Full Time: 2 Years
This course enables you to develop the skills to progress in your career working with children, alongside your job.
It is aimed at early years and education practitioners who are working with children up to the age of 11 and requires you to attend for half a day (afternoon and evening) each week. You'll study through one of our partner colleges (see below).
This vocational award is a work-based course, and your assignments and lessons are all designed to benefit your professional development. You'll build upon your experience through modules in areas such as child development, safeguarding, creativity and critical thinking, and working in partnership with parents. College sessions include lectures, as well as tutorials and seminars. The course also incorporates a great deal of group work, which will be an opportunity to share experiences with fellow professionals working in a range of settings.
There is plenty of support available to help you get the most out of your course. You will be given an academic tutor who will have regular one-to-one meetings with you. You'll also nominate someone from within your own workplace, such as a manager or colleague, to become your mentor. Additionally, you'll benefit from small learning groups and access to facilities and support at your college and the University of Reading.
To apply for the course, please visit one of our partner colleges' websites:
Quick look entry requirements A Level N/A | IB N/A
What will you study?
How much will it cost?
How much will it cost?
New UK/EU students: £4625 per year
New international students: £16070 per year
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
Information on this page is based on 2018/19 figures and is likely to change slightly for 2019/20 entry. We will publish up-to-date information about 2019/20 entry as soon as it becomes available.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional Costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
What career can you have?
What career can you have?
This course aims to develop your reflective and analytical skills and increase your self-confidence. It will enable you to build on your experience as an early years care and/or education practitioner and develop new strategies for supporting children and working alongside colleagues and parents.
As a graduate you will be well-placed to take on increased responsibility within the workplace and move into management roles. You may also decide to study for further professional qualifications. For example, you could take a year-long top-up course (based on 1 day's attendance each week at the University of Reading) to turn your Foundation Degree into a BA. This will give you further opportunities for professional development, for example, gaining Early Years Teacher Status or Qualified Teacher Status.