BA (Hons) Early Years Care and Education

You will need 64 UCAS Tariff Points or above from one or more of the following:

• Access to Higher Education Diploma (minimum 30 credits at Merit or above)
• A levels
• T levels
• Extended Diploma
• Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as an International Baccalaureate Diploma
• GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade 4 or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as Functional Skills

For any qualification not identified above, the HE Admission Team will determine equivalences through UK ENIC.

Applicants wishing to be considered for entry to the second year of study or wishing to import credits or evidence of prior learning into the course for which they are applying, will be considered in accordance with the awarding bodies policy on Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (APEL).

Applications from mature students who do not possess the entry requirements as listed above but who possess related professional experience or professional qualifications are welcome to apply. You will need to demonstrate by interview, an exceptional entry portfolio (this is likely to include evidence of paid or unpaid work experience) and/or written assessment that you are suitable for the programme.

In the first instance we suggest you contact HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk to discuss your application.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service):

An enhanced DBS check is required before you begin your placement and is included within the course fees. The check will be completed and verified by trained staff as part of the admissions process. Applicants who have lived overseas will be required to provide a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct from their country or countries of residence before starting the course. Further information about the DBS process will be provided by the University.

Contact hours: 13 hours per week plus independent study (suggested 30 hours per week).

Work placements:

You will need to be in a placement for one day a week in term-time only (minimum six hours per day across the three years). In year one you will learn to identify theory in practice and in year two the modules are designed to apply the theory into practice by the planning and delivery of lessons and activities. Placement in year three will focus on the dissertation module and professional practice.

There is a dedicated Practice Learning team to support students with finding and completing placements.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops which enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of independent learning. 

A range of appropriate facilities are available, including the library and online learning resources, the Learning Resource Centre and the Forum that supports your independent learning.

You will receive:

• Ongoing feedback as part of your one-to-one sessions with your unit teachers,
• Summative feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework. 

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your unit leader. Feedback can be given in varied ways to accommodate different learning styles and aptitudes including group critiques, recorded verbal feedback and written feedback. 

Feedback on the Final Major Project/Dissertation module in year three is provided throughout and through supervision meetings as scheduled.

The cost of this course is £9,790. 

The course is eligible for funding through Student Loans England, subject to status.

The following are included in the fees:

• Level 2 safeguarding training
• Paediatric First Aid
• Library resources - books and journals
• An allocation of pages for printing

The great majority of the students on this course progress on to teacher training via the following routes:

• Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary PGCE)
• Graduate Teacher Training programme (GTP)
• School-based Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

Graduate destinations:

You can progress to an outstanding range of jobs including:

• Working in the early years sector in a variety of settings.
• Nursery management
• Children's centres
• Portage services within social services
• Police family liaison worker
• FE college tutor

Some graduates also decide to work for a year as a Teaching Assistant before progressing onto teacher training, whilst others remain in education to study at Masters level.

Students who successfully complete the BA (Hons) Early Years Care and Education degree, are typically very successful at finding employment in professional roles within the early years and wider education sectors. For example, students completing placements in a school environment may find themselves subsequently employed by their placement setting in a variety of roles which utilise their knowledge and experience together with their transferable skills.

In addition, students have been offered opportunities to complete their Teacher Training with their placement. Students also utilise their knowledge and experience in supporting roles which accommodate their transferable skills for example as Family Support Workers and Learning Support Assistants (LSA).

3 years

Full Time