BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up) at University of Derby

Programme overview

If you already work in an early childhood setting and hold a Level 5 qualification, this course allows you to top up to a full BA (Hons) degree with one or two years of online study. This course will deepen your knowledge of early childhood studies to meet the demands of integrated care and education for children from birth. An online top-up degree is ideal if you currently juggle work and family commitments.

Department: Education | Duration: Part-time: 1-2 years | Study mode: online (part-time) | Intake: September | Location: Derby, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Stage 1 core modules: Creative Pedagogies, Children in Transition: Identity, Belonging and Advocacy, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Early Childhood, Professional Identities for Critical Practice and Leadership, Independent Research Project.

Career pathways

This course is ideal for anyone currently working with children across health, education and social care, or anyone interested in early childhood as an academic discipline. It is suitable for those wishing to broaden their skills and career by taking additional qualifications.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

You’ll need: 240 credits from a recognised qualification such as a Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma, or equivalent international qualification (consisting of 120 credits at level 4 and 120 credits at level 5) in a relevant subject area; Alternatively, if you hold other relevant Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications in a relevant subject field, together with significant professional work experience in this field, we may consider your application on an individual basis. In assessing applications, we look for evidence that applicants are academically prepared to succeed at Level 6 study.; If you do not quite meet the entry criteria, we may be able to offer you a place on a 20-credit bridging module called Certificate of Credit in Preparing to Study at Level 6 (Education, Childhood and SEND) to support your progression onto this Top Up degree. Certificate of Credit in Preparing to Study at Level 6 (Education, Childhood and SEND) is a level 5 access route which, if successfully completed, can enable you to gain entry onto the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Top Up degree

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,730 for the whole programme (2025/26). Total course fee for online study; same fee for UK/EU/international students Source

International applicants: GBP 5,730 for the whole programme (2025/26). Total course fee for online study; same fee for UK/EU/international students Source

Intake: September

Duration: Part-time: 1-2 years

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