At Worcester, we prepare you for this rewarding career through a mix of interactive seminars, group workshops and placements. This course is designed to be flexible around your commitments and can be studied full or part-time through blended online learning, or at several partner institutions.
in the UK for Quality Education
for primary and secondary teacher training
Overview
As a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ), this course has been designed with employers in mind. Our Early Years Foundation Degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need for a rewarding career within the early years sector.
During this degree, you'll learn the skills and knowledge needed to care for and teach children, both in the UK and around the world. Your assignments are designed to help you see things from different perspectives and develop important skills by connecting what you learn in class to real-life situations.
Originally founded as a Teacher Training college in 1946, we have a long and proud history of training teachers. We can offer you the support of knowledgeable and child-centred lecturers and an exceptional learning environment, where the happiness and well-being of children comes first.
Professional Practice pathway
This pathway will ensure you meet the Early Years Educator (EYE) standards and achieve 'Full and Relevant' status with the DfE by the end of the course, which means you can be included in staff-to-child ratios within Ofsted registered settings.
Early Years pathway
If you already have a ‘Full and Relevant’ Level 3 qualification, this pathway will enable you to further develop your skills and experience within early years or to progress to a teaching career.
Location of study
This course is designed to be flexible around your commitments. You can choose to study full-time or part time at one of our partner colleges, or through Flexible and Distributed Learning at Worcester.
The Flexible and Distributed Learning option is perfect if you find it hard to attend regular classes. It lets you study online and meet face-to-face at the University of Worcester on Saturdays, eight times a year. This way, you can balance your studies with your other responsibilities and still get the support you need.
Placements
Work-based learning is central to this course, with recent placement opportunities including schools, nurseries, community groups and family support teams. Practical learning will be supported through a mixture of directed tasks, including a reflective journal.
You’ll complete a minimum of 770 hours of practice placements over the two years. If you’re already employed in the Early Years sector these placement hours can be carried out in your workplace, meaning you can continue to earn as you progress through the degree.
Graduate stories
Jennie Hurdiss
Before enrolling at the University of Worcester, I worked as a level three practitioner for six years in an Early Years setting. Although I always had aspired to expand my studies at university, fear of the unknown held me back. However, in the summer of 2022, I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. The flexible course structure was perfect for me as a working mum and a major selling point.
One of the most amazing things I gained from the Early Years course is the confidence to express my ideas in practice and implement changes to improve children’s opportunities. The course also gave a great insight into other job roles and how they are supportive for Early Years. I would recommend the course to anybody with a passion for Early Years looking to upskill.
Caroline James
This course has given me the confidence and knowledge to support or even question my practice. To begin with I dreaded the face-to-face sessions, as I was somewhat shy, until I found out that people were my favourite part of the course, and I made true friends. Sharing information from a range of settings has been fascinating. The new information and discussions you gain on this course are inspirational.
I am now progressing onto the BA(Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families Top up degree, which I never thought would be within my reach. After this, I do not have a career plan, but I am just enjoying the learning journey.
Bradley Layton
Bradley studied the FdA Early Years (0-8 years) Professional practice, Flexible and Distributed Learning.
“I worked in hospitality for over five years, but when lockdown hit, it got me to reconsider what I wanted to do with my career. I had previous experience working with children and managed to find this course that would allow me to work around my work schedule.”
“I hope to become a primary school teacher as I am hoping to complete my top-up course to give me an undergraduate degree which will get me one step closer to achieving my goals.”
“I found the psychology behind working with children very interesting. I am often very anxious of how people perceive me so having the knowledge has helped me to develop my morale compass when it comes to being a practitioner. I started this course having very little knowledge or experience of working with children but having the knowledge from university and experiences in placement have really helped me to get closer to achieving my goals.”
Jennie Hurdiss
Before enrolling at the University of Worcester, I worked as a level three practitioner for six years in an Early Years setting. Although I always had aspired to expand my studies at university, fear of the unknown held me back. However, in the summer of 2022, I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. The flexible course structure was perfect for me as a working mum and a major selling point.
One of the most amazing things I gained from the Early Years course is the confidence to express my ideas in practice and implement changes to improve children’s opportunities. The course also gave a great insight into other job roles and how they are supportive for Early Years. I would recommend the course to anybody with a passion for Early Years looking to upskill.
Caroline James
This course has given me the confidence and knowledge to support or even question my practice. To begin with I dreaded the face-to-face sessions, as I was somewhat shy, until I found out that people were my favourite part of the course, and I made true friends. Sharing information from a range of settings has been fascinating. The new information and discussions you gain on this course are inspirational.
I am now progressing onto the BA(Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families Top up degree, which I never thought would be within my reach. After this, I do not have a career plan, but I am just enjoying the learning journey.
Course content
The Flexible and Distributed Learning option is taught through blended online learning which means that during a normal week, you can take part in learning activities at a time that suits you. You’ll be supported through eight face-to-face sessions at the University of Worcester on Saturdays.
This course is informed by the latest research and feedback from students, staff, and placement schools. Modules do sometimes change to reflect this. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered on the course.
Careers
This course will support you in pursuing a range of careers that positively impact the lives of young children and their families. Recent graduates have gone on to work in areas such as primary teaching, family support work, social work, play therapy, speech and language support, and Ofsted inspection.
As you explore the different strands of the Early Years sector and the opportunities available, we’ll support you in developing the professional skills needed for a successful future career. As a University of Worcester student, you’ll have access to our Careers and Employability services, regardless of what partner institution you choose to study with. Our team can support you with career planning, CV and cover letter advice and application guidance.
Our annual Student Conference is also a great forum for learning about progression and career opportunities, as well as a chance to network with fellow practitioners and local employers.
Our Early Years Foundation Degree could be the first step towards your career as a:
- Early years educator
- Higher level teaching assistant
- Early years manager
- Family support worker
- Play development worker
- Inclusion mentor
- Charity support worker
- Parenting support worker
- Early years improvement advisor
Opportunities to progress
You can top up your foundation to a bachelor's degree with our Integrated Working with Children and Families BA Top Up. If you’re pursuing a career in teaching, our Teaching in Primary Education (with QTS) BA Top Up can take you from level 5 to Qualified Teacher Status in just 16 months.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.
Teaching and assessment contents
You will be taught through a range of learning and teaching strategies, including:
- Tutor led information via lecture format
- Self-directed independent study
- Online learning activities
- Group discussions
- Workshops – whole, small group, paired work and discussion
- Content analysis of relevant materials – audio visual and text based sources
- Peer learning group activities
- Use of visual, auditory and physical technologies and support mechanisms
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 32
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | C |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | PPP |
Additional entry requirements for this course
- A minimum of four GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above, including English Language or Literature and Mathematics (if you do not have the required GCSE grades or Level 2 equivalent.
- A minimum of 1 A-level or an equivalent Level 3 qualification, for example the CACHE Diploma or Edexcel BTEC National Diploma in Children & Care, Learning and Development
- Holding a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Passing our prohibition list and criminal record checks
- If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required
Level 2 Equivalency
- We can offer an equivalency test if you don’t have the required GCSE grade or Level 2 equivalent to apply for the FdA Early Years
- If you do not already hold a GCSE or level 2 qualification equivalent in English and/or Maths qualification, you must also must present evidence of this before the end of Level 4 to remain on this course pathway, to achieve the DfE ‘full and relevant’ status. The DfE have a published list of acceptable Level 2 qualifications
Mature students
If you will be over the age of 21 at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you are considered a mature student. At Worcester this means our offer may be different, taking into account any work or life experiences you have, alongside any qualifications you hold.
If you’re unsure whether you meet certain requirements you can email our admission team admissions@worc.ac.uk or contact the course Admissions Tutor.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year for new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Full-time applications
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.
Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.
Early Years (0-8) - X312Early Years (0-8) (Professional Practice) - X313Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Samantha Sutton-Tsang
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for FdA Early Years (Flexible and Distributed Learning)
s.sutton-tsang@worc.ac.ukAdmissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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