Course description
Are you interested in working with young children in a Nursery or Early Years setting? Then our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree at Birmingham Newman University is registered with the DfE as having ‘full and relevant status’, which is particularly advantageous to graduates employed in early years settings, in counting towards the staff : child ratios.
Early childhood, the quality of education, provision and care, and the roles and responsibilities of all those involved with young children, parents and families, all have a significant influence on children’s achievement and life chances. The last decade has seen the wider development of early years provision, changes and challenges in aspects of education and care, and the recognition that early childhood and children’s experiences must be supported by a highly qualified workforce. Government legislation, policy and research have raised the profile of early childhood, education and care and established the requirement for recognised professional qualifications for all those working in the field of early years in public, voluntary and private sectors.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
You should aim to achieve96 UCAS points or above, including a minimum of CC at A level or equivalent (e.g.MM at BTEC Diploma or MPP at BTEC Extended Diploma), in achieving the 96 point tariff total.
Alternatively, Access Students can achieve the requirements with the following combination of Distinction, Merit and/ or Pass grades at level 3 achieved from a completed Access course. 96 UCAS Points: D21-M3-P21; D18-M9-P18; D15-M15-P15; D12-M21-P12; D9-M27-P9; D6-M33-P6; D3-M39-P3; D0-M45-P0.
The University accepts appropriate T Levels as part of its usual entry requirements; 96 UCAS Points:P(C+)
DBS Clearance
Although not an entry requirement for the course, it is essential that applicants will need to obtain Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) later on within the course for their work experience placement. Students will be advised about this process during their studies. For more information on your DBS application please clickhere.
For applicants who are unsure that they will achieve the above UCAS tariff, Newman University offersEarly Childhood Studies (with Foundation Year)which enables such applicants to access a university degree via a four year route. Upon successful completion of their foundation year, students will progress to Year 1 of a named degree. Whilst not a condition of entry onto the Foundation Year, students wishing to follow particular named routes with additional entry requirements, will need to meet these requirements before they make the transition from their foundation year to year 1.
Applying Direct Option
You can apply direct to Newman University for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.
International Students
The University is not licensed by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present.
Training Course Content
Modules
Year 1
- Interdependent Learner
- Child Development
- Constructs of Childhood
- Play Matters
- Children & Their Families
- Early Childhood Context
Year 2
- Professional Practice
- Safeguarding Children & Family
- Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Rights
- Supporting the Unique Child
- Research Methods
Year 3
- Research Project
- Exploring the Holistic World of the Under 5s
- Critical Reflections
- Pedagogy & Practice
- Working Collaboratively with Families
Course delivery details
The programme is designed for students interested in working with young children aged 0-8 years. It offers a course that provides breadth and depth in key aspects relating to childhood, child development, education and care but also integrates a wider thematic approach which includes families, communities, multi-agency working, social policy, inclusion and diversity, research and health. It will develop your knowledge, skills, understanding of these, and your generic transferable skills through course content, learning and teaching strategies, assessment, research, and experiences of early years settings and organisations.
The first year of the programme introduces aspects of child development, social policy, equality, rights and diversity, constructs of childhood, play and the early years curriculum. During the second year there is a work based placement which enables you to gain valuable experience working in an early years setting with children 0-5. The placement experience has proved significant for students’ future career choices. There are also opportunities for international placements.
The course has optional modules at Intermediate and Honours level that enables students to undertake a particular theme, for example, Discourses of Education, Inclusive Practice, Enabling Early Learning, and Health and Social Policy. In the final year of studies you will carry out a small scale research study for your dissertation.
Expenses
The full-time course fee for September 2024 is £9,250.
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
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Birmingham Newman University
Founded in 1968, Birmingham Newman University is a community-focused institution based in Bartley Green, Birmingham. It has built strong partnerships with many local businesses, charities and schools, making it an ideal choice for students wishing to gain practical experience during...