Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) (Top Up)

This course is for students who have completed FdA Early Childhood Studies at University Centre at Blackburn College who wish to continue their studies at higher level and leave with a BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies qualification. You will study five modules in order to complete your course. You'll be required to complete four compulsory modules and will be able to choose the additional fifth module from a choice of three. This programme offers you the opportunity to explore in depth some of the most challenging and fundamental issues concerning young children and their families in the twenty-first century.

Following on from knowledge gained from the FdA Early Childhood Studies degree, you will be expected to work collaboratively and independently in order to succeed at this higher level of study.

Previous modules studied on the FdA Early Childhood Studies Degree will provide you with the underpinning knowledge and experience required to promote development and further exploration of this exciting area of study.

There are opportunities for national and international travel as part of the course. Past visits have included: Prague, Berlin and Budapest. During the trip you'll be able to explore the culture and practices within the Early Childhood sector in the country you're visiting.

You will study five modules in order to complete your course. 

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 6 Modules (there are 4 mandatory modules and 1 optional module out of a choice of 3 as indicated by *) include:

• Communication and Relationships
• Pedagogy and Policy
• Developing Professionalism
• Dissertation
• Creativity in Early Childhood*
• Global and International Perspectives*
• Leading and Managing Quality Organisations*

In order to join the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top Up) programme you will need to have successfully completed the FdA Early Childhood Studies Degree with at least a pass mark. Additional preparation for study at the Top Up programme may be required.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

Once or twice within each module you will complete assessments, often at the end of the module (summative assessment). Examples of assessments are: Essays, Seminars, Portfolios, Dissertations, Reports, Individual presentation, Projects and mini-dissertations, Recap, Peer Assessment, Group assessment, Web Based Concept Maps, Professional Discussions, Case study assessments, Policy critiques, Collaborative tasks and Proposals.

Feedback for assessments is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission. The summative assessment/s at the end of a module will count towards your degree mark.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal (formative) feedback, for example, before the submission of a written piece students may choose to work through peer and/or tutor review in order to gain feedback on an ongoing basis. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

Students also engage in Journal Club where papers are discussed in a critical manner.

You should typically expect to have around 15 contact hours per week if you are studying full time.

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

You should typically expect to have around 15 contact hours per week if you are studying full time.

In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.  

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.  The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.  You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Timetables

We endeavour to make timetables available one month before you start your course.  Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week.  Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week. 

Overall Workload

You overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 15 hours of independent learning and assessment activity and any field trips which may take place.

Academic Support

We have a dedicated Student Engagement Team who will be able to provide support in the following areas;

• Study Skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English
• Academic Writing (including referencing)
• Research Skills

The vast majority of our graduates go on to work in the early years and education sectors. A PGCE is a popular route taken by graduates from the programme who wish to pursue a career in teaching. 

Recent graduates have gained employment in various full-time positions often with more responsibility. Career routes for graduates from the programme have been diverse; such as an outreach support worker, managerial and deputy managerial positions and an after-school provision coordinator specialising in developing outdoor play spaces. 

Students who successfully complete and gain a good degree in BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies will be able to progress onto postgraduate routes such as:

• Early Years Initial Teaching (ITT)
• Early Years Teaching Status (EYTS)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Early Years with EYTS (0-5 years)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Early Years and Primary Education (3-7 years)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Education FE/HE
• Masters in Social Work, Psychology, leadership and management or other relevant discipline

Postgraduate routes are subject to individual awards, applications and institutions.

Going to University is not as expensive as you think. There are no upfront fees to pay if you take out a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England. Don't forget to apply as early as possible to secure your fees before you start your course.