Birmingham City University
Early Years FdA
Birmingham City University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 35 graduates of Early Years FdA and other courses in Health Sciences (Non-Specific) at Birmingham City University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Health Sciences (Non-Specific).

Overall student satisfaction
45 /100
35 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in CAH02

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Health Sciences (Non-Specific) at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £28000 £25000 £27000
25-75 percentile range £25500 - £33000 £18500 - £30500 £19500 - £34000


Salary of all UK Graduates of CAH02

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26587 £25499 £28607
25-75 percentile range £25118 - £29741 £18108 - £32192 £20919 - £36652

Course Description

Are you passionate about working with young children in public, private, voluntary and independent childcare, early years or education settings? Perhaps you already work within the early years sector and would like to upskill or considering advanced practice.

The Foundation degree in Early Years aims to develop the skills and knowledge for you to develop your professional practice and support your career aspirations. The foundation degree is a recognised qualification in the sector and can also be a stepping stone to higher level and degree studies. Many students join an honours degree at level 6 (final year) on completion of the foundation degree.

The course is carefully designed to offer appropriate skills and knowledge relating to professional practice, and the application of work-based experience. It also focuses on your self-development and independent learning, as well as team work and your ability to manage others.

Skills and knowledge acquired from your modules combine to give you a thorough appreciation of a child’s social and emotional development, covering issues of language, literacy and numeracy, knowledge and understanding of the world, and physical and creative development.

Applying your knowledge in real Early Years settings is a vital part of your learning, and you need to complete 720 hours of work placement during the course. As a working, part-time student, you normally achieve this through your professional commitments; if you study full-time, you get all the support you need to find a suitable work placement.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Early Years FdA at Birmingham City University

65% Information Technology Professionals
25% Administrative occupations
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Finance Professionals

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Health Sciences (Non-Specific)

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

D*D in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A in A-level mathematics. or DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma plus grade A* in A-level mathematics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

Considered at confirmation

Access to HE Diploma

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Level subjects.

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades A*A in two A-levels including mathematics (minimum grade A) or D* in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-levels including mathematics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without A-level Maths. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year.

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: DD plus A Level English at grade B. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB-ABB at A Level (preferably including a foreign language) and grade A in the EPQ.

Grade combinations between 112 - 128 points considered when combined with other Level 3 qualifications including AS and Extended Project to achieve 112 - 128 points. (Subject grades achieved at AS level and then taken at A2 do not count).

Considered with a maximum of 3 other Level 3 qualifications to obtain 88 pts Preferred subjects:- Art and Design, Business and Economics, Construction and Built Environment, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, Languages, Land Based and Environment, Music, Performing Arts and Drama, Science Excluded subjects:- Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Early Years, Customer Service, Citizenship, Accounting, PE and Sport, Public Services and Uniformed Services, Travel & Tourism Applicants doing Media subjects will be considered on an individual basis by Admissions Tutor.

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Can be considered along with a minimum of 2 of the following qualifications: A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diplomas. Can also be considered in combination with a BTEC extended diploma, art and design foundation diploma or UAL extended diploma to obtain 88 pts Art and design, Business, Engineering, IT, Media, Performing Arts excluding Health and Social Care, Sport

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

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course.  Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based arts, humanities or social science subject, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

In a relevant subject/science (112 UCAS tariff points)

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus AB in two A Levels to include English. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the A Level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

with no subtest below 5.5

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Early Years, FdA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Early Years FdA

International £7500 year 1
EU £7500 year 1
England UK £7500 year 1
Northern Ireland £7500 year 1
Scotland £7500 year 1
Wales £7500 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Birmingham City University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Birmingham City University in related subject specific rankings.

Education

    • #32 
    • #39 
    Education
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #44 
    Education
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #48 
    • #501 
    Education
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

See all 17 university rankings of Birmingham City University

About Birmingham City University

Founded in 1853, Birmingham City University (BCU) is located in the city of Birmingham, England. The student population of this institution is made up of students from over 80 nationalities, which allows newly arrived foreign students to quickly feel welcome and at home. State-of-the-art facilities and resources await students on all courses, including the latest Engineering technology, 3D Printing studios, and Horology Workshops, just to name a few. BCU maintains a reputation for having a selective admissions process, so all applicants are recommended to prepare for their interview thoroughly.

List of 265 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birmingham City University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Birmingham City University

undergraduates:
20675
postgraduates:
5010
Total:
25685
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Where is this programme taught

South and City College Birmingham
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Early Years (Solihull College and University Centre) FdA Oxford Brookes University - - - £7570 £9900 - Oxford On campus Full-time
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