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Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year
University of Derby
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year course at University of Derby.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
D,D,D
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £5,760 per year (provisional) |
| Scotland | £5,760 per year (provisional) |
| Wales | £5,760 per year (provisional) |
| Northern Ireland | £5,760 per year (provisional) |
| Channel Islands | £5,760 per year (provisional) |
| EU | £16,900 per year (provisional) |
| International | £16,900 per year (provisional) |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: X311
Here's what University of Derby says about its Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year course.
Our foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Education at Derby has been ranked 2nd for teaching (National Student Survey 2025) and Top 5 for student voice (National Student Survey 2025).
In this Early Childhood Studies degree, you’ll explore how children develop, learn and think from birth to eight years, and gain the professional skills and knowledge you need to make a real difference to their lives.
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE? If you want to work in health, education or social care, Early Childhood Studies gives you an excellent start. Last year, over 98% of our graduates were in work or further study within six months of finishing. That’s in part due to the practical experience you’ll amass on this degree – for one or two days each week you’ll be on placement.
IS THIS COURSE FOR YOU? If you want to build up a thorough understanding of early childhood and gain practical experience to take into a range of early years’ settings (nurseries, children’s centres etc) then it’s definitely for you.
HOW YOU WILL LEARN As well as lectures, seminars and tutorials, you will be working with children on placement every week and learning through practice, observation and reflection.
CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY This Early Childhood Studies degree is recognised by the Department for Education and the industry, so it opens doors to roles in the independent, private, public or voluntary sectors. Alternatively, if you decide you’d like to train as a teacher after graduating from this course, you will be guaranteed an interview for our PGCE Primary, providing you meet the entry requirements.
RELATED COURSES BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Source: University of Derby
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Department
Institute of Education
Location
Main Site | Derby
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Childhood studies
Start date
September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of Derby reviews
Showing 306 reviews
3rd year
Forensic science
The student union care for the university and its students ensuring we are happy, healthy and thriving during our time in university. They put on events with freebies to boost morale as well.
9 months ago
3rd year
Forensic science
The halls and university are really close to the city so getting around is easy, especially with the university buses. The city is definitely a student friendly place with plenty of clubs and late night food places, as well as a variety of shops and other entertainment for those who aren’t into club...
9 months ago
3rd year
Forensic science
The university is definitely value for money and so are the halls. There is financial support available for those who need it and the union ensures that you still have fun even if you are on a strict budget by hosting free events on campus.
9 months ago
3rd year
Forensic science
The university and halls have a great support system which ensures you get the help you need quickly and from a diverse team of professionals.
9 months ago
3rd year
Forensic science
The facilities are very clean and up to standard for our labs and lectures. Any maintenance is quickly sorted as well.
9 months ago
3rd year
Forensic science
Forensics is an amazing course to study with a blended mix of lectures and labs, you are sure to have a broad knowledge about every main path of forensics. The staff are very knowledgeable and supportive and the sessions are action-packed and full of useful information. Labs are weekly and are criti...
9 months ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from University of Derby students who took the Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
96%
high
Teaching on my course
96%
high
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
98%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
100%
high
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
95%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
92%
med
Learning opportunities
96%
high
Learning opportunities
96%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
100%
high
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
95%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
95%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
98%
high
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
95%
high
Assessment and feedback
92%
med
Assessment and feedback
92%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
92%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
92%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
90%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
95%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
90%
med
Academic support
89%
med
Academic support
89%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
85%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
92%
med
Organisation and management
80%
low
Organisation and management
80%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
75%
low
How well organised is your course?
85%
med
Learning resources
94%
med
Learning resources
94%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
89%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
100%
high
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
95%
high
Student voice
86%
med
Student voice
86%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
77%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
95%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
87%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
85%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
100%
high
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
90%
med
Student information
See who's studying at University of Derby. These students are taking Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year or another course from the same subject area.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Psychology | B | |||||
| Biology | E | |||||
| Chemistry | D | |||||
| English Language | D | |||||
| English Literature | D | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
Facts and figures about University of Derby graduates who took Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.
Graduate statistics
50%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
86%
In work, study or other activity
80%
Say it fits with future plans
75%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
20%
Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
20%
Welfare and housing associate professionals
15%
Caring personal services
10%
Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Derby graduates who took Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£20.4k
First year after graduation
£25.2k
Third year after graduation
£28.1k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about University of Derby on The Student Room.
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