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Email:courseenquiries@bcu.ac.uk
Phone:0121 331 6295
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Early Years
- FdA
- 2 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2026
- Undergraduate
- South and City College Birmingham
Course summary
Are you passionate about working with young children in public, private, voluntary and independent childcare, early years or education settings? Perhaps you already work within the early years sector and would like to upskill or considering advanced practice.
The Foundation degree in Early Years aims to develop the skills and knowledge for you to develop your professional practice and support your career aspirations. The foundation degree is a recognised qualification in the sector and can also be a stepping stone to higher level and degree studies. Many students join an honours degree at level 6 (final year) on completion of the foundation degree.
The course is carefully designed to offer appropriate skills and knowledge relating to professional practice, and the application of work-based experience. It also focuses on your self-development and independent learning, as well as team work and your ability to manage others.
Skills and knowledge acquired from your modules combine to give you a thorough appreciation of a child’s social and emotional development, covering issues of language, literacy and numeracy, knowledge and understanding of the world, and physical and creative development.
Applying your knowledge in real Early Years settings is a vital part of your learning, and you need to complete 720 hours of work placement during the course. As a working, part-time student, you normally achieve this through your professional commitments; if you study full-time, you get all the support you need to find a suitable work placement.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- South and City College Birmingham
Study options
- FdA • Full-time • 2 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- X311
- Institution code:
- B25
- Campus name:
- South and City College Birmingham
- Campus Code:
- X
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Birmingham City University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- X311
- Institution code:
- B25
- Campus name:
- South and City College Birmingham
- Campus Code:
- X
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 48 points
A level - DD
48 UCAS tariff points from three A Levels. Grades DD (or equivalent).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
48 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3. Accepted subjects: Education subjects preferred but other subjects also considered.
Scottish Higher
48 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
48 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
48 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
Scottish Advanced Higher
48 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Minimum of 48 UCAS tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
GCSE/National 4/National 5
This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.
T Level - Pass (D or E)
Pass overall (E or above on the core). Accepted subjects: Education.
Welsh Baccalaureate: 48 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 48 UCAS tariff points.
NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 48 UCAS tariff points. Accepted subjects: Childcare and Education; Children's Care, Learning and Development; Children and Young People's Workforce; Health and Social Care; Early Years Education and Care.
WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 48 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s).
Successful candidates will be required to obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check via the Faculty prior to enrolling on this course.
Places will be offered on the programme after applicants have attended an introductory workshop and successfully completed a full disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | overall with no less than 5.5 in each band. |
If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £7995 | Year 1 |
| International | £7995 | Year 1 |
| England | £7995 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £7995 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £7995 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £7995 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
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