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Course overview
Studied at the NSCG Newcastle College campus, the Foundation Degree in Education (Early Childhood Studies) course is taught by experienced industry professionals and will provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the development and holistic nature of learning and supporting within the early years through work-based/college learning. The course will allow you to develop personal and transferable skills and enable you to make an immediate contribution within your working life. This will be achieved by studying a range of modules over the course.You will attend college one session per week; this is likely to be one afternoon or one evening. In addition, you will be required to undertake some study outside the classroom and attend occasional tutorials at times to fit around work commitments. In the third year the course will finish towards Easter.
Over the two and a half years, you will study specialist units that could include:
Level 4
Personal and professional development
Learning and holistic hevelopment
Safeguarding and developing educational practice
Supporting learning and inclusion
Level 5
Professionalism and career development - ECS focus
Planning for learning
Working with young children - guided research in Early Childhood Studies
Leadership and team working
What else do I need to know?
Please note there may be additional costs for books, materials or other expenses. Applicants will need to be working/ volunteering within the early years sector and a statement of support and commitment from the employer/mentor must be provided, which indicates the applicant’s potential to access and fulfil the full range of roles and responsibilities. Applicants should have undergone anenhanced disclosure check via the Disclosure and Barring Service in respect of your current role.
*The course fee is £4,960 in years 1 and 2 and £2,480 in year 3.
What are the entry requirements?
All applicants are individually interviewed and assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience.
However, you would normally:
• Demonstration of a clear Enhanced DBS check which confirms that there are no reasons why a candidate should not work with children
• Be in employment (either paid or voluntary) within an educational setting for at least four hours a week
• Have 64 UCAS points or hold an appropriate Level 3 with suitable work experience
• GCSE qualifications in English and Maths or demonstration of a level 2 competence.
• If English is not your first language you will be expected to have achieved an IELTS score of 6.0 or above
* Eligibility to be counted in the EYFS staff:child ratios at level 3 requires you to hold a relevant EY Level 3 qualification, which should be gained prior to studying this pathway.
However, you would normally:
• Demonstration of a clear Enhanced DBS check which confirms that there are no reasons why a candidate should not work with children
• Be in employment (either paid or voluntary) within an educational setting for at least four hours a week
• Have 64 UCAS points or hold an appropriate Level 3 with suitable work experience
• GCSE qualifications in English and Maths or demonstration of a level 2 competence.
• If English is not your first language you will be expected to have achieved an IELTS score of 6.0 or above
* Eligibility to be counted in the EYFS staff:child ratios at level 3 requires you to hold a relevant EY Level 3 qualification, which should be gained prior to studying this pathway.
How is it assessed?
You will be assessed mainly through course work; which is presented in a variety of styles which include essays, reports, presentations, and evaluated activity plans. You will be expected to relate your learning to your practice whenever possible. Work-based reflection and development forms a major part of the overall course content and assessment. Throughout the course, you will therefore engage in:
•Work-based tasks
•Creation of resources to support learning
•Reflection on organisational practice and practice of professionals
•Wider understanding of sector practice
•Work placement research.
Assessment
Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, case studies, portfolios, presentations and a final year independent project.
Feedback
You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.
Study time breakdown:
Year 1
10% of time in lectures, classroom or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in placements
Year 2
10% of time in lectures, classroom or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in placements
Year 3
10% of time in lectures, classroom or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in placements
Assessment breakdown:
Year 1
20% practical exams
80% coursework
0% written exams
Year 2
8% practical exams
92% coursework
0% written exams
Year 3
0% practical exams
100% coursework
0% written exams
•Work-based tasks
•Creation of resources to support learning
•Reflection on organisational practice and practice of professionals
•Wider understanding of sector practice
•Work placement research.
Assessment
Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, case studies, portfolios, presentations and a final year independent project.
Feedback
You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.
Study time breakdown:
Year 1
10% of time in lectures, classroom or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in placements
Year 2
10% of time in lectures, classroom or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in placements
Year 3
10% of time in lectures, classroom or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in placements
Assessment breakdown:
Year 1
20% practical exams
80% coursework
0% written exams
Year 2
8% practical exams
92% coursework
0% written exams
Year 3
0% practical exams
100% coursework
0% written exams
What financial support is on offer?
You can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or Higher Education Loan to help with the costs of your course if you are 19 or older and the course you are studying is an eligible Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 course.
What can I do next?
After successful completion of your foundation degree you will receive a graduation ceremony and could progress onto a ‘top-up’ degree in a related subject to achieve the full BA( hons) at the university or directly to a higher level within your career such as a leader, a learning support practitioner or manager.
How do I find out more?
For more information contact Amanda Garside by emailing amanda.garside@nscg.ac.uk
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