Childrens Care, Learning and Development (Progression Route)

Description

These courses are work-based and designed to encourage experienced practitioners employed in the sector (working with children from birth to twelve years of age) to access higher education for simultaneous development of academic and experiential learning.

As these are employment-based learning courses, students will require the support of their employer to successfully complete the qualification. Students need a mentor in the workplace to support them with their studies. These courses emphasise multi-agency working, helping to create a workforce committed to joint working and improving standards of care for children.

For those students who successfully complete the Foundation degree, and who are interested in progressing their studies within the field of children's care and learning, a place on the Progression Year is guaranteed.

Future employment opportunities exist in schools, children's centres, playgroups, nurseries, social care and voluntary organisations.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 9550 Year (EEA)
• EUR 12530 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU Fees Students starting at UCS from September 2012 will be charged £8000 for a full-time Bachelors degree or £7500 for a full-time Foundation degree. Tuition fees for full-time International Study: Classroom-based 10,500 GBP (£) Laboratory-based 12,600 GBP (£)

• English

Course Content

The areas of study include early years, care and education, children's services and play work.

This course is designed with the child care practitioner in mind. It has been shaped to combine studying while working in a busy childcare setting. At UCS Ipswich for example full-time first year Foundation degree students attend classes on Tuesday afternoons and evenings during school term time and part-time students on Tuesday evenings. This enables students to earn while they learn and maximise the amount of time spent at work. Second year Foundation degree students attend classes at UCS Ipswich on Thursdays.

Some modules have adopted a blended learning approach where students can access part of the module via the virtual learning environment supported by face-to-face group tutorial sessions.

Modules studied include:

• Personal Development
• Safeguarding Children
• Childrens Development
• Diversity and Rights
• Reflective Practice
• Collaborative Working
• Research for Continuing Professional Development
• Play and Wellbeing

The first year of study begins with a module entitled Personal Development which encourages students to reflect on their strengths and areas for further development. This is followed by modules such as Child Development, Safeguarding Children and Diversity and Rights which are centred very much on the child and adopt a child-centred philosophy. Finally students are required to reflect on their learning and progression by actively participating in a module called Reflective Practice.Students need to be highly motivated and well organised to time manage the demands of this programme.

The course makes strong links between theory and practice and as such, there are work based tasks that should be completed within their setting in order to underpin the theoretical aspects of the programme. All the modules are closely linked to the Childrens Workforce Development Council and parallel Every Child Matters.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 75(Grade B) TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test : 79

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

English language requirements

All students need to be able to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English. Students whose first language is not English will need to take a recognised English Language test in advance of commencing a course at UCS and before the Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) letter is issued for visa purposes.
UCS accepts a range of English qualifications, with the following standards required:

IELTS (academic version): 6.0 for all degrees, apart from Diagnostic Radiography,Radiotherapy and Oncology, ODP and all Pre-Registration Nursing and Midwifery courses that require 7.0. Postgraduate courses generally require between 6.5 and 7.0.
TOEFL: 550 on paper-based test; 213 on computer-based test; or 79-80 on the internet-based test for all degrees
Pearson Test of English Academic - Minimum score of 50 is required
Cambridge Proficiency Certificate: Grade C; Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: Grade B
GCE O-level or GCSE English Language/Use of English: Grade C
Test in English for Educational Purposes (TEEP) International Baccalaureate English Grade B (standard level).
Hong Kong Certificate of English Education

Typical Offer:

BA (Hons): A Foundation degree (or equivalent)

Subject to satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau check.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.