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Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
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More about University of Derby

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

In this Early Childhood Studies degree, you’ll explore how children develop, learn and think from birth to eight years, and gain the professional skills and knowledge you need to make a real difference to their lives.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
If you want to work in health, education or social care, Early Childhood Studies gives you an excellent start. Last year, over 98% of our graduates were in work or further study within six months of finishing. That’s in part due to the practical experience you’ll amass on this degree – for one or two days each week you’ll be on placement.

IS THIS COURSE FOR YOU?
If you want to build up a thorough understanding of early childhood and gain practical experience to take into a range of early years’ settings (nurseries, children’s centres etc) then it’s definitely for you.

HOW YOU WILL LEARN
As well as lectures, seminars and tutorials, you will be working with children on placement every week and learning through practice, observation and reflection.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY
This Early Childhood Studies degree is recognised by the Department for Education and the industry, so it opens doors to roles in the independent, private, public or voluntary sectors. Alternatively, if you decide you’d like to train as a teacher after graduating from this course, you will be guaranteed an interview for our PGCE Primary, providing you meet the entry requirements.

RELATED COURSES
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
X311
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

University of Derby has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
X311
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 72 points

We encourage you to outline all your qualifications and achievements in your application to provide us a full picture. Your offer will typically be based on your predicted and/or achieved grades from full level 3 qualifications or above e.g. A levels, BTEC Ext Diploma, Access to HE, etc. Any subject specifics are outlined below in the Further Information section, and these specifics are applicable across all equivalent qualifications. A strong application/performance and appropriate experience will be taken into account where typical criteria is not met.

A level - DDD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP

Access to HE Diploma - D: 0 credits M: 30 credits P: 15 credits

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at L2 as part of your course of study.

T Level - P

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test(SELT)at CEFR level B2 or above

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We have excluded the Grades on Entry data for this course. We may operate some flexibility with entry grades to support widening participation, though most of the students that enrol on this course achieve the published entry tariff or above. Applicants who achieve grades below the published tariff may be offered an alternative course or a 4-year route if there is one available. For further information please contact askadmissions@derby.ac.uk.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£16900*Year 1
International£16900*Year 1
England£5760*Year 1
Northern Ireland£5760*Year 1
Scotland£5760*Year 1
Wales£5760*Year 1
Channel Islands£5760*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The quoted fee is an indicative fee based on last year’s fees, as the fees for the 2026 term not yet been confirmed.

Related courses

At University of Derby

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