Childhood Studies BA (Hons) - Top Up Year

The core modules on the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies (Top Up) programme include:

• Preparing for the dissertation• Literature for children• Representation of childhood• Outdoor Learning• Professional Roles• Reflective Practice• Dissertation

Many students use Early Childhood Studies as the basis to go on to train for related jobs such as teachers, social work, educational psychology, play therapy, youth and family work.

You must hold a relevant Level 3 / T Level qualification and a work-based Foundation Degree (or equivalent) mapped to the ECS QAA Benchmark Statement and have achieved Level 2 English and maths qualifications, though we can help you to achieve these if necessary. You must also be currently employed or volunteer in a registered early-years setting for at least 10 hours per week.

IELTS level 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking (if English is not the first language).

If you need a student visa to enter the UK, you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements. The University’s English language requirements can be found at www.brookes.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/undergraduate/undergraduate-entry-requirements.

We include students with disabilities and/or learning difficulties into the life of the College and seek to offer opportunities for success in all courses at all levels. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss.

Home Tuition fee £7,700 per year International Tuition fee £9,900 per year for new students, £9,650 per year for continuers.

Whilst all core textbooks are available in the College and University libraries and online, students may wish to purchase their own copies. Prices of core textbooks range from £15.00 - £55.00.

All fees are payable to Oxford Brookes University at enrolment.

You can find information on our fees and on Student Finance at www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk/support/fees-bursaries. Please note tuition fees may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the University and all college partners.

As part of your course we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate.

There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.

The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 555 585 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.

BA(Hons) in Early Childhood Studies. Awarded by Oxford Brookes University.

This course utilises a team-based learning approach. Team-based learning is an evidence-based, active learning, collaborative approach designed to enhance student engagement, scaffold students in their independent learning, and deepen the level of learning in class. It also strengthens students’ ability to work in groups – an important professional skill for all educators. Students are allocated to a team at the beginning of the year and remain in the same team throughout the entire course in order to learn how to work effectively together. Students are expected to prepare for each lesson individually by studying the preparatory study guides and assigned readings provided by the tutors and then undertake activities in class as a team. These are designed to challenge students to apply knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts to real practice problems or events and engage in high level critical thinking about content covered in the modules. Students are also expected to participate actively in class and online discussions. The student’s proper preparation is therefore essential to enable learning and participation in this course.

All staff delivering on the course have a minimum qualification level at grade 6 and substantial experience of working within a variety of early years settings.

Each module is completed with an assessed piece of work designed to enable exploration of themes that have been studied. Some assignments relate to your practice in your own setting and range from reflections on practice and in-class presentations and seminars to your cohort, to written essays, reports, and a small-scale research study.

There are no exams. Assessment is through coursework assignments and professional placement activity.