4 modules, however, this is at the discretion of the course team. Employment in a setting in either paid or voluntary capacity for a minimum of 16 hours per week for the duration of the programme. It is normally expected that candidates should have recent experience in an Early Years setting prior to undertaking the Foundation Degree. However, Kingston University is committed to widening participation and encourages potential applicants who may not have ‘typical’ qualifications and/or experience to contact the Admissions Team at [email protected] for advice.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Candidates must have an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) in Child Workforce check before they can start the course.

Health checks

Candidates will need to complete a medical pro forma.

Interview

All candidates will be interviewed as part of the application process and will have to identify a Critical Professional Associate (Mentor) in the workplace who is qualified to Level 6 in a related field and who is willing to carry out workplace assessments. A mandatory training for the Critical Professional Associate will be provided by the university.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
55%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
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

England £7700 Year 1
Northern Ireland £7700 Year 1
Scotland £7700 Year 1
Wales £7700 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

For international fees, please visit: https://www.kingston.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/fees/ Please visit the provider course webpage for further information regarding additional course costs.
Early Years (with Early Years Educator) Foundation Degree at Kingston University - UCAS