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School of Education and Psychology

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up)

BA (Hons) Part-time 2 years

Transform your passion for early childhood education into a degree-level qualification. Our program, offered in partnership with London Early Years Foundation, is designed for professionals seeking to elevate their skills and knowledge.

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Transform your passion for early childhood education into a degree-level qualification. Our program, offered in partnership with London Early Years Foundation, is designed for professionals seeking to elevate their skills and knowledge.

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
Course specifications
View course spec
Course length
Part-time (2 years)
Campus location
London Early Years Foundation
School
School of Education and Psychology
UCAS points calculator
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Why choose this course?

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies top up is designed to help you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed in your studies with the University of Wolverhampton and London Early Years Foundation at degree level.

The course at Level 6 offers a unique blend of theories and practices in relation to Early Childhood and Early Childhood Services. We recognise that you will have a unique learning journey and we will maximise your potential through optional assessment choices such as a dissertation, interview, written assessments, reports and written plans.

Your teaching staff at London Early Years Foundation and the University are active researchers and these interests contribute to high quality teaching. You will benefit from the latest research in the areas of Early Childhood such as ‘mental health and resilience,’ ‘early year’s professionalism,’ men in childcare’ and ‘pedagogy of play.’

Your teaching team has a range of expertise and practice in Early Childhood which will help you to make the link between your learning on the course and your experiences and practice. This course is taught part-time so you are able to study more flexibly and you have the opportunity to relate work-related experiences or voluntary placements to your learning on the course. 

What happens on the course?

As a student on this course, you will further develop the skills and knowledge required to work with children from conception to eight years, their families and the services that support them.

At your learning on this course will involve gaining knowledge about the multiple perspectives of babies, young children, families and communities by drawing on a range of subject areas, such as history, psychology, education, health, welfare, sociology and social policy, cultural studies, law, and political and economic perspectives.

By drawing on these different perspectives you will understand and analyse the processes that shape childhood and babies and young children’s lives. You will also understand and analyse ethical principles, children’s rights and perspectives on childhood, outdoor play, multi-agency working, and leadership for sustainability in early year’s contexts, the early year’s curriculum and inclusive play provision.

Your engagement with London Early Years Foundation will provide you with the opportunity to be tale part in research, present findings of research at conferences. 

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement. Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Potential Career Paths

You!

Early Years Teacher

Education Consultant

Education Mental Health Practitioner

Family Support Worker

Learning Mentor

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Jan intake Fee Year
Home Part-time £4237 per year# £4237 per year 2025-26

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Entry Requirements

For Direct entry to Level 6 you need to have achieved a Foundation Degree; BTEC HND or 240 higher level credits in a subject related area.

    Other Requirements

    Successfully short listed applicants may be invited to attend an interview at London Early Years Foundation.

    Entry to this course requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) which will be undertaken through London Early Years Foundation.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

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