Top-up · January, September intake

Childhood and Education Studies BA (Hons) Top-up (Online)

The final year of an honours degree in childhood and education, studied online and part time over one year, for students who already hold an HND or a foundation degree.

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Tuition per year £6,950
Duration
1 year part time (3 semesters)Part time
Award
BA
Intake
January, September

Figures checked 5 November 2026 Ask us to confirm them for your course

Overview

Childhood and Education Studies BA (Hons) Top-up (Online) is the final year of an honours degree, taught online by the Department of Education at University College Birmingham. It is for students who have already studied a relevant subject to Level 5, such as an HND or a foundation degree in early years or childcare, and want to complete a full bachelor's degree.

It runs for one year part time, over three semesters, with intakes in September and January. Teaching is online, through web-based resources, simulated activities and discussion boards, with module staff, a personal tutor and a dissertation supervisor throughout, so it can be studied alongside full-time or part-time work.

The year covers children's psycho-social, physical, emotional and cognitive needs, the legal frameworks and social trends around childhood, and communication skills for working with children and families. Assessment is by coursework only, with no written exams, and the dissertation is on a topic each student chooses.

It leads to graduate roles in education and childcare, and to postgraduate study.

Curriculum

One of the three optional modules is chosen.

One of the three optional modules is chosen.

One of the three optional modules is chosen.

Entry requirements

Academic
A relevant HND or foundation degree in Early Years, Childcare or Advanced Practice with Children and Families, with 240 credits, plus GCSE or IGCSE English Language at grade C or 4 or above, or equivalent. An HND or foundation degree in an unrelated subject is considered alongside significant work experience in the education sector. An OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Early Childhood Education is also accepted.

Careers opportunities

This does not by itself qualify you to teach in a school, and the destinations sit in the early years sector, family services and policy instead. A graduate practitioner competency pathway on the course makes a real difference to what you can do with it.

Roles graduates go into

  • Early years practitioner or manager
  • Family support worker
  • Nursery or setting leader
  • Early years adviser
  • Play or child development specialist
  • Policy and research assistant

Where they work

  • Nurseries and early years settings
  • Local authority children's services
  • Charities and family support organisations
  • Schools in nursery and reception provision
  • Research and policy bodies
After the course

Early Years Teacher Status or a PGCE if you want to teach, and both are taken after this degree rather than as part of it.

Fees and funding

Tuition, international students£6,950

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Where you will study

University College Birmingham

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Level
Undergraduate
Award
BA
Duration
1 Year (Full Time) / 2 Years (Part-time)
Study mode
Full time
IELTS
6.0
Next intake
January, May, September

EntryA high school diploma with strong grades in relevant subjects. Many departments will also consider a recognised foundation

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