BA (Hons) Early Years and Childhood Studies (Foundation Year)

If someone asked you to explain why we educate people, what would you say?

Education isn’t simply about the ability to read and write. It’s understanding how our minds, our families,
and our societies influence the way we learn. How education – and a lack of it – shapes our future.

In the School of Childhood, Youth and Education Studies we offer degree courses that will give you an insight into the way in which our families, communities and societies influence our understanding of childhood systems that support their learning and development.

You’ll also explore themes from the history of education to constructing childhood, from the impact of gender and disability on our ability to learn, to the use of the arts to regenerate a deprived urban area, to whether play can help adults to learn. You’ll challenge theories, discover global views on education and social policy and investigate factors that may stop children from reaching their potential.

The Early Years and Childhood Studies degree with a Foundation Year provides a route onto a degree if you don't have the qualifications, or have not studied advanced level subjects sufficiently related to your course of choice, but have the ability to study for a degree.

Each foundation year is part of a specific degree course. You apply for four years full-time, including the Foundation Year. 

All foundation year students have access to academic and pastoral support from several sources, including a Personal Tutor, Foundation Year Guidance Manager and University Student Services.

The structure of the Education foundation year is outlined below:

You will study 120 credits, which are divided into four, 30-credit units.
Teaching is delivered via a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops, PC lab sessions, online material and self-study time.
There are no formal examinations.
Teaching mainly occurs within the week, which allows you to network directly with students across all university disciplines and levels of study, and with external partners and organisations.