BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies with a Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies with a Foundation Year is an undergraduate degree focused on early childhood development, education policy, and professional practice. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The programme includes a compulsory foundation year designed to ease the transition into higher education before proceeding to the three-year degree. The foundation year features compulsory introductory study through modules such as Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Negotiated Studies, Equality and the Child, Policy and Politics, and Foundations of Child Development. Year 1 covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules including Children and Families, The Developing Child, Observing, Assessing, and Planning for Babies and Young Children, and Contemporary Perspectives of Childhood, alongside optional choices like Transitions and Change in Early Childhood and Children’s Stories. Year 2 advances into research and safeguarding with compulsory modules such as Preparing to Research, Safeguarding and Child Protection, Child Health and Well-Being, and Playful and Creative Approaches to the Curriculum, with options including Digital Childhoods and Creativity and the Arts in the Early Years. Year 3 concludes the degree with compulsory study in Children’s Rights and Child Voice, Towards Employability, and Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, alongside optional modules such as Attachment-informed Practice and Leadership and Management.
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Entry requirements
80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points . In addition to the A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below, applicants for this course also need GCSE English Language or English Literature at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three A Levels Grades CDD (or equivalent) Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 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 T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core) Accepted subjects: Education Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Education subjects preferred but other subjects also considered OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points Accepted subjects: Childcare and Education; Children's Care, Learning and Development; Children and Young People's Workforce; Health and Social Care; Early Years Education and Care WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD) Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
What students say
Based on about 31 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 97%
- Assessment and feedback: 96%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 65 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 81%
- Left higher education: 17%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 57 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 66%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 6%
- Unemployed: 9%
Most common jobs
- Welfare Professionals: 34%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 16%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 11%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Administrative occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 80%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 195 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 89%
- East of England: 1%
- London: 4%
- South West: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 82%
- Baccalaureate: 3%
- Access course: 7%
- Other HE qualification: 7%
- Other qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Negotiated Studies
- Equality and the Child
- Policy and Politics
- Foundations of Child Development
- Children and Families
- The Developing Child
- Observing, Assessing, and Planning for Babies and Young Children
- Contemporary Perspectives of Childhood
- Transitions and Change in Early Childhood
- Children’s Stories
- Preparing to Research
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Child Health and Well-Being
- Playful and Creative Approaches to the Curriculum
- Digital Childhoods
- Creativity and the Arts in the Early Years
- Children’s Rights and Child Voice
- Towards Employability
- Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Attachment-informed Practice
- Leadership and Management
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £27,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £19,000 and £36,500. The £27,500 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for Childhood and youth studies.
What do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University do next?
81% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
The typical offer is CDD at A level. The average entrant had 98 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
81% of students continued into their second year, and 17% left higher education.