The BA (Hons) Top-Up Early Childhood Education in Practice (Graduate Practitioner Pathway) at Morley College London is designed for experienced early years and education practitioners who wish to progress from a Foundation Degree or equivalent qualification to a full BA (Hons). The programme combines academic study with professional practice, enabling students to deepen their understanding of early childhood education while continuing to work or volunteer in the sector.
The course places real‑world practice at its heart. Learning is closely linked to your work or placement in an early years setting and is supported by Morley’s specialist early years teaching spaces, including a real‑life working early years classroom and sector‑standard resources.
Why study this course at Morley?
• Evening study, term time only – designed to fit around work and family commitments
• Strong emphasis on practice linked directly to employment or placement
• Access to a fully equipped early years classroom and specialist learning resources
• Taught by experienced lecturers with professional early years expertise
• Supportive learning environment for 19 + adult and returning students
• Placement support for applicants not currently working in the sector
Course structure
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Duration: 1 year (full time top up)
• Attendance: One evening per week, term time only
• Location: Morley College London (North Kensington Centre for Skills)
• Validated by: Lincoln Bishop University
Alongside weekly taught sessions, students are required to engage in substantial practice based learning in an early years setting.
To support the integration of theory and practice, students are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of paid or voluntary work per week in an appropriate early years setting.
• Applicants already working in the sector can normally use their current role
• Applicants not currently employed in early years will be supported to secure a suitable placement
• Practice experience is central to teaching, assessment and the final research project
What you will study:
At Level 6, the course focuses on critical, independent and research informed learning. Key themes include:
Independent Study Part 1: Introduction to Research at Level 6
Critical Issues in Professional Practice
Leadership in Professional Contexts
Pedagogy and Practice in Early Childhood Education
End of Programme Graduate Practitioner Competencies
There will also be a Non‑Accredited Module ‘Graduate Practitioner Competency Portfolio’ - a practice‑based, non‑credited‑bearing module supporting students in evidencing their Graduate Practitioner status through an e‑portfolio of professional achievements and mapped competencies.
Teaching, learning and assessment:
Teaching takes place through:
• Interactive lectures and seminars
• Group discussion and collaborative learning
• Practice based tasks and reflective activities
• Guided independent study and research supervision
Assessment typically includes:
• Academic and reflective written assignments
• Presentations
• Practice based analysis
• A substantial independent project or dissertation
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have:
• A relevant Foundation Degree (FdA) in Early Childhood / Early Years / Education in Practice or equivalent
• A minimum of 12 hours per week in a suitable early year setting (paid or voluntary)
• Commitment to reflective, practice based learning
Applicants without current sector experience will be supported to access an appropriate placement.
Graduates go on to:
• Senior or leadership roles in early years and childcare settings
• Further professional qualifications and postgraduate study
• Wider roles within the children’s workforce
This course provides a strong academic and professional foundation for long term career progression.
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice (Top up)
Level 6 – 120 credits
PRP601P_1.1 – Independent Study Part 1: Introduction to Research at Level 6 (15 credits, Period 1)
PRP602P_1.1 – Critical Issues in Professional Practice (15 credits, Period 1)
PRP605P_1.0 – Leadership in Professional Contexts (30 credits, Period 1)
PRP607P_1.0 – Pedagogy and Practice in Early Childhood Education (30 credits, Period 2)
PRP604P_1.1 – Independent Study Part 2 (30 credits, Period 2)
Video essays
Essays
Reports
Presentations
Group work
Eportfolios
Seminars
Critical reflection
Ongoing assessment
Performances / practical examinations
Practical Portfolios
Installations/interactive sound works
Vlogs/Blogs
Creating websites
Podcast
Book review
This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Morley College London 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?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Entry Requirements
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education in Practice (Top up)
BA (Hons) Education in Practice (Top up)
Applicants must normally meet the following criteria:
• Completion of a relevant Level 5 qualification, such as:
• A Foundation Degree (FdA) in a related subject (e.g. Education in Practice, Early Childhood Education in Practice), or
• A Higher Education Diploma or equivalent qualification at Level 5
Applications from other awarding institutions are accepted where equivalency can be demonstrated
Current employment or voluntary placement in an appropriate setting for a minimum of two days per week (normally 12 hours):
• Early years settings for Early Childhood Education in Practice
• Schools or other education settings for Education in Practice
This work based requirement is integral to the programme design
• Ability to study at honours (Level 6) standard, evidenced through prior academic performance and/or professional experience
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.
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.
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
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.
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Email:Morley.Admissions@morleycollege.ac.uk
Email:Morley.Admissions@morleycollege.ac.uk
Phone:(+44) 020 7450 1889
61 Westminster Bridge Road
South Bank
London
SE1 7HT
At Morley College London
