Entry tariff:
Foundation Year: 64–80 UCAS points (or equivalent)
UCAS Code:
X100
Start date(s):
September 2026
Learn how to make a real difference in the lives of young children, families, and communities while developing the professional skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the early childhood sector.
This programme equips you with a critical and interdisciplinary understanding of childhood from birth to eight years, drawing on education, psychology, sociology, health, and social policy. You’ll explore contemporary issues in early childhood, including equity, inclusion, and social justice, preparing you to respond thoughtfully and ethically in diverse settings.
You’ll gain practical experience and professional insight through placements in nurseries, schools, children’s centres, and community organisations, developing skills in:
- Child development, learning, and wellbeing
- Leadership, teamwork, and multi-agency collaboration
- Reflective practice, communication, and problem-solving
Through the FdA Early Childhood Studies programme, you’ll graduate as a confident, capable practitioner ready for a wide range of roles in early years education, family support, health and social care, or for further study in the field. Real-world learning and reflective practice ensure you gain the experience and insight needed to thrive in your chosen career.
Did you know?
The programme encourages you to act as an advocate for children and families, supporting their rights and voices while fostering lifelong learning and professional growth.
Top 6 in London in Childhood & Youth Studies
(Complete University Guide 2025)
Silver in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
For delivering high quality teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.
#1 modern university in the UK for Research
Research Excellence Framework
In this module you will explore contemporary issues in education and early years, developing a broad and informed understanding of topics such as children’s wellbeing, identity, belonging, spirituality, professionalism, curriculum, and assessment. You will consider diverse perspectives, reflect on ethical and global dimensions, and challenge assumptions linked to childhood and sustainability. You will also build essential academic skills, including confident communication, analytical thinking, responsible use of AI, and accurate referencing. By reflecting on your learning and engaging with university support, you will strengthen your academic development and prepare for future career opportunities. You will consolidate your learning through interactive tasks, a presentation, and a position paper.
In this module you will explore Froebel’s vision for early childhood, gaining a clear understanding of his holistic approach and the central role of play in children’s learning and development. You will examine how Froebelian principles influence contemporary practice and policy, and consider their relevance in addressing global issues that affect young children, including climate change and socio economic inequalities. Through this study you will reflect on how these principles can guide meaningful, child centred practice and contribute to positive change for children, families and communities.
In this module you will explore children’s development from conception to eight years, gaining a holistic understanding of how they grow, learn and thrive. You will study key theories, practise observing young children, and reflect on ethics and professional responsibilities. Through filmed examples you will strengthen your confidence in interpreting development and building positive relationships in practice. You will also consider equity, diversity and inclusion, along with the wider social and cultural influences that shape children’s lives, helping you prepare for your future placement.
In this module you will take your first steps into professional practice, applying your developing knowledge of early childhood in real settings. You will explore your values and identity, build respectful relationships, and deepen your understanding of children’s development, health, wellbeing and learning. During 175 hours in nurseries, early years settings or schools, you will work as part of a team, use reflective skills to enhance your practice, and gather evidence toward the Graduate Practitioner Competencies. With guidance from tutors and mentors, you will grow in confidence and gain insight into your future career in the early years sector.
These are the current planned modules on this course and may be subject to change.
In this module you will explore the many ways children communicate and make meaning from birth, including verbal and non verbal expression, reading and early writing. You will examine how children engage with books, develop reading and writing skills, learn multiple languages and how best to support those with SEND. You will reflect on key theories of language development and practise observing and documenting children’s communication. You will also consider equity, diversity and inclusion, exploring how social, cultural and policy contexts shape early communication and literacy, and reflect on global perspectives and your own experiences.
In this module you will deepen your understanding of the nature, purpose and use of educational research in local, national and global contexts. You will engage critically with different methodologies and paradigms, exploring how evidence is gathered, interpreted and applied across varied social, economic and cultural settings. You will examine how research informs professional practice, shapes policy and supports educational innovation. Through ethical and methodological reflection, you will strengthen your skills in enquiry and learn to connect theory with practice, helping you contribute to inclusive and evidence based educational environments.
In this module you will learn how to create and sustain safe, inclusive learning environments across a range of early years settings. You will examine how teaching approaches, culture and relationships influence children’s and young people’s experiences, and explore the four areas of need within SEND frameworks with a focus on neurodiversity and autism. You will analyse different understandings of disability, develop inclusive practice, and strengthen your collaboration with professionals, families and communities. By linking theory to practice, you will build skills in observation, reflection and analysis to support environments where everyone feels valued and included.
In this module you will build on your first placement experience by extending your professional skills across 210 hours in nurseries, early years settings, schools, or other areas of early childhood. You will deepen your understanding of children’s development, health, wellbeing, participation and learning, while strengthening your reflexive practice through academic reading and reflective tasks. You will work to develop ethical, respectful relationships with children, families and practitioners, recognising the importance of social and cultural context. Support from mentors and tutors will guide your progress as you evidence the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies and prepare for your oral assessment.
These are the current planned modules on this course and may be subject to change.
Careers
This Foundation Degree is designed to help you grow into a capable and confident professional within the early childhood sector, with a strong focus on leadership, expert knowledge and practice-based teamwork. You will learn how to work collaboratively across agencies and contribute to high quality provision for children and families.
Our programme is shaped by close partnerships with early childhood settings, children’s centres, community organisations and national and international bodies. Local schools and early childhood providers offer placements that enrich your learning and often lead to continued collaboration after graduation. A wide network of employers and sector specialists also contribute through guest lectures across the programme, giving you valuable insight into real working contexts and supporting your career development.
Through these experiences you will strengthen your professional identity and open pathways into roles such as
- early years education and care
- family and community support
- health and social care
- leadership and multi agency work
Your studies also provide a strong base for further progression to a top up degree or continued professional development within early childhood and related fields.
Learning and Assessment
How you’ll learn:
You will learn through a participatory, research informed approach that combines Froebelian principles with inclusive teaching practices. The programme is designed to support your academic growth while developing your professional identity and leadership skills in early childhood education.
Your studies introduce key concepts in child development, safeguarding and academic literacy, before moving on to more complex ideas such as holistic development, inclusive practice and research methods. Throughout the programme, placements give you practical experience in real early childhood settings, helping you link theory with practice and build confidence in professional environments.
Teaching methods include:
- lectures, seminars and tutorials
- practice based simulations
- placements in nurseries, schools and community settings
- digital resources and recorded content for flexible learning
Attendance at in-person sessions is essential for collaborative and skills-focused activities, while the programme’s inclusive approach ensures all students are supported in developing critical thinking, reflective practice and professional capability.
How you’ll be assessed:
Assessment on the FdA programme is designed to be practical and professionally relevant, reflecting the real tasks you will encounter in early childhood settings. Each module includes no more than two summative assessments, keeping your workload clear and manageable.
Formative feedback is built into every module, giving you guidance on how to improve and develop your skills before final submissions. This ongoing support helps you grow in confidence and strengthens both your academic and professional capabilities.
You will engage with a variety of assessment types that support:
- theoretical understanding and practical application
- development of key skills in reading, writing and communication
- deepening knowledge of child development and early years theory
- reflective practice and professional identity
You will also build essential skills in collaboration, critical thinking and ethical research, preparing you for success in early childhood education and related career paths.
Course staff
Dr Fengling Tang
I'm Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies. I am Programme Leader for the Early Childhood Studies BA/FdA/Top Up and Froebel Professional Certificate Course in Early Childhood. My teaching covers the undergraduate, postgraduate and Froebel Certificate courses. My research interests include young children’s identities, children’s rights and participation, Froebelian perspectives, wellbeing and spirituality, early childhood professionalism and pedagogy, play and creativity, technology in early childhood, education for sustainability, and ethnographic research with young children.
Sigrid Brogaard-Clausen
I am a senior lecturer on the Early Childhood Studies programme. My Danish Education as a Social Pedagogue forms the platform for my work, influencing both my role as a lecturer/ tutor and my research with a particular interest in promoting democratic participation and wellbeing of young children and early childhood professionals. My research and teaching focus on advocacy and professionalism is based on democratic principles and critical consideration of the context of curricula and professional education in England and abroad, with specific knowledge of the Danish context.
Dr Evelyn Corrado
I'm Evelyn and i use multidiscplinary appraoch in my teaching and research. My study background is Psychology (MSc and BSc) and Sociology of Education. My Ph.D. research explored dialogic pedagogies in Kenya to enhance teaching and learning. I grew up in Kenya and have a tremendous social-cultural understanding of the African context, which informs my work. Previously, I worked in UK Mental Health Sector for almost ten years and later as an academic tutor at Middlesex University for four years (in the BA Education program).
Dr Sue Smedley
I am Sue Smedley and I teach a variety of undergraduate courses in education and early childhood studies, including the dissertation module in early childhood studies students’ final year. My main interests are in early years and primary teachers’ professional identities and in the place of Froebelian principles. Prior to joining the university, I worked as a primary school teacher in South East London. My research interests are in these two main areas: the experiences of men who train to become primary school teachers; the opportunities to protect and extend Froebelian principles in practice.
Dr Megan Loveys
I am a Lecturer in the School of Education. My PhD research explored the context of one special-mainstream partnership in Further Education. I am very interested in how we can create more collaborative partnerships in education that embody inclusion to better support all students and specifically, students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. My other research interests include transitions throughout education, the use of technology to enhance learning and wellbeing, and the relationship between children and young people's mental health and learning outcomes.
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Applying
Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS.
Entry tariff
112–128 UCAS points (or equivalent)
Looking to work out your UCAS points or find out about our entry requirements? Find out more.
When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements. Find out more about our Contextual Offer scheme.
Specific entry requirements
Career prospects are greatly enhanced by having GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above on this course.
General entry requirements
September 2025 entry tuition fees
UK (home) tuition fees
Undergraduate degree: £9,535
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our financial support pages for UK students.
We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.
Additional costs
DBS check - £49.50
International undergraduate students apply through our direct application system.
Entry tariff
112–128 UCAS points (or equivalent)
Looking to work out your UCAS points or find out about our entry requirements? Find out more.
When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements. Find out more about our Contextual Offer scheme.
General entry requirements
September 2025 entry tuition fees
EU and international tuition fees
Undergraduate degree: £16,950
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries. See our financial support pages for international students.
We also provide other ways to support the cost of living, including on-campus car parking, hardship support and some of the most affordable student accommodation and catering in London. Find out more about how we can support you.
Need help or advice before applying?
Education
The School of Education is renowned for its high-quality teaching and research, and is one of the principal teacher training providers in the UK.
