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Children and Young People's Care and Education

BA (Hons) (Top-Up)

Study Children and Young People's Care and Education at University Centre Leeds

Inspire young minds by supporting children and young people’s care and education. Our top-up degree will amplify your existing knowledge as you conduct a research project and apply core principles to your personal context. This qualification will take an existing foundation degree to a full BA (Hons).

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 1 year full-time | 18 months part-time
  • Venue: University Centre
  • Fee: £8,745 Full Time or £4,372 Part Time (per academic year for UK students)
     
    International Fee: £14,000 full-time (per academic year) £3,000 Scholarship available
  • UCAS Course Code(s): L525
  • UCAS Institution Code: L21
  • Study Mode: Full Time / Part Time
  • Validated By: This course is validated by The Open University.

Entry Requirements

TYPICAL OFFER

Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a foundation degree FD Early Years Care and Education or FD Supporting Teaching and Learning (with an average grade of 55% desirable to be reviewed during the interview).

HND: Pass grade in a relevant subject.

English GCSE: English Language grade 4 or above. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.

International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.

Mature applicants: We welcome applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.

*21 years and over at the start of the course

RPL Claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

Placements: Full-time learners should gain experience in a relevant setting, over the duration of the course. Part-time learners should be employed in a relevant setting, alongside their studies. In order to meet the learning outcomes students are recommended to undertake experience in a relevant setting. However, it is possible for learning outcomes to be met through a simulated environment. 

DBS checks: Learners will also be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service process (DBS).

Interview / Audition: All applicants will be interviewed to assess their suitability for this programme of study and may be asked to provide evidence to support their application. 

References: An appropriate reference is required. 

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Children and Young People's Care and Education

You’ll become a knowledgeable professional after completing our top-up degree. Building on your existing knowledge of care and education, you’ll observe external social and environmental factors, assessing how they can influence development and education. You’ll also personalise your studies by applying your newly acquired knowledge to your specialism.

Alongside continuing your work experience, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of care and education learning, about purposeful child-centred play, contemporary discourse, and the context of family. You’ll identify a personal area of interest which you’ll explore within your dissertation. 

Employability is a core focus of this course so full-time students undertake an integrated work placement gaining 10 to 12 hours a week of experience.

This course is validated by The Open University.

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How to Apply

If you would like to apply for to study full time, please do so via UCAS.

The institution code for University Centre Leeds is L21.

The application fee for applying through UCAS is £28.50, unless you are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).

Apply via UCAS

How to Apply:

  1. Register for an Account: Click the link below and use the "Create a New User" facility to register for an application account. An email will be sent to the address you provide, with a verification link.
  2. Verify Your Email: Click the verification link in the email to confirm your account.
  3. Complete Your Application: Once your account is created, you can start your application. You can save your progress and return to it later if needed. Your username will be the email address you used to register.

To access your account again and complete your application, use the second link provided in your verification email.

Apply Now: Direct Application Form

Need Help? For further information, please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk 

Please note, if you apply directly, we are required to submit a Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) application to UCAS on your behalf if your application is successful and you enrol.

If you're interested in applying to study part-time, these applications must be submitted directly through our website via the following link:

Part Time - Direct Application Form

If you are:

  • a current student with University Centre Leeds,
  • due to complete your Foundation Degree and
  • don't already have an application in UCAS for this cycle,

you can make an application directly to us for this course.

To make your application, use the below link and register for an application account via the Create a New User facility. You will then be sent an email to the email address you provided when registering for an account, on which you will need to click the link to verify your email address.

Once you have created an account, you will then be able to start and save your application, should you not be able to complete it all in one go. Please note that your username is the email address you provided when registering for an account.

To access your account again should you need to complete and submit your application form, simply use the second link provided in your verification email.

To register for an application account please use the following link and use the Create a New User facility:

Internal Students - Direct Application Form

For further information in regards to this please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk

Course Information

Modules may include

  • Contemporary Discourse
  • Purposeful Play
  • The Family in Contemporary Context
  • Research Methods
  • Dissertation

The course will enable students to develop their professional knowledge and skills and apply it to current practice.

Students develop skills in communicating topics and findings from research to a particular audience. Also they will develop confidence in sharing knowledge with their peers both in college and in the workplace.

The assessment process is an essential element of the programme design. Methods are varied to support and enhance the module design and structure. Some modules are linked to allow application of theory to practice to be assessed.

The tasks and assessment criteria are clearly explained to students in the module handbooks. Tutors explain these outcomes and methods to the students for clarity. Formative feedback is integral to the teaching, learning and assessment strategy of the course.

Students will take part in discussions, seminars and peer review and evaluations on an on-going basis. They are encouraged to share good practice from their work experience with their peers in group work, discussions and seminars. Assessment methods used include – Case studies, Work based projects, Essays, Reports, Presentations, Critical reflection and a Dissertation.

TYPICAL OFFER

Foundation Degree: Pass on the second year of a foundation degree FD Early Years Care and Education or FD Supporting Teaching and Learning (with an average grade of 55% desirable to be reviewed during the interview).

HND: Pass grade in a relevant subject.

English GCSE: English Language grade 4 or above. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.

IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.

International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.

Mature applicants: We welcome applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.

*21 years and over at the start of the course

RPL Claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

Placements: Full-time learners should gain experience in a relevant setting, over the duration of the course. Part-time learners should be employed in a relevant setting, alongside their studies. In order to meet the learning outcomes students are recommended to undertake experience in a relevant setting. However, it is possible for learning outcomes to be met through a simulated environment. 

DBS checks: Learners will also be required to complete the Disclosure and Barring Service process (DBS).

Interview / Audition: All applicants will be interviewed to assess their suitability for this programme of study and may be asked to provide evidence to support their application. 

References: An appropriate reference is required. 

Progression may include a PGCE or an in-service teacher training programme. Graduates can also apply to other institutions to do a relevant masters degree, or enter employment.

Job opportunities

  • Community playworker
  • Children’s centre manager
  • Primary/Secondary School teacher (further qualifications required)
  • Management positions
  • Working in Special Inclusive Learning Centres (SILCS)
  • Supporting teaching and learning in academies and colleges.

For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.

For the latest version of the course handbook for this course please click here.

For last years version of the course handbook for this course please click here.

For the latest version of The Open University regulations please click here.

As part of this course, you will be required to have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and will be expected to pay any fees associated with this. Fees are estimated to be around £60.


Information for International Students

Applications are open for 2025 entry.

To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please see the direct apply link further up this page or visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.

You can also apply through UCAS.

For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.

Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)

Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.

For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.

Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student

International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.

  • 1 hour cultural studies
  • 2 hours academic study skills
  • 2 hours English studies

For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.

Unistats

Full Time

Part Time


 

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