Skip navigation
You are viewing our beta course page.

Early Childhood Education and Care (Top-up)

  • BA (Hons)
  • 1 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

If you are committed to making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families or you are looking to advance your current Foundation Degree qualification, the Top-up Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care is the perfect programme to enhance your career opportunities.

You will develop skills as a critically reflective practitioner and learn to analyse and critique ideas and practice, in order to inform your lifelong learning post-qualification.

In addition to this, students are offered the opportunity to be assessed against the new Graduate Practitioner Competencies. Successful completion of this optional module provides you with an additional certificate.

Progression Opportunities
You could secure employment in family support and projects working in a range of early years settings as a children’s centre worker, early years practitioner or a role within a primary school. The Honours Degree could also lead to management and leadership roles within early years settings, children’s centres and schools.

Postgraduate qualifications such as PGCE and Masters degrees are frequent destinations for students.

Modules

The modules studied may include:
• Concepts of Childhood
• Global Perspectives on Education
• Contemporary Discourses in Early Years
• The Creative Reflective Practitioner
• Dissertation.

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. Placement/work-based experiences are integral to the learning opportunities on the programme. 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

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 1 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:
X310
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:
X310
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 - Not accepted

A level - Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted

Scottish Higher - Not accepted

Applicants must have a Foundation Degree, HND or equivalent Level 5 in an appropriate discipline.

Applicants are required to have at least four GCSEs including English and Maths at grade 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.

Like this page