Early Years: Education & Leadership in Practice BA (Hons) top-up

Why choose this course?

If you have a foundation degree in Early Years and are employed in a setting, this course offers a work-based route to a BA (Hons) degree. You'll earn while you learn, combining academic study with work-based learning.

This course has been designed to develop your leadership practices within an educational setting. You'll build upon your working practice knowledge and examine the latest research and issues concerning early education. The course covers diversity and equal opportunities, inclusion, critical choices, liaison with multi-agencies and other adults, pastoral care, management and leadership roles, and researching and developing an area of interest.

You'll develop your critical thinking and understanding whilst exploring theory and practical subjects through a range of learning experiences. Assignments enable you to draw on your professional knowledge in work-based situations.

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Attendance UCAS code Year of entry
1 year full time (employment based) X112 2022
2023

External applicants: please note that places for external applicants are limited on this course. If you studied your Foundation Degree at a college that is not within the Kingston University partnership, please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Location Kingston Hill
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Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • Kingston is No.2 overall in the UK for education (Guardian league tables 2022).
  • This course is designed in collaboration with local authorities, Early Years settings and other educational organisations.
  • The course reflects the evolving needs of the Early Years sector, ensuring you'll be kept up to date with the latest developments and initiatives in Early Years.

What you will study

The course covers the following areas:

  • leadership and management theories and models
  • inclusion
  • critical choices
  • liaison with multi-agencies and other adults
  • research an area of interest within Early Years practice

Modules

You will explore leading through transitions, diversity and equal opportunities and leadership theories.

Core modules

Leading Through Transitions

30 credits

This module critically analyses relevant legislation, research, theory and literature to underpin effective pedagogical practices in transition for children, families, practitioners and professionals. Students are required to engage with online learning materials, including an audit tool, to inform professional dialogue concerning transition. The module encourages personal and professional reflection of transition practice and how this might be modified to improve outcomes for children and families.

Leadership, Diversity and Equal Opportunities

30 credits

This module examines leadership in relation to diversity, equality of opportunity and inclusion within Early Years provision. Key legislation, statutory and ethical frameworks are analysed, identifying implications for policies and procedures in Early Years settings. National and international perspectives are explored encouraging students to identify influences that inform decisions. Methods of observations and documentation are critiqued, with data collection used to select strategies for developing an inclusive learning environment.

Critical Choices For Leaders

30 credits

This module explores a range of theoretical perspectives including leadership and management theories. Students are introduced to key factors that affect change in their work environment. It explores current issues and dilemmas facing practitioners in the field of Early Years and identifies strategies that may support personal and professional development. Key policies, legislation and statutory frameworks are critiqued. The module provides an overview of recent and relevant intrapersonal, inter-professional and multi-professional factors that impact provision, including safeguarding and child protection.

Dissertation in an aspect of Professional Practice

30 credits

This module introduces students to a range of methodologies, which will enable them to design and implement a small-scale enquiry, which is relevant to their interest, role and work place. Students will gain an understanding of the philosophies and practices of systematic enquiry in Early Years-related fields and its application within their professional and pedagogical contexts.

The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2023

FdA (or equivalent) in Early Years and experience in a relevant setting. Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for duration of the course. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview.

  • FdA in Early Years or equivalent qualification
  • 240 CATS points
  • Employment in an appropriate setting for 16 hours a week minimum for the duration of the course
  • Normally two years' experience in an appropriate Early Years setting
  • Your background experience, previous education and training will be considered if you do not meet the formal entry requirements

Typical offer 2022

FdA (or equivalent) in Early Years and experience in a relevant setting. Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for duration of the course. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview.

  • FdA in Early Years or equivalent qualification
  • 240 CATS points
  • Employment in an appropriate setting for 16 hours a week minimum for the duration of the course
  • Normally two years' experience in an appropriate Early Years setting
  • Your background experience, previous education and training will be considered if you do not meet the formal entry requirements

Alternative routes

We will consider a range of alternative qualifications or experience that is equivalent to the typical offer.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is offered for those who are unsure of the current value of their qualifications. We are seeking people who wish to enthuse and motivate young children as well as developing further their own knowledge, skills and understanding in young children's care and education.

International

International students who have the necessary visa/permit to work in the UK are welcome to apply. Please note the course does not meet the criteria for Student Route visa. If you are unsure of the current immigration rules, please contact our CAS and Visa Compliance team at UKVI@kingston.ac.uk.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

You will attend taught sessions once a week, usually a Tuesday evening, between 5 and 9pm. (Please note that the time and day of teaching is dependent on student numbers and University resources).

There are occasional Saturday sessions that are scheduled in advance and you will be notified of dates at the start of the academic year. Teaching includes lectures, work-based learning activities, tutorials, online learning, workshops and seminars.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking coursework assignments and preparing and giving presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University. 

Your workload

Year 1

Year 1
  • Field work: 512 hours
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 528 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 160 hours

 

  • Year 1 - 44% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity

How you will be assessed

Assessment is not by written exams. Progress is measured through a variety of assignments enabling you to draw on your professional knowledge in work-based situations which you will underpin with theoretical perspectives. You will also participate in practical learning experiences that will enable you to reflect on and apply the knowledge you have gained.

The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:

Year 1

Year 1
  • Coursework: 100%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback to you on your assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Scheduled teaching takes place one evening per week between 5pm and 9pm.

Who teaches this course?

This course is a work-based learning degree with part-time study at Kingston University. Our lecturers all have experience teaching in their specialist fields and remain actively connected to over 200 partner colleges and schools in the central and Greater London region.

Caroline Guard

Course director

Ms Antje Dragoni

Mary Hodson

Ms Hazel Marian

Joanne McKibbin

Course fees and funding

2023/24 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a ‘Home' (UK) or ‘International' student. In 2023/24 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250*
Franchise continuing rate £7,300

This fee applies to students studying for the Early Years BA(Hons) top-up in the 2023/24 academic year.

Please note that a reduced fee of £7,300 will apply to foundation students from our franchise partners only. This only applies to students who directly progress from the FdA to the Top-Up, if there is a break between the two courses then the full fee will apply.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2022/23 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'Overseas' student. In 2022/23 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250*
International £15,400

This fee applies to students studying for the Early Years BA(Hons) top-up in the 2022/23 academic year.

Please note that a reduced fee of £7,300 will apply to foundation students from our franchise partners only. This only applies to students who directly progress from the FdA to the Top-Up, if there is a break between the two courses then the full fee will apply.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies for 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting in 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees; this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Facilities

The Kingston Hill campus features an outdoor learning environment where trainee teachers lead curriculum-linked natural sciences activities with children. It includes a specially built 'cubby house', outdoor pond, beehive and nature trail. It offers early years students the opportunity to simulate teaching and learning with natural materials.

There are a number of teaching rooms set up to replicate actual classrooms. Each classroom is subject based – such as an art room, science lab – and is equipped with all the relevant facilities you will need to practise your lessons before taking them into school.

Our library (the Nightingale Centre) has an excellent range of teaching resources to help you plan and teach your lessons, such as a range of children's topic books, music and nursery rhymes on CD, as well as artefacts and kits that can be used to illustrate historical periods, different religions, science, mathematics and music.

Facilities

After you graduate

This qualification is valued by employers and will be a mark of your professional excellence and expertise, enabling you to develop your career. Once you complete this course, you will be well-placed to pursue postgraduate opportunities to enhance your professional development in education and related fields. Many graduates return to Kingston University for postgraduate and continuing professional development studies. These include Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS, Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or other masters studies.

Types of jobs

  • Early Years manager
  • Early Years lead practitioner
  • Nursery manager
  • Early Years advisory roles
  • Family outreach worker
  • Play worker
  • Assessors, educators, tutors
  • Childcare coordinator
  • Children's centre manager
  • Community nursery nurse
  • Deputy nursery manager
  • Early Years education and childcare officer
  • Family centre coordinator