September 2025

Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) Top-Up Degree

Undergraduate, Top-up Degree, September 2025

Key Details

  • X31A Course Code
  • 1 Years
Childhood Education and Care

Early childhood, the quality of education, provision and care, and the roles and responsibilities of all those involved with young children, parents and families together have a significant influence on children’s achievement and life chances. There is growing recognition that early childhood and children’s experiences must be supported by a highly qualified workforce.

The top up award is designed for Early Years Foundation Degree graduates or equivalent who ​already hold a relevant level 3 Early Years qualification, or a ​Foundation Degree classed as ‘Full and Relevant’ by the DfE, ​to enable them to progress to level 6 to achieve an Hons degree in Early Childhood Studies.

Modules run in parallel and require students to engage with a range of learning and teaching modes using e-learning as well as face-to-face contact with tutors.

This course is subject to revalidation.

 

Assessment is through a wide range of methods. These include essays, research reports, case studies, group and individual presentations and portfolios. Teaching and learning strategies include lectures, seminars, discussion and debate, presentations, guest speakers, workshops, an e-learning environment, visits and directed activities.

There are a wide range of career opportunities for graduates in the field of early years. This includes working in Children’s Centres, schools, nurseries, Social Services, Local Authority support teams, and charitable organisations. Early Childhood graduates have pursued Early Years Teacher Status or a teaching career via a PGCE to gain qualified teacher status (QTS).

Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.

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Entry Requirements

UK home students

Applicants should have 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 at Level 5, e.g. a relevant HND, a Foundation Degree in Early Years which is recognised as ‘Full and Relevant’ by the DfE, or a relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification.

The top up award is designed for Early Years Foundation Degree graduates or equivalent who ​already hold a relevant level 3 Early Years qualification, or a ​Foundation Degree classed as ‘Full and Relevant’ by the DfE, ​to enable them to progress to level 6 to achieve an Hons degree in Early Childhood Studies.

Please contact Admissions for confirmation of suitability of qualifications.

You will need a letter from your employer confirming you have current and valid enhanced DBS in place or you will require a new DBS if the letter can’t be provided. For more information on your DBS application please click here.

UK Applying Direct Option

You can apply direct to Newman University for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.

N.B. will need to enter ‘New User’ account details when first accessing this portal.

International students

If you are an international student, please get in touch with our International team who will be able to advise on entry criteria for this course. Email international@newman.ac.uk or telephone +441218160449.

International Applying Direct option

To apply for this course, you can apply direct using the apply link provided below:

Please note that courses with a professional placement are not available to International students.

Course Fees

UK home students

The full-time course fee, for UK home students, for September 2025 is £9,535 per year.

International students

The full-time course fees and funding, for International students, for September 2025 are:

  • Undergraduate Taught: £12,500 tuition fee
  • International Excellence Scholarship: £1,500

All International Students who apply in 2024/25 will be eligible for the International Excellence Scholarship which will be automatically applied to their offer as a tuition fee reduction.

Additional Costs

Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees.

The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

Modules

Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes or Module Changes page.

Timetables: find out when information is available to students