Plymouth Marjon University
Early Years FdA
Plymouth Marjon University

Key Course Facts

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26038 £21725 £23450
25-75 percentile range £23154 - £29846 £14687 - £27575 £17750 - £32250

Course Description

This two-year Foundation degree is designed for people working or volunteering in educational settings who want to explore their potential. You’ll learn through flexible study, attending University 22 days a year and working (or volunteering) for at least 10 hours per week in an educational setting. On-line material supports your independent study time.

This foundation degree is focused on those significant early years of childhood and will help you to understand the theories underpinning practice. You’ll develop a theoretical understanding of how children develop and learn, using your experience as a starting point. You’ll gain insights which will help you to have a more positive impact on the children and families you work with.

You’ll explore how government policy impacts on the lived experience of children and families, as well as practice in early years settings. You will be encouraged to become more aware of the values which motivate you, and to consider how we can best prepare children for their future in a complex and unpredictable world. From start to finish, you’ll be challenged and inspired in equal measure.

Why this course at Marjon?

  • Study at a university which excels in helping you to fulfil your potential and particularly welcomes mature students.
  • Designed for working people, with a close-knit support group of fellow students.
  • Two-day induction so you can get to know other students and get ready for study.
  • Expand your professional network and advance your career.

What might I become?

You may view this as a stepping-stone to becoming a fully qualified teacher; many students progress into the final year of an honours degree and then into postgraduate teaching programmes such as School Direct, PGCE or Early Years Initial Teacher Training. These degrees on their own also offer great scope for career development, with students progressing into leadership and management roles within current settings, or taking on specific highly skilled roles such as SENCO. Early years settings are known to benefit greatly from having staff who have studied at this level.

Find out more at Open Day

Open Day is your opportunity to find out more about studying Early Years at Marjon. You’ll meet lecturers and find out why we are ranked second in the UK for teaching quality*. Our student life talks will help you prepare to go to university, covering topics such as careers, funding, sport and our award winning on-campus student support service. You can also take a tour of the campus with a current student and find out about the student-led clubs and societies.

Why study at Marjon?

  • First-class facilities used by world-class athletes
  • Small, person-focused university with a big personality
  • No.1 university in England for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2023)
  • Southwest University of the Year for Student Life and Student Support (WhatUni Student Choice Award 2022)
  • No.3 university in England for Learning Community (National Student Survey 2022)

Grading & Study Time

There are no exams involved. Assessment includes reports and essays, building on-line portfolios, presentations and designing interventions for your own workplace.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

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

EU £6000 year 1
England UK £6000 year 1
Northern Ireland £6000 year 1
Scotland £6000 year 1
Wales £6000 year 1
Channel Islands £6000 year 1

Additional fee information

This course is not open to international applicants

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)
  • year 2

University Rankings

Positions of Plymouth Marjon University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 5 university rankings of Plymouth Marjon University

About Plymouth Marjon University

Plymouth Marjon University, usually abbreviated to Marjon, is the trading name of the University of St Mark and St John. Based in a single campus several miles north of Plymouth city centre, next to Derriford Hospital, Marjon delivers courses and programs from two faculties: Faculty of Education, and Enterprise & Culture and Faculty of Sport, Health & Wellbeing.

List of 55 Bachelor and Master Courses from Plymouth Marjon University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Plymouth Marjon University

undergraduates:
2085
postgraduates:
415
Total:
2500
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Where is this programme taught

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