Applied Early Years Studies (Top up)

If you currently work in the early-years sector and have a relevant Foundation degree or equivalent in this field, this top-up course will bring you up to a full Honours degree in just one year. It also allows you to put your learning into practice immediately, in your workplace. The course builds on the knowledge and skills you have already have while developing your understanding of child development and early years education from a variety of professional perspectives. This blended-learning pathway enables you to study online, attending six Saturday study days per academic year at our Bedford campus. Blended-learning groups also have their own student society.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Mock classrooms with specialist technology including a resourced early-years classroom leading to our Forest School and garden space

• Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of the long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning

• Specialist sensory centre for teaching SEND and early-years courses

• Multimedia space for webinars and podcasting

• Access to four-storey library, open outside of taught sessions

• Wide range of sports facilities including playing fields, multi-use games areas and a sports arena.

• Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning.

Career-powered links

Well-established partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated organisations across the eastern region, including lead training partnership agreements for closer collaborations. This network puts us at the forefront of educational developments. We are able to offer placements in over 40 early-years settings.

Our 12 lead training partners have regular, on-going involvement with our students including contributing to placement, course delivery, and on-campus visits, talks and masterclasses.

Your student experience

Learn with tutors who have a wealth of experience in building student competence and confidence.

Attend weekly sessions online that are enhanced and supported by the independent tasks your unit tutors allocate to you.

The weekly sessions are extended during your Saturday study days, of which there are six across the academic year; these offer a unique mix of group work, tutor-led sessions and cross-course collaboration.

Benefit from a strong focus on employability, developing your skills in education theory and curriculum content while putting them into practice in your workplace.

You will build skills to help you communicate effectively with learners, parents/carers, colleagues and other professionals.

After graduation, you can progress within your own education setting or apply for an Initial Teacher Training course.

Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well.

You benefit from the support of your own personal tutor, a unit and course coordinator, and the additional support of our experienced library staff, all of whom will help you throughout your student journey and with balancing study with work and personal commitments.

Course modules

Early learning from birth to 5 – Study learning and development in this age group in theory and practice, with a focus on the role adults play. 
Research methods in applied education – Prepare for your research project, exploring research methods, data collection and data analysis. 
Professional practice: work-based learning context – Explore a broad range of key ethical issues in education and relate them to your own professional practice.
Research project in work-based learning – Conduct an in-depth study in a chosen area of education, drawing on relevant research, previous learning and your own work experience.

Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.