Early Learning and Childcare (top up one-year honours) BA (Hons)

Course code X312

What is special about this course?

Are you passionate about improving children's lives? Have you completed the BA Early Learning and Childcare (Graduate Apprenticeship)? Do you want to shape the early years of learning in Scotland and develop better practices in all areas of the childcare sector? 

This is the only course of its kind and is unique in its structure and delivery, offering an additional honours year on top of the 3-year BA Graduate Apprenticeship, for accreditation at SCQF 10 and allowing progression on to postgraduate studies within UHI or other locations.

The Scottish Government have outlined an ambition to make Scotland the best place for a child to grow up. They understand that providing the highest quality of childcare and learning from the very beginning is key to laying strong foundations for future generations, and that childcare practitioners are pivotal to the success of that vision. 

This course is designed to support the provision of high-quality childcare and early learning.

Special features

  • UHI are the only university offering Honours level study for BA Early Learning and Childcare (Graduate Apprenticeship)
  • Can be studied from anywhere in the UK

Entry requirements

Year 1 - BA (Hons)

Core modules are:

  • Dissertation
  • Personal and professional reflection
  • Professional reflection
  • Globalised view of childcare

You will also study:

  • Developmental disorders
  • Child and adolescent mental health

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
  • You will be taught by a combination of online tutorials and workshops, which will be contextualised to your practice; you will be supported by a mentor, with evidence from the workplace used in assessment

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1 years @ 35 hours per week
  • Part-time (structured): 2 years @ 17.5 hours per week
  • Part-time (unstructured): up to 3 years

Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.

Where can I study my course?

  • Argyll
  • Inverness
  • Moray
  • North, West and Hebrides
  • Orkney
  • Perth
  • Shetland

This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the UK. You will be enrolled and supported by staff at your chosen location.

Start date

  • September

Fees

Find out more about fees, fee waivers and funding options.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed this course, you may pursue a career as a Practitioner in the childhood and early years sector.

Can I progress into further study?

You may wish to progress from BA (Hons) Early Learning and Childcare (top up one-year honours) to the following courses:

  • PGDE Primary (English Medium)
  • PgDip Primary Education
  • PgDip Social Work

Is there more information available online?

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Apply for Early Learning and Childcare (top up one-year honours) BA (Hons)

For further information on applying for this course, please enquire here

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.