BA Early Learning and Childcare (Graduate Apprenticeship) at Queen Margaret University

Programme overview

The BA Early Learning and Childcare (Graduate Apprenticeship) is a two-year work-based degree that lets early years practitioners study for a degree while remaining employed, entering directly into Year Two with an HNC in Childhood Practice. Completion leads to registration at practitioner level in Day Care of Children Services with the Scottish Social Services Council.

Faculty: School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management | Department: Psychology, Sociology and Education | Duration: 2 years full time, work-based (entry directly into Year Two) | Intake: September 2027 | Study mode: full-time (graduate apprenticeship) | Location: Musselburgh (Edinburgh), Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year Two: Developing Your Academic Voice; Young Children's Rights and Early Learning in Context; Work-based Learning 1; Outdoor Spaces for Play and Learning in Early Years; Inclusion, Equity and Additional Support for Learning in Early Years; Work-based Learning 2. Year Three: Supporting Young Children's Holistic Development; Play-Based Pedagogy (numeracy and STEM; communication, language and literacy); Working Collaboratively to Support Young Children, Their Families and Communities; Work-based Learning 3 and 4.

Career pathways

Graduates are already employed and progress to roles with greater responsibility within practitioner-level registration; with further study, to managerial roles in the sector or related fields such as community learning and development, primary education, further and higher education, and research and policy.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must be employed in an early years setting with employer support and hold an HNC in Childhood Practice (or be due to complete it before the start); equivalent practice qualifications and relevant experience may be considered. Membership of the PVG Scheme is required. Eligibility: aged 16 or over; resident in Scotland for three years before starting; normally working in an early years setting in Scotland for at least 21 hours per week; right to work in Scotland. Applicants first complete the Register Your Interest form, may be interviewed, and the employer is contacted before a formal application. Minimum entry criteria apply to applicants meeting contextual factors.

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 2 years full time, work-based (entry directly into Year Two)

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