Early Years, BA Hons (Top-up)
A practical early years course with a work placement twice a week, as well as visits to forest schools/outdoor learning centres and the opportunity to graduate with Early Years Teacher Status.
This early years degree will give you an understanding of the core values of the early years workforce. You will study cognition, health and wellbeing, review practice and policy, and learn the importance of encouraging a child's development in partnership with their family.
Our specialist facilities include a simulated early years nursery, so academic lessons are practical and realistic. You will be on placement twice a week in an early years setting and have the option to graduate with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) and Graduate practitioner Award (0-8 years practice qualification at level 6.
UCAS points
104 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
X314 G BA/EYEd
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School
Location
Duration
- 1 years full-time
- 2 years part-time
Start month
September
Home/international fees 2023/24
What you should know about this course
What you will study

Rebecca D.S. Bolan
Senior Lecturer, Early Years

Jill Harrison
Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader
About the course team
We are an experienced team of academics and industry professionals. Trained postgraduate researchers may also contribute to seminar teaching with latest research insight. Our teaching is informed by research and consultancy work, and 97 per cent of our faculty lecturers hold a teaching qualification.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
If you are
Students coming into the top up course (third year) must hold a recognised early years/health and social care/early childhood foundation degree with a grade average of 55%, or a relevant HND at Merit Level, or an undergraduate degree in another discipline, and have relevant experience within the early years workforce.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.
Further information about entry
Candidates will be required to:
- Attend a Selection Day
- A Suitability Declaration, Occupational Health Screening and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is also required.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
Class sizes vary by module. Lectures are normally attended by larger groups, and seminars/tutorials by smaller groups. This can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees. All students will have opportunities for 1-to-1 time with their tutors.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate around 30 hours a week to self-study. This may involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, and preparing for tests and exams. Our facilities are designed to support you in these activities.
We encourage you to join societies and participate in sporting and other activities to engage in the wider life of the university community.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Each module you study towards this degree is worth 15 or 30 credits. These represent around 150 or 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 100 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 200 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assignments and to release examination results within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2023/24 fees
Full-time (per year) | Part-time | |
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View fees |
Fees are assessed based on your country of domicile, with students domiciled in the EU charged international fees. If you are unsure, find out more about how your fee status is assessed.
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from just over £100 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive. EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Other costs
Further costs may include (but are not limited to):
- Resources: you may need to purchase books for your studies or resources to support your study (estimate, £100 per year)
- Field trips: you may need to contribute towards any trips required for your course (estimate, £50)
- DBS: You will need a completed enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (current cost is £53) carried out through the University if you do the early years teachers status or graduate practitioner award.
- Training: You may wish to complete the food handlers/food hygiene certificate (current cost is under £15)
- Transport: You will need to pay for the cost of travel to placements.
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
If you do the Early Years Teachers Status or the Graduate practitioner award alongside your degree, you will need experience with babies, Toddlers and the older child and may need placements to achieve this.
Do you provide employability services?
Our Employability & Careers Service (ECS) is committed to supporting our students and recent graduates in their transition towards a rewarding graduate destination. We aim to empower our students to achieve their potential, with support including:
- CV and cover letter checks
- Application support
- One-to-one careers advice
- Interview tips and support
- Careers fairs
- Internships
- Graduate jobs.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Support from the department
Our friendly and supportive staff are committed to supporting you during your studies.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
Early years studies at the University of Greenwich
Study how young children develop, learn and think, and find out how to give them the best start in education. You’ll gain an array of practical skills, both on placement and in the classroom.
Visit our early years studies degrees page.
Early years studies degrees
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020 8331 9000• Live chat• courseinfo@gre.ac.uk•More information