Queen's University Belfast Foundation Degree Early Childhood Studies

Contact Hours per week fulltime programme

15 hours contact time to include practical classes, lectures, workshops or tutorials.

Mandatory Additional Study

Maximum of 3 hours per week average over the academic year.

Personal Study

19 hours maximum studying and preparing assessments in your own time per week, including use of online materials.

Work placement (Full-time)

Minimum 2 days per week across both semesters. If timetabling allows, 3 days of placement could be completed.

Part time course runs one afternoon and evening in Ards campus for 7 hours a week.

To apply for this fulltime course you must apply via UCAS. The part time option is via application to Stranmillis college.

GCSE and University General Entrance requirement statement

• GCSE English Language Grade C or above;
• GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above,
• At least 1 other GCSE Grade C or above preferably in a Science subject

UCAS

A minimum of 64 UCAS points which may include:

• 2 A Levels
• Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma
• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development

Republic of Ireland

• Irish leaving certificate - normally BBBBB at Higher (must have English and Maths Ordinary level Grade D or better)

Access Diploma

• Access course - minimum of 55% including Mathematics and English

International requirements

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2
• IELTS 6.0; (minimum of 5.5 in all skills)
• PTE 51 Or equivalent (Examples of equivalent qualifications would be a GCSE in English, Level 3 Programmes, Essential Skills in Literacy – Level 2, ESOL Level 2 or alternative qualifications gained at an Institution within the UK).

Admissions

Successful completion of the admissions process via UCAS (Instructions as above - Via UCAS).

(Please note these criteria may be enhanced by Queen's University Belfast, Stranmillis University College). Evidence of examination grades must be submitted with the application form. Evidence is also required of ability in appropriate skills and knowledge to undertake the programme. Applicants are also required to provide a reference with their application. Completed application forms are submitted for approval to Stranmillis University College on set dates. Original examination evidence is also verified by Stranmillis University College Academic Registry prior to registration on the course.

Application for the part time programme .

Students are assessed using a range of different methods. These include examinations, coursework, Project Based Learning, presentations, practical, posters, leaflets, role-play, and case studies. This is dependent on the requirements of each unit of study. Oral, written and online feedback will be provided during your course to help improve and monitor performance.

On successful completion of the course you will graduate from Queen's University Belfast with a Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies. Those students who achieve the standard required by Stranmillis University College may be able to progress to Stage 2 of the full-time or part-time BA (Hons) Degree in Early Childhood Studies. Students also have the opportunity to top up this qualification through an online distance learning degree.

All full-time students will be required to undertake study visits for which they will pay a nominal sum. This will be in the region of £30 per year. To attend placement, students will be required to have an enhanced Access NI check completed which will cost £33.

Course fees are payable on each year of the Programme.