Early Childhood Studies Top-up BA (Hons)

**Course snapshot**Do you have knowledge of working with young children and their families? Want a career helping to shape the foundations for the future of the next generation? Our Early Childhood Studies top-up degree course builds upon your existing training for the early years sector and will help you become a highly qualified graduate practitioner ready to enter a rewarding career in this field. Enhance your existing knowledge of characteristics of childhood and issues around development, supported by a range of optional modules and an in-depth research project, as well as boosting your real-world experience on a placement embedded within your course.**Who's the course for?**This top-up course is designed for anyone who has previously studied a relevant subject (up to Level 5), enabling you to pursue a range of careers within areas including early years, social work or mentoring. Our course also provides a route for potential progression onto PGCE study if you wish to become a teacher.**Why should I study this course?**- **WORK PLACEMENT** – Gain invaluable experience working in a real-life setting on a work placement as part of your top-up course- **IN-DEPTH RESEARCH** – Carry out your own research project on a topic that you are passionate about and is relevant to your professional aspirations- **SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES** – Choose from a variety of optional modules, including Children's Voice and Pedagogical Leadership in Play- **ENRICHMENT** – Boost your employability with exciting enrichment opportunities as well as additional qualifications including Paediatric First Aid and Food and Hygiene**Great! Tell me more**Our BA Early Childhood Studies top-up course includes a mandatory requirement of 200 hours on placement, with the setting determined by your eventual career choice. Past students have worked with a range of employers including local schools, pre-schools and nurseries.To support your employability, a Paediatric First Aid and a Food and Hygiene certificate will be offered as part of your degree course. University College Birmingham will fund these requirements for all students. A variety of other enrichment opportunities will also be offered to further widen your skills and knowledge base in support of your future career and study aspirations.**What skills will I gain?**You will further enhance your understanding of childhood, development and growth as well as creating new learning opportunities. You will also learn more about themes of leadership and management and key competencies for the early years' workforce.By undertaking a work placement, you will build vital real-life experience relevant to your chosen career, as well as boosting your confidence and practical skills.**What about the future?**Completing this top-up course will pave the way for you to enter a variety of careers, including roles such as:- Family support worker- Mental health nurse- Social worker- Learning mentor- Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)You could also progress onto our PGCE Primary Education QTS course, enabling you to move into primary school teaching.Alternatively, you could continue your studies on another postgraduate course, such as our Educational Leadership MA/PGDip at University College Birmingham.