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Early Childhood Education and Care Foundation Degree

  • FdA
  • 2 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Taunton Campus
Awarded by:
The Open University
More about University Centre Somerset

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Whether experienced in the early years sector or not, if you are committed to making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families, this Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care is the perfect underpinning for your career. The programme has been developed to link closely with placement/work experiences and extensive research has been conducted to inform the design and delivery of the programme.

Progression Opportunities
This Foundation Degree will open up a variety of career paths and can lead to employment in family support and projects working in a range of early years settings including children’s centre worker, home/school liaison officer, early years practitioner or a role within a primary school. A top-up year is available for students who complete the Foundation Degree to achieve a Level 6 BA (Hons) Degree.

This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers.

Learn more about Higher Technical Qualifications

Modules

Modules may include:
• The Child in Society
• Child Health and Wellbeing
• Working with Children and Families
• Language & Literacy Development
• The Reflective Practitioner
• Introduction to Leadership and Management.

Assessment method

There are no exams on this programme, each module is assessed by means of assignments which may include reflective essays, the development of learning resources and presentations. Teaching sessions take the form of short lectures, supervised discussions, small group work and guest speakers. Personal tutor and academic support is provided and facilitates individual and whole group progression.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS
This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Taunton Campus

Study options

  • FdA • Full-time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • 14/09/2026

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:
86G4
Institution code:
B70
Campus name:
Taunton Campus
Campus Code:
T
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University Centre Somerset 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:
86G4
Institution code:
B70
Campus name:
Taunton Campus
Campus Code:
T

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We are currently not issuing CAS for International student visas.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 64 points

from a Full Level 3 qualification in a related subject area

students are also required to have four GCSEs to include English and Maths Grades 4 and above, or a recognised equivalent.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Interview

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

UCS is committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants, and seeks to recognise an individual’s potential to succeed. To do this, we consider qualifications and experience in the context of each applicant’s background. We make offers based on evidence that suggests a student’s suitability to excel on their chosen course. As such, where appropriate, we will consider making a contextual offer to study that recognises life experience and potential as well previous academic achievement.

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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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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