Early Years Foundation Degree

This course is subject to validation. This course is ideal if you already have an early years qualification at level 3 and want to increase your knowledge. It is also an ideal course for students who have completed a level 3 course in early years or for those who have completed A levels or an equivalent and want to learn more about children and their families. The course takes place over two evenings a week and one of these evenings is delivered electronically through web based activities and webenair.

This course is subject to Validation

Students must meet the course entry requirements to be considered for a place. · Mature Students (aged 21 years or over in the year of entry) will be expected to have had a minimum of two years experience in relevant employment of or at least the equivalent of a half-time post, or organised voluntary work. · All entrants must be employed (or undertaking substantial voluntary work) in the sector for the duration of the course · It is preferred that applicants have an NVQ3 or equivalent level 3 qualification in childcare/education · Students under 21 years (in the year of entry) as well as the above employment requirements, will be required to obtain a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points or equivalent, which may be demonstrated by one or more of the following in any combination: A-level, AS level or A2 level Advanced VCE AS, A or double Single Units (Key Skills, Maths, VCE) Scottish Framework Qualifications CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education Advanced Apprenticeship in a related subject area Learning from relevant work experience, equivalent to the above - An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check is required - Computer literate This course must be applied for through UCAS: http://ucas.com/students/apply/

If you’re not quite sure whether you can afford the time or the money to go onto a full degree course at a University, but still want to work towards that goal, then a Foundation Degree is the option for you. By enrolling onto a Foundation Degree you will still have the opportunity to work and put what you learn into practice. On successful completion of your course you can apply to the University of Gloucestershire to complete a third year to obtain a bachelors degree in Combined Studies, Early Childhood Studies or Health, Community and Social Care. Students wishing to progress into teaching and gain QTS would need to complete a BA Combined Studies course with the option of studying one of the National Curriculum subjects, such as English, RE or Geography before taking a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). In order to complete a BA you will also need to have achieved GCSE Maths and English at grades A*-C.