Early Childhood Studies (Cert HE) (subject to validation)

The Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) in Early Childhood Studies is a new type of qualification available for students wishing to start a Higher Education qualification in September 2022. The course is validated by Lancaster University. 

You will be able to complete this qualification in just one year of full-time study which makes it ideal if you are looking to start a new career sooner. If, at the end of the your year of full-time study, you wish to continue your Higher Education journey with us, you will be able to join the second year of our Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies. This will enable you to achieve a Foundation Degree in two years of full-time study.

This is a new flexible type of qualification for students who may not be able to commit to three years of full-time academic study.

This course should appeal to you if you need to fit studying around other commitments or if you are looking to take your first step into Higher Education after a gap of study.

The programme is for anyone with an interest in children’s early years development, and those wanting a career working with children aged roughly between the ages of 0-8.

The degree prepares you for employment in the expanding early years sector and equips you with a range of transferable skills.

The modules you will study will examine the theories and principles relating to professional practice within the Early Childhood Studies and Education Sector. Personal Development Planning is also integral to the programme and you will work on developing a portfolio of evidence within the Reflective Journey modules at this level in order to reflect upon the links between theory and practice.

Level 4 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

• Reflective Journey 
• Preparation for Research
• Early Childhood Development
• Play and Creativity
• Working with Families and Professionals
• Health and Wellbeing

You’ll need 48 UCAS points to join this programme (formerly 120 UCAS points).

All applicants must show that they have a good level of spoken or written English, and if English is not your first language you’ll need to demonstrate the ability to study in English. Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria but have relevant work / life experience will be considered on an individual basis and may be invited to interview.

In addition, for this programme, you'll need a clear current DBS certificate. This has an additional cost of around £50 which must be paid by you upon enrolment.

This qualification is a higher education qualification in its own right and it may be appropriate that some students take this 1+1+1 route to achieving their honours. Even if an application to a foundation degree is made you may advise that this route is better for the potential student and make the offer of the Cert HE.

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.

Throughout the course you will be assessed in various ways. Examples of assessment activity includes: Essays, Seminars, Examinations, Portfolios, Reports, Group presentations, Individual presentation, Projects and mini-dissertations, Recap, Peer assessment, Group assessment, Web Based Concept Maps and Professional Discussions.

Each module is formally assessed through, for example, examination, open-book test, individual and group presentation, essay, observation of practice, assessment of course work e.g. art portfolio, written report, reflective practice and portfolios of evidence.  This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions. 

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

The Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) Early Childhood Studies is a valuable qualification in its own right preparing the students for employment within a range of roles.

For those wishing to continue with their studies, entry onto the Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, which is delivered for one further academic year, full-time, is permitted.

You will be prepared for a career in the early years sector, social services, education, health authorities, voluntary sector, private sector, further specialist study and postgraduate studies. The programme is designed to enhance employability and future work opportunities in a range of areas through the transferrable skills that you have also built up during your studies.

For those wishing to continue with their studies at University Centre at Blackburn College, you must have successfully completed the Certificate of Higher Education Early Childhood Studies to gain entry onto Year 2 of Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, which is delivered for one academic year, full-time.

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.