Early Years Foundation Degree FdA

Typical offer 2025 Early Years FdA

• Level 3 early years qualification with Early Years Educator Status.
• Employment in an appropriate setting (either paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course.
• Enhanced DBS check and selection exercises.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

Typical offer 2025 Early Years (with Early Years Educator) Pathway

If you do not hold Early Years Educator Status, please apply for this pathway.

UCAS tariff points: 72

A-levels:

• DDD

T-level:

• Technical qualification in Education and Childcare or related subject and/or equivalent.

BTEC National Diploma

• MPP in Level 3 National Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development and/or equivalent

Other qualifications

• CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years, Level 3 Early Years Educator, Playwork, Children and Young People
• NVQ Level 3 in an early years, health and social care or related subject and/or equivalent, working with children aged 0-8 years.
• Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2 equating to a minimum of 72 UCAS points. Typical level requirements indicated. Health & Social Care, Education and Early Years subjects are desirable, however, we will consider other subjects at this level provided you have recent experience in an Early Years setting (either paid or voluntary).

Other requirements

• English qualification: It is desirable, but not required, for you to have a minimum of Level 2 English qualification as defined by the Department for Education on the published Early Years Qualifications List. To count in the ratios at Level 3, staff holding an Early Years Educator qualification must also have achieved a suitable Level 2 qualification in English as defined by the Department for Education on the published Early Years Qualifications List. For further information, see both links below:
  – Early years qualification requirements and standards
  – Early Years statutory framework for group and school-based providers
• A minimum IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL scores of 79 to 93 or equivalent is required for those for whom English is not their first language.
• Employment in an appropriate setting (either paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course.*
• Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.
• You will have to identify a Critical Professional Associate (Mentor) in the workplace who is qualified to Level 6 in a related field and who is willing to carry out workplace assessments. A mandatory training for the Critical Professional Associate will be provided by the University.

*It is normally expected that applicants should have prior experience in an appropriate setting prior to undertaking the Foundation Degree. However, Kingston University is committed to widening participation and encourages potential applicants who may not have 'typical' qualifications and/or experience to contact the Kingston Education Admissions Department for advice.

Typical offer 2024 Early Years FdA

• Level 3 early years qualification with Early Years Educator Status.
• Employment in an appropriate setting (either paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course.
• Enhanced DBS check and selection exercises.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.

Typical offer 2024 Early Years (with Early Years Educator) Pathway

If you do not hold Early Years Educator Status, please apply for this pathway.

UCAS tariff points: 72

A-levels:

• DDD

T-level:

• Technical qualification in Education and Childcare or related subject and/or equivalent.

BTEC National Diploma

• MPP in Level 3 National Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development and/or equivalent

Other qualifications

• CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years, Level 3 Early Years Educator, Playwork, Children and Young People
• NVQ Level 3 in an early years, health and social care or related subject and/or equivalent, working with children aged 0-8 years.
• Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2 equating to a minimum of 72 UCAS points. Typical level requirements indicated. Health & Social Care, Education and Early Years subjects are desirable, however, we will consider other subjects at this level provided you have recent experience in an Early Years setting (either paid or voluntary).

Other requirements

• English and Maths qualification: It is desirable, but not required for you to have a minimum of Level 2 Maths and English qualifications as defined by the Department for Education on the published Early Years Qualifications List. To count in the ratios at level 3, staff holding an Early Years Educator qualification must also have achieved a suitable level 2 qualification in English and Maths as defined by the Department for Education on the published Early Years Qualifications List. For further information, see both links below:
  – Early years qualification finder
  – What qualification levels mean
• A minimum IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL scores of 79 to 93 or equivalent is required for those for whom English is not their first language.
• Employment in an appropriate setting (either paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course.*
• Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.
• You will have to identify a Critical Professional Associate (Mentor) in the workplace who is qualified to Level 6 in a related field and who is willing to carry out workplace assessments. A mandatory training for the Critical Professional Associate will be provided by the University.

*It is normally expected that applicants should have prior experience in an appropriate setting prior to undertaking the Foundation Degree. However, Kingston University is committed to widening participation and encourages potential applicants who may not have 'typical' qualifications and/or experience to contact the Kingston Education Admissions Department for advice.

Additional requirements

The selection process involves interview at your chosen college, selection exercises and a current DBS check.

Alternative routes

We will consider a range of alternative qualifications or experience that is equivalent to the typical offer.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is offered for those who are unsure of the current value of their qualifications. We are seeking people who wish to enthuse and motivate young children as well as developing further their own knowledge, skills and understanding in young children's care and education.

International

International students who have the necessary visa/permit to work in the UK are welcome to apply. Please note the course does not meet the criteria for Student Route visa. If you are unsure of the current immigration rules, please contact our CAS and Visa Compliance team at UKVI@kingston.ac.uk.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

• Asia
• Africa
• Americas
• Europe
• Middle East

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.