How will I be taught?

A range of teaching techniques are used in this degree to deliver content in useful and varied ways. This includes lecture-based presentations, practical sessions including role play and observation, individual and group project work, and individual presentations.

What modules are covered?

Year 1

• The Physical, Personal, Social and Emotional Child - This module provides the essential theoretical background to the physical, personal, spiritual, social and emotional development of children. It develops an understanding of why these are prime areas within the Early Years Foundation Stage and how they relate to each other.
• Cognition and Language - This places particular emphasis on how children learn and their cognitive and language development.
• The Child, Family and Parental Involvement – This explores the concept of the child, working with families and strategies related to parental involvement. It considers the diverse nature of families and issues related to promoting involvement.
• Health and Wellbeing - This explores the concepts of health and wellbeing and considers key government health priorities in relation to child health.  It also examines legislation and policies related to health and safety.
• Promoting Creative Learning - This explores the concept of creative expression and children’s representation through play and creative materials. It examines the role of the practitioner in providing a well-resourced environment that promotes creative expression.
• Value of Play – This examines the relevance of play to early year’s education and its value in the Foundation Stage and beyond.
• Integrated Working and Safeguarding - This explores multi-agency working in regards to safeguarding children and promoting positive outcomes.  It requires students to reflect on policies and strategies.

Year 2

• The Reflective Practitioner - This module promotes the use of reflective practice within early years provision.
• Introduction to Research - A suitable topic for research related to Early Years practice will be identified and researched to develop a project proposal and extended literature review.
• Policy, Perspectives and Influences on Early Years – This explores the factors that influence the current provision of early years.
• Early Literacy and Communication – This explores the role of the practitioner in developing emergent literacy skills within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and in preparing children for transition to Key Stage 1.
• Early Maths and Exploration - This explores the role of the practitioner in developing the skills needed for emergent maths and exploration and in preparing children for transition to Key Stage 1.
• Leading and Managing – This explores the concepts of leadership and management within Early Years settings and the differences between them.
• Understanding Young Children’s Behaviour - This explores how to manage an early years environment in order to promote positive behaviour. You will explore the determinants of behaviour in early years settings and reflect upon theoretical perspectives and factors which may influence children’s prosocial and antisocial behaviour.

How will I be assessed?

You will normally be assessed throughout your course to test your understanding within each module. This will be done through a combination of assessed coursework and assignments, multiple choice questions, formal examinations, written reports, case studies, summative reflection, literature reviews and presentations. Assignments will demonstrate both your new knowledge and how to apply it in the workplace.

Programme Structure

The structure of our programmes follows educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the Programme Specification documents found under our Quality Assurance page, including further details such as the learning outcomes.

What Next?

Upon completion of this degree, you will have the option to convert your qualification to a full degree by completing a one-year top-up degree - such as our BA (Hons) Early Years, Education and Practice Top-up.

There are a wide number of careers where your new degree will be relevant. Some of the examples below may require extra training and experience first. Please speak to our careers advisers to discover which career routes are best for you.

Jobs directly related to early years degrees include:

• Early years teacher
• Education consultant
• Family support worker
• Health play specialist
• Learning mentor
• Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
• Social worker
• Teaching assistant
• Youth worker

Jobs where a degree in early years might be useful include:

• Child psychotherapist
• Children’s nurse
• Community development worker
• Counsellor
• Educational psychology
• Speech and language therapist

Transferable Skills

• Independent learning
• Written and oral communication
• Team working
• Research and analytical skills
• Organisational and time management skills
• Problem solving
• IT Skills

What is the entry process?

You can apply for this higher education course in the following ways:

• Via the UCAS website. Visit www.ucas.com and browse the courses available under 'University Centre Farnborough'. 
• Directly to University Centre Farnborough via the button on this webpage. Applications take around 15 minutes and are free of charge. You can apply to us direct at any time in the year (including after the UCAS deadline). Applications of this type are separate to the UCAS system, which means you could also apply for more than the five universities that UCAS allows.

UCAS Code - X311

Institution Code - F66

What previous qualifications and experience will I need?

• 48 UCAS points from relevant subject(s)
• At least 18 months experience and current employment in the Early Years sector of at least 12 hours per week

If English is not your first language, evidence of your ability will need to be supplied with your applications. IELTS 6.5 is required.