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Early Years Care and Education

  • Foundation Degree
  • 2 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Mabgate
Awarded by:
Luminate Education Group
More about University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Inspire future generations on our Early Years Care and Education Foundation Degree. In West Yorkshire alone, childcare roles are among those that have seen the largest growth and employment in recent years (West Yorkshire Combined Authority, 2021). You could be among those securing employment in one of many sectors looking to employ people to work with children including the childcare, charity and voluntary, healthcare, social care, teaching and education sectors. Or you might want to consider working with children in other industries such as law, leisure, sport and tourism and public services and administration.

With a work-focused approach, you will gain vital academic skills alongside vital industry experience. Develop your understanding of safeguarding and build on your language development knowledge, whilst learning how to create an inclusive and engaging environment for all. This is the ideal degree to begin your future in childcare roles such as:

  • Early years or nursery practitioner

  • Nursery Lead

  • Nursery Manager

  • Childcare or early years assistant

  • Classroom or learning support assistant

Become a teacher in three years with our Foundation and Top-Up degree route. After this foundation degree, you may go on to study our Top-Up degree to gain a full BA (Hons) degree (with QTS).

Assessment method

Assessment methods have been designed in consultation with employers, to reflect the activities you would be expected to do in the workplace and the skills that employers are looking for. Assessment methods may include:

  • Observation and planning for children and young people’s learning

  • Case studies

  • Presentations

  • Group discussions

  • Evaluations

  • Peer reviews

  • Work related small scale project

  • Reflective journal

  • Professional development plan

  • Induction booklet

  • Micro-teach

  • Teaching interventions

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Mabgate

Study options

  • Foundation Degree • Full-Time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • 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:
L524
Institution code:
L21
Campus name:
Mabgate
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College 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:
L524
Institution code:
L21
Campus name:
Mabgate

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 48

48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications).

GCSE English (Essential): English Language Grade 4 or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs..

GCSE Maths (Desirable but not essential): Maths Grade 4 or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.

GCSE (Desirable but not essential): GCSE Science at Grade 4 or equivalent.

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.

International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.

Placements: Employment and placements working within the childcare and early years sector is desired but not essential.

DBS checks: Students will also be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service process (DBS) prior to commencement on placement.

References: An appropriate reference required.

Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.*21 years and over at the start of the course.

RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Additional entry requirements

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
Prior to commencement of any work experience, students will be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service process (DBS). For students already employed in the sector this will be undertaken by your employer. For those applying for voluntary positions, this will be applied through and paid for by University Centre, Leeds.

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, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9000*
EU & International£14000*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

Fees are charged per academic year

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 1

£4000 scholarship available for international students

Related courses

At University Centre Leeds, Leeds City College

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