About Early Childhood Studies (top-up) BA (hons) in University of Northampton

If you have a Foundation Degree or HND, this course will progress you onto an honours degree. You will consolidate your knowledge of the holistic development of young children and have opportunities to apply your learning in the workplace or in a placement setting. This is a particularly useful course if you are already working in this field.

Course Details

Your studies will be supported by tutors from a range of professional areas in the field of Early Childhood and you will have the opportunity to build on your knowledge and practice skills through the academic study of Graduate Leadership, Research and Inquiry, Early Years Pedagogy or Health and Social Care.  You will also have the opportunity to undertake a research project in Early Childhood.

Along with your practical placements, you will gain real-world knowledge and expertise.

We will help you to:

• establish a rigorous understanding of young children’s holistic development in the early years through detailed analysis and evaluation of inter-disciplinary theoretical perspectives and research evidence
• develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of contemporary services and support for young children and families in a multi-agency context
• extend and refine your critical reflection on your own practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage and your graduate leadership and support of others
• support your progress towards the achievement of relevant professional standards and roles, for example in relation to Early Years Teacher Status or as preparation for further training in teaching with QTS or social work

Visit our Early Inspirations webpage for early years news, events, and resources.

The course is made up of modules covering diverse, cultural, inter-disciplinary and multi-agency contexts including leadership and management issues. There is also a specialist module to help you develop a critical analysis of contemporary issues in early childhood policy, practice and services for children and families. Alternatively you can complete a module in Health and Social Care on an alternative day.

You will complete an independent dissertation, which we will prepare you for, with specific modules on theory and research skills.

Methods of Learning

The course sessions are delivered on one day a week, giving you time to work and study in the best way that suits you. The course starts in early September, with an induction day at the end of August. You can also study an optional module in Health and Social Care alongside students on the three-year undergraduate degree.

Assessments

There are no exams for this course, instead you will be assessed on essays, online debate and discussion, individual projects and your dissertation.

Scholarships

EU and International Scholarships

We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

Sir Thomas White Scholarship

The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

TD Lewis Scholarship

The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

The Chancellor's Fund

The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

Wilson Endowment Scholarship

The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

Entry Requirements

In addition to general entry requirements, applicants are normally expected to have written English and Mathematics GCSEs grade C/4 or above. You will be expected to demonstrate your commitment to Early Childhood Studies by having previous experience of working with children under the age of eight. You will also need to attend an interview.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required if you are not already working in an early years setting. An employer DBS declaration form can be completed if you are working in an early years setting.

For information on how to apply to study with us, please see our How to Apply page.

English Language Requirements

All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

• IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
  for study at undergraduate level

For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

University of Northampton Highlights

University of Northampton Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

For all the prospective candidates for the institute, an estimated cost of living in the UK is as cpmipield below.

University of Northampton Tuition Fee

The tuition fee varies from one course to another. Following are some of the popular courses along with the tuition cost:

University of Northampton Undergraduate Courses 

University of Northampton Graduate Courses 

University of Northampton Cost of Attendance

Basic list of expenses apart from tuition fee are as follows:

University of Northampton Application Process

Basic Admission Requirements

1. Certified transcripts of high school/college/university
2. One reference required
3. Statement of Purpose depicting the interest of the applicant in the chosen course
4. MBA applicants must also have a proof of work experience
5. Arts and design applicant must also submit their portfolio 

The outcomes of the English proficiency tests taken by all of the international applicants. IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and Pearson PTE are acceptable tests. The minimal IELTS scores needed to get admitted are as follows:

Additional Requirements

1. An overseas student who has been accepted must pay the GBP 5,000 deposit fee before the university would issue them a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
2. Other documents for the visa application process are:

• Passport
• UK visa history form
• Proof of financial support