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Early Childhood Education

  • Foundation Degree in Arts
  • 2 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 28 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
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More about Lincoln Bishop University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

The Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education at Lincoln Bishop University offers a flexible, blended approach that fits around your work or volunteering commitments. You will take part in live online classes twice a week, supported by five in-person teaching days each academic year. This structure allows you to balance your studies with your professional life, making it possible to continue gaining valuable experience while you learn.

Over two years, you will build on your existing experience of working with young children and apply this directly to your studies. In your first year, you will be introduced to university-level study, explore how children learn, and consider how your practice supports their needs. You will reflect on your role within the early years sector, supporting your professional growth, while studying key topics such as child development and social interactions to strengthen your practical knowledge.

In your second year, you will focus on inclusion, equality and diversity, and learn how to support the development and learning of young children. You will also explore different approaches to teaching and develop your ability to reflect on your own practice.

Throughout the programme, you will have opportunities to collaborate with students from related courses, such as those in schools or youth work. This cross-disciplinary experience will broaden your understanding of working with learners of different ages and in varied settings, helping to strengthen your future career prospects.

The Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education meets the full and relevant criteria set by the Department for Education and the Graduate Competency requirements of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network. After completing the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education (with Graduate Practitioner), you will have the opportunity to gain a recognised professional accreditation within the early years sector.

Alternatively, you may choose to progress onto the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education without the Graduate Practitioner option, which also meets the Department for Education’s criteria. There are further pathways into teaching, including the option to complete a top-up course in Primary Teaching Studies with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), opening up a range of rewarding career opportunities.

Modules

https://www.lincolnbishop.ac.uk/courses/fda-early-childhood-education-in-practice

Assessment method

Typically, a variety of assessment methods are used including presentations, discussions, debates, poster presentations, essays, portfolios of work, case studies and reflections. All assessments allow you to reflect on your practice and theory as you evidence your learning, building on your personal strengths to develop clear communication skills to share your knowledge and understanding.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Foundation Degree in Arts • Full-Time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
LX40
Institution code:
B38
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Lincoln Bishop 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
13 January 2027

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:
LX40
Institution code:
B38
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

• Typically, a minimum of one year’s experience in practice with a minimum of two days a week (minimum of 12 hours per week accumulating to 360 hours per year of study in a relevant role, either as an employee or a volunteer).
• In exceptional cases, it might be appropriate to recruit students directly from a Level 3 apprenticeship or other courses in which it can be demonstrated that there is a significant element of professional practice.
• Typically, a Level 3 Diploma, NVQs, access to HE programmes, subject/vocational qualifications, however, the course welcomes applicants with non-traditional Level 3 qualifications.
• We encourage applications from mature students and recognise that their experience or qualifications may differ from those mentioned previously. This is supported by the QAA Characteristics of Foundation Degrees (QAA, 2024, p.7), that states Universities should have “flexible admissions requirements, including the establishment of effective procedures to assist applicants from diverse backgrounds who may be able to demonstrate their suitability for entry onto a foundation degree in a variety of ways.
• Students are required to complete and submit a signed Workplace Agreement, endorsed by the head teacher or workplace manager of the setting where they are employed or volunteer. The Workplace Agreement formalises the tripartite partnership between the student, the setting, and the University, and confirms that the student holds a current and valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
• Submission of a completed Workplace Agreement is a strict condition of enrolment and until the Workplace Agreement has been received by the University Placement Office, the student is provisionally enrolled.
• Instructions on the return of the Workplace Agreement is provided during the enrolment and induction process. Students who fail to meet this requirement within the specified timeframe may be subject to an enforced break in learning, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

In line with the priority which it gives to promoting opportunities for lifelong learning and widening access to Higher Education, the University welcomes applications from prospective students who are seeking to gain exemption from some parts of an academic programme by gaining Recognition of Prior Learning. Such claims may be based either on a previous course of study or on experience gained in paid employment or voluntary activities. In addition, bridging assignments are available to enable students seeking direct entry into Level 5 to meet programme specific Level 4 module outcomes if previous study does not align with the corresponding the University’s FdA learning outcomes.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland£7343
International£10790

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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