BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year is an undergraduate early childhood studies degree focused on child development, family support, and educational practices. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. This four-year course includes an initial full-time foundation year to build academic confidence, followed by progression into the undergraduate degree, and offers students the chance to work towards the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Certificate through assessed placement tasks and observations. The foundation year introduces academic competencies through modules such as Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence, Philosophy and Ethics in Society, Introduction to Children and Families, and Introduction to Education: Learning and Teaching. Year one examines foundational concepts through Child Development, Play and Early Learning, Safeguarding and Child Protection, Health, Care and Wellbeing in the Early Years, and Academic Skills, Personal and Professional Development. Year two advances into broader professional contexts via Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Educational Practice, Creative Pedagogical Approaches, Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice, Sustainability through Early Years Leadership, and Professional Placement. The final year consolidates prior learning through advanced study modules including Mental Health in the 21st Century, Professional Learning Through Work, Critical Issues in the Lives and Education of Young Children, Therapeutic Interventions with Children and Families, and a final-year Research Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 48 UCAS tariff points Applications are welcome from mature students with few formal qualifications. Any previous relevant work experience and learning will be assessed and, where appropriate, we may offer an alternative way to assess suitability to study. This course is not available to students on a Student Route Visa.
What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 100%
- Assessment and feedback: 98%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 100%
- Learning resources: 100%
- Student voice: 97%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 40%
- Left higher education: 60%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals: 25%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 40 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 10%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 75%
- East of England: 5%
- South East: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence
- Philosophy and Ethics in Society
- Introduction to Children and Families
- Introduction to Education: Learning and Teaching
- Child Development
- Play and Early Learning
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Health, Care and Wellbeing in the Early Years
- Academic Skills, Personal and Professional Development
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Educational Practice
- Creative Pedagogical Approaches
- Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice
- Sustainability through Early Years Leadership
- Professional Placement
- Mental Health in the 21st Century
- Professional Learning Through Work
- Critical Issues in the Lives and Education of Young Children
- Therapeutic Interventions with Children and Families
- Research Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Leeds Trinity University earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,000 and £29,000. The £23,500 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Childhood and youth studies.
What do graduates of BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Leeds Trinity University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Leeds Trinity University?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Leeds Trinity University?
The average entrant had 43 UCAS points.
Does BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Leeds Trinity University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year at Leeds Trinity University?
40% of students continued into their second year, and 60% left higher education.