Do you want to work with young children? Or maybe you already are? This exciting foundation degree can help you start or advance a rewarding career in early years education.
This course at University Centre West Anglia offers a higher-level qualification for anyone working as a teaching assistant, early years nursery worker or playworker. It’s also ideal if you want to study before starting your career.
You’ll learn about the education sector as well as child development, play, safeguarding and equality. There’s a strong focus on issues that are currently affecting early years and education services – as well as on your ability to carry out research.
When you graduate, you’ll have a foundation degree. You may choose to apply for a top-up course to get a full honours degree.
Careers
This foundation degree will open up a number of career options. You’ll be able to apply for roles in nursery work, school support and playwork. It will also be an advantage if you want to do further study, such as topping up to a full honours degree.
With the support of a mentor, you’ll do work placements and record your progress in a professional development portfolio. You’ll develop a wide range of practical and analytical skills which are valued by employers, including the ability to think critically about your work and the setting you’re in.
If further study is not for you, you may be able to gain senior practitioner status in an early years setting, move into management or work as a higher level teaching assistant.
Teaching and modules
Our friendly tutors all have experience of working in the education sector. They’re keen to see you succeed, and will give you regular, helpful support and feedback. Classes are generally small. You’ll study individually and in small groups to develop your flexibility, independence and teamwork.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
As you move through the course at University Centre West Anglia, we’ll check your progress regularly to make sure you’re achieving milestones and getting any extra support you may need. There are no exams, but you’ll be assessed on written work. This will include essays, a reflective diary, reports, presentations, web discussions and a professional development portfolio.
Facilities
Study at University Centre West Anglia and benefit from facilities including:
14 digitally-enabled classrooms
120-seat multimedia lecture theatre
a Learning Resource Centre, containing traditional and modern resources to enhance your learning
depending on your course, you may use the £2.5m Creative Studios building.
Entry requirements
To apply for this course you'll need:
64 UCAS tariff points from a relevant level 3 qualification
a grade 4 (C) or above in GCSE English language
two years of proven work experience in an early years or school setting
an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
Fees and funding
£9,000UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
Paying your tuition fees If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.
If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.
Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.
Our Money Advice Service is on hand if you’d like to chat about living costs, budgets and managing your money. You can also find out more about student finance at one of our Open Days.