Our Early Childhood programme offers you the chance to combine your study with work and family commitments. You might be an early years educator, a parent, a grandparent or a health worker, or simply wish to build on your relevant experience in a professional, personal or voluntary context. The degree is designed to support people who are new to university study.

The Foundation Degree:

• Combines academic rigour with professional practice
• Promotes key and transferable skills, e.g. leadership, communication
• Prepares for career progression and is a route to further study
• Builds on prior experience and learning
• Runs on one evening per week and two Saturdays per term

Following the Foundation Degree, students can progress to the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Degree. This degree offers optional modules in the third year, which allows you to choose a named award in your study choices:

• BA Early Childhood
• BA Early Childhood (Teaching, Learning and Assessment)
• BA Early Childhood (Leadership)
• BA Early Childhood (Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and Disability)

For more information on the programme structure of this course, please see our Programme Details page.

• NVQ Level 3 or prior academic/vocational study and experience is an advantage
• GCSE grade C in English and maths is a distinct advantage

The programme if for people working in private or public contexts with responsibility for young children and families, including

• Early years practitioners in childminder, private, voluntary and independent settings
• Teaching and learning support assistants, classroom assistants and early years educators working in schools and other educational settings
• Health workers, parents and grandparents involved in supporting children's learning, welfare and development

Part-time, modular structure linking theory and practice

• Core and optional modules
• Flexible delivery methods including seminars, workshops, professional tasks, lectures and online learning opportunities
• A commitment to attending one session per week and two Saturdays per term in the first year (Wednesday evenings at Warwick and Thursdays (tbc) from 2pm at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College); Saturday teaching days at the University of Warwick, 9.30am-4pm
• A commitment to gaining substantial and broad experience in one or more Early Years contexts, either as a volunteer or employee
• A Certificate in Early Childhood may be awarded (FHEQ Level 4) for those who do not choose to progress to FHEQ Level 5
• The Foundation qualification is at FHEQ Level 5 and provides an opportunity to progress to our BA (Hons) Early Childhood

There are a variety of assessments and these may include coursework assignments, presentations and research projects. You can expect to commit to around 10 hours a week for each module you take which includes contact time and independent study. You study three modules in year one, three in year two and two in year three of the Foundation Degree. You then do a further 30 credit module in the summer of the third year if you are progressing to the BA and 90 credits in the fourth and final year.

• Achieve a University of Warwick degree
• Gain knowledge and understanding of early childhood
• Build up your confidence as a scholar and professional
• Progress to an Honours degree
• Be on a recognised programme approved by the Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years professional organisation

Applications for 2019 are now open, (closing date is 16 September 2019). Please apply here.

• Applications are considered on individual merit
• Applicants attend an interview and complete some tasks

Tuition fees for Home/EU Students in 2019-20 are as follows:

£4,620 (90 credits)

See Student fees and funding for more information and view potential additional fees. You can also download a copy of fee information for 2019-20 here.

We offer the course at The University of Warwick and at our partner college, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College. All students attend six Saturday Schools each year at the University of Warwick.

The course will run one session per week and two Saturdays per term in the first year (Wednesday evenings at Warwick and Thursdays (tbc from 2pm at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College); Saturday teaching days at the University of Warwick, 9.30am-4pm.

Our Saturday teaching days for Warwick are as follows:

Sessions in your first year will take place on:

• 28 September 2019 (Induction),

• 23 November 2019

• 1 March 2020

• 7 March 2020

• 16 May 2020

• 6 May 2020

The closing date for applications for this course Monday 16 September 2019. The course will start week commencing 30 September 2018 with an induction event for all students on Saturday 28 September at the University of Warwick.

*The modules mentioned above may be subject to change. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.