Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies with a Foundation Year BA (Hons)
Birmingham City University
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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

City South Campus, Edgbaston

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

City South Campus, Edgbaston

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Childhood & Youth Studies
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Social Work
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Education
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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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UCAS Tariff
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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England
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Course info

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies is a course designed to support you to develop the skills, knowledge, and experience to work effectively in meeting the needs of babies and young children from 0 – 8 years old, and their families. The course covers theoretical and practical aspects of early childhood, with a strong commitment to social justice and promoting equity.As you progress throughout the course, you will develop the skills and confidence needed to ...Read more

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies is a course designed to support you to develop the skills, knowledge, and experience to work effectively in meeting the needs of babies and young children from 0 – 8 years old, and their families. The course covers theoretical and practical aspects of early childhood, with a strong commitment to social justice and promoting equity.As you progress throughout the course, you will develop the skills and confidence needed to be an agent for change, discovering and building on your passion in advocating for children to make a positive contribution both to their lives and to the early childhood sector.Through both course modules and on placement, you will work towards Graduate Practitioner Competencies, gathering knowledge and practical experience in understanding the fundamental aspects of working with babies and young children. This is part of our commitment to supporting you in preparing for the world of work. This course can open doors into a variety of professions related to Early Childhood, and we will support and guide you as you discover the role that suits you best. Placement opportunities across all three years of the degree will enable you to work and learn alongside a variety of professionals delivering services that support the wellbeing, development and learning needs of babies and young children.Student placements can include early years settings (nurseries), primary schools, and health and social care sectors (so can include hospitals, home visits). Opportunities may include charities such as Barnardo's, children and family hubs, museums, family support centres, Action for Children, Children's Quarter (an organisation for inclusion), SEND settings, playgroups, and libraries among many other organisations.We also draw on employers and professionals who provide some guest lectures, offering insight into their experiences alongside our own tutors. Our tutors on the programme come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and are research active, understanding the demands of study, work, and family life. They are committed to the same agenda of social justice, social mobility and social responsibility that forms the underpinning philosophy of the programme.


Foundation Year

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with a Foundation Year course has been specifically designed to support your transition to degree-level study in Education. As a student, you will undertake a foundation year situated at level 3 study, which has been designed as a prelude to your chosen degree course, providing opportunities for you to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding. Your learning journey through your foundation year will provide a secure platform on which you can build throughout your academic career in higher education.As part of the foundation year, you will explore and develop number of essential academic, interpersonal and professional skills that will help you succeed in your future degree level studies. Your foundation year includes four core modules and two subject pathway modules.On successful completion of your foundation year, you are guaranteed to progress on to the first year of the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree. If you are interested in progressing on to one of our other Education and Social Work degrees, this will be subject to space available on those courses and on meeting the relevant entry requirements, which may include passing an interview.

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
76/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
26th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
92nd
Childhood and Youth Studies
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Childhood and Youth Studies graduate salary at this uni
£17,000
UK Childhood and Youth Studies graduate salary
£17,000
What students say
A
Asma
01 Dec 23

People and staff are lovely. University is a vibrant environment. Lots of opportunities to make new friendships, join clubs and engage in social activities. However it takes time..Read more

A
Anjeli
27 Nov 23

Uni is extremely supportive and always has an open ear to the students. Some courses I have found to be unorganised whereas some such as mine are excellent! The only downfall I..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Module Options
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

CDD Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

UCAS Tariff:

80 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

24 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

T Level:

Pass (C and above) Grades / Points required

80 UCAS tariff points from three A Levels. Grades CDD (or equivalent).

80 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)

80 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD)

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3. Accepted subjects: Education subjects preferred but other subjects also considered.

Obtain a minimum of 24 points overall. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at grade C/4 or above, grade 5 in Maths (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted. For students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at grade C/4 or above, English Language (Standard level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted. For English A, this must be grade 4 or above; for English B, this must be grade 5.

Minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects

80 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.

80 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.

80 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.

Pass overall (C or above on the core). Accepted subjects: Education

Popular A-level subjects

Childhood and Youth Studies

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Sociology
40%
Psychology
34%
English Literature
20%
Religious Studies & Theology
18%
History
13%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£16,085 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£16,085 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£16085 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Children / Youth (Social Work) reviews

Children / Youth (Social Work)
Children / Youth (Social Work)
Early Learning
A
Asma
01 Dec 23
People and staff are lovely. University is a vibrant environment. Lots of opportunities to make new friendships, join clubs and engage in social activities. However it takes time...
Read more
A
Anjeli
27 Nov 23
Uni is extremely supportive and always has an open ear to the students. Some courses I have found to be unorganised whereas some such as mine are excellent! The only downfall I...
Read more
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How Children / Youth (Social Work) students rated:

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( 4.0) 18 reviews
5 star
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4 stars
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3 stars
11%
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( 4.0) 2,273 reviews
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Uni info

Birmingham City University
Westbourne Road Birmingham B15 3TN United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Five Ways  0.3 miles away
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