FdA Children's and Young People's Services

Why choose this course?

  • The course enables those already working with children and young people aged 0–19 to further develop their knowledge, skills and understanding.
  • We've developed this part time course with employers in the sector, so it's relevant and up to date, and you'll develop the key skills and knowledge they're looking for.
  • In the 2012 National Students Survey, 98% of our students said that they were satisfied with the quality of the course overall.
  • You can choose a specialist pathway relevant to your area of work: Early Years or Teaching Assistant.

Please note that you will study this course at one of these colleges:

  • Vision West Nottinghamshire College
  • Loughborough College
  • Central College Nottingham
  • Leek College
  • Chesterfield College
  • Derby College
  • Stephenson College

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Fact file

Start date: September and January

Course length: Three to five years part time

Campus: Vision West Nottinghamshire College; Loughborough College; Central College Nottingham; Leek College; Chesterfield College; Derby College; or Stephenson College.

Faculty: Education, Health and Science

About this course

We’ve developed this course with employers in the sector. We’ll help you to become a more confident, knowledgeable and effective practitioner working with children, young people and their families. You will need to be working in the sector two days per week or have a relevant vocational level 3 qualification and be doing two days voluntary work in the sector.

A foundation degree in our early years pathway is considered full and relevant for the purposes of registration and regulation for the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). This means that if you hold this qualification you can count in the qualified ratio of staff at level 3. 

You'll study core and pathway (option) modules and you'll select one of the following pathways to specialise in the area you work.

  • Early Years
  • Teaching Assistant

You'll be able to reflect on your practice and enhance this through the theory you learn. Your work setting is used for work-based projects, activities and research so everything you study will be relevant to your everyday work. You'll also have the support of a work-based Mentor at your workplace, plus the support of tutors at the University.

The course is flexible to suit you, you can study during the day, in the evening and at weekend study days, although some routes require you to attend specific days for specialised lectures. You'll study a mixture of theory and practical work.

What you will cover

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements are usually 80 UCAS points from A levels or equivalent qualifications, such as a BTEC National Diploma, Scottish Highers etc. If you've completed an Access/Foundation course, we also accept these qualifications.

You should already be working in the sector for two days per week, or have a relevant vocational level 3 qualification, and be doing two days voluntary work in the sector.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university. You'll need to come in for an interview, before we can make an offer.

How to apply

Fees and finance

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

  • £965 per module (you usually take 12 of these modules in total)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

How you will learn

You will learn through reflective tasks, presentations, tutorials and online resources. Your work-based projects, activities and research mean everything you study will be relevant and allow you to link theory to practice. You will also be supported by a mentor at your workplace and the tutors at the University.

How you're assessed

There are no exams, so you will be assessed using your work-based activities, creative presentations, essays, discussion papers, case studies and portfolios.

Careers and employability

There's a growing demand for highly qualified practitioners working in children's and young people's services, so you'll be well placed to get a job when you graduate. You'll have the knowledge, understanding and professional skills to progress in your practice and make an impact on service provision.

After completing this course you'll have the opportunity to progress on to Stage 3 of an honours degree, either a taught course or through a work-based online course. You can then progress on to other professional courses such as the Early Years Teacher or take an initial teacher training qualification.

In recent years many of our graduates have:

What our students say

Katie Wells, one of our current students comments about the course:
"The tutors offer endless support over the phone, via email and in tutorials. They are always encouraging and motivating."

Contact details

Kulsoom Rehman

T: +44 (0)1332 591703

If you are a UK or EU student, contact us

T: +44 (0)1332 591167
F: +44 (0)1332 597724
E: askadmissions@derby.ac.uk

UK/EU course enquiry

Where will I study?

Vision West Nottinghamshire College; Loughborough College; Central College Nottingham; Leek College; Chesterfield College; Derby College; or Stephenson College.