Early Childhood Studies, BA

Course content

This top-up degree will build on the learning outcomes of the Foundation Degree Child and Family Studies and your professional experience. The core modules will cover leadership and management, contemporary issues and debates, advanced work-based learning and research methods. In your final year you'll focus on your dissertation.

You'll examine theoretical approaches to leadership and management in the public sector, and develop your ability to reflect on, and analyse, what's happening around you, both in the workplace and in your personal life. You'll also consider, from an in-depth theoretical perspective, areas of contemporary policy, such as restorative practice, leading you to better understand current demands on the workforce. In preparation for your final year research, you'll deepen your understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods in social science.

In your final year, you'll undertake a piece of independent research, supported by a tutor who has knowledge and understanding of the practice, theory and research relating to the topic you have chosen. You'll learn how to conduct research to sound ethical standards, choose and apply appropriate methodologies and write up your findings in a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Entry requirements, fees and applying

  Entry requirements

  GCSE: English and Maths grade C/4 or equivalent

  
  

  A Foundation Degree, Diploma in Higher Education or equivalent qualification in Child and Family Studies or a similar discipline.

  OR

  A qualification at NVQ Level 4 with at least two years experience in a senior post working with children, young people or families evidenced through a portfolio of work, an extended piece of writing (to be set after interview).

  AND

  Applicants must also be engaged in relevant work (paid or voluntary) with a minimum 4 hours contact each week.

  If you are a mature student or want to study part-time the Lifelong Learning Centre offers a free, confidential and impartial pre-entry guidance service. Our experienced staff can also talk to you about how you might meet the entry criteria and what support may be available to you.

  How to apply

  Apply to this course through the Lifelong Learning Centre.

  We will treat all applications individually. We'll take into account an applicant's life experience and the circumstances in which they have gained prior qualifications and we encourage you to cover these things in your personal statement. We will interview shortlisted candidates.

  Admissions policy

  Lifelong Learning Centre Undergraduate Admissions Policy

  Fees

  UK/EU: See fees section below

  For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2018, the fee for 2018/19 will be £9,250. 

  The fee for undergraduate students starting in 2019 will be confirmed in September 2018.

  The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government's forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

  The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students in 2018-19 will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

  Part-time fees are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

  You will study at 67% intensity (80 credits) in year 1. Fees for 2018/19 are £6,167 (67% of £9,250). In year 2 you will study at 33% intensity (40 credits) and the fee will be calculated at 33% of the full-time fee agreed for that year.

  There are no upfront fees to pay. All eligible students are able to borrow the entire cost of tuition fees making study free at the point of entry, with good repayment terms. You are eligible if you are studying for 30+ credits per year on a programme which is at a higher level than any qualification already held. Previous study in Higher Education may affect your eligibility.

  Additional cost information

  There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

  Financial support

  If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

  Depending on your circumstances, non-repayable financial support is available from the Leeds Financial Support scheme.

• Career opportunities

  A qualification from the University of Leeds counts: our graduates are highly valued by employers. When you complete your degree programme you will also become part of a network of highly employable graduates.

  A University of Leeds degree will make you very attractive to employers and enhance your career prospects. Successful students tend to stay within their organisations but are more likely to progress to managerial positions. Former students have also taken roles in quality assurance, child-minding support and at OFSTED. Others have progressed to postgraduate qualifications that have led to careers in teaching or social work.

  Careers support

  Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website. The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. The University and the Lifelong Learning Centre provide a range of activities to support LLC students:

  Read more at Careers support for LLC students and on the University's Careers website.

• Related courses

  Child and Family Studies BA (Part time)
  Child and Family Studies FD (Part time)