BA (Hons) Early Years and Primary Studies - Full Time

Early education represents a major area of public investment with the government currently investing £5.2 billion annually.

The first few years of children’s lives are crucial to their development and opportunities in later life – and the adults who work with them are ideally placed to make a difference.

As a BA (Hons) Early Years and Primary Studies student, you will graduate with knowledge and understanding of the National Curriculum (2014), EYFS (2020) and alternative pedagogical approaches and curricula. You will explore the importance of play and creativity in learning and how these concepts can be applied in practice. The curriculum will enable you to develop an understanding and strong knowledge base of the role of childhood in society, how to safeguard children and how to advocate and inform children of their rights.

The programme will offer intellectual and professional development that will encourage students to question, challenge and experience critical discussions on a wide range of topics, issues and research. This will be achieved through critically examining education and childhood encouraged through a holistic approach to teaching, learning and assessment encompassing a wide range of resources, work experiences and exploring research, both contemporary and seminal, in this field.

The course team consists of experienced lecturers and practitioners who guide you through your journey from enrolment to graduation.  The course offers assistance to find placements and supported visits to ensure you can graduate with a high level of both practical and theoretical experience in readiness for the job market.

Reasons to study with us

• We offer excellent work placement opportunities through our well-established links with early years providers
• Develop your professional practice and work towards gaining Early Years Professional Status

Entry requirements are generally given as GSCE and A Levels. These are the UK standard qualifications that are awarded at the end of a student’s time at school or college, and your country may have equivalent qualifications that can be used to support your application. You must be a minimum age of 16 or over to apply for one of our courses. Check the course finder for the exact qualification for each course.

When you search for courses, don’t worry if the entry requirements don’t specify your qualifications – we can accept alternative equivalent qualifications for many of our courses. We are happy to consider qualifications from other countries for entry onto our courses and an assessment will be made of their equivalence to our UK qualifications.

Progression routes upon completion of the programme could include teaching assistants, family support worker, nursery manager, play worker, and employment in education management roles or health and civil services.

Many students will successfully enter postgraduate study with students previously undertaken Masters in Social Care, Human Rights, Children’s Rights and Social Policy and Justice.

The postgraduate Initial Teacher Training programmes have always been a popular choice of which the degree programme will prepare you well for. 

Applications Open Now!

The application window for Access to Higher Education courses opened on 1st October 2021.

Applications for this course are made via our online application form and you are able to access it from this course page.

Once you are ready to apply then please click the ‘Apply Online‘ button located in the menu section below.

Upon successful submission of an application you will receive an acknowledgement email from our Admissions team. If you do not receive this you should contact the team to check that your application has been received.

We will then process your application and applicants will receive further correspondence from the College about the next stages of the admissions process. These will include details about interviews with the course tutor or any pre-assessments.

Our next Adult Learner Information Evening takes place on Wednesday 4th May 2022, 6pm – 8pm, where tutors will be on hand to discuss the course.

Book onto the next adult learner event here

In the mean time, if you have any further questions about the application process, want to check the progress of your application or if you are unsure about anything please contact us using the enquiry line or enquiry form below.