This Foundation Degree provides a professional development opportunity for those working with young people in nurseries, primary schools, youth centres or similar settings. The part-time format of the course allows you to fit it alongside a job within education and care.
The course mixes academic rigour with practical skills that you can apply directly to your workplace. Modules include ‘The Social Context of Childhood’, ‘Professional Practice in Safeguarding of Children and Young People’ and ‘Social Policy and Children’s Well-Being’.
There is also a strong emphasis on personal development with specific modules on ‘Study and Self’ and ‘Thinking Skills, Creativity and Problem Solving’.
In the final year you will design and carry out a project on a topic of personal interest that can be related to your day-to-day employment.
Modules on this course include:
Year 1 (Higher Education Certificate Level 1) (national level 4)
Year 2 (national level 5)
In addition, you should have at least two years’ relevant work experience, and should be employed in a role related to the education and care of young people.
If English is not your first language, please refer to the University of Sunderland English Language requirements.
Foundation Degrees combine academic study with work-based learning and you have the opportunity to learn in the workplace as well as at college.
Teaching methods include practical sessions, lectures, discussions, case studies and workshops. We also encourage you to develop independent study skills.
Assessment methods include evaluation of work experience, reports and presentations.
You may progress to higher-level university Degrees in subjects such as Early Childhood Studies or Teaching (on completion of a full honours degree). Students may progress to the year 3 ‘top up’ degree BA Honours in Childhood and Society Studies at the University of Sunderland with further opportunities after this to progress to teaching and early years practitioner status.
This programme is offered by Tyne Coast College working in partnership with the University of Sunderland. The award that you will receive will be from the University of Sunderland.
In order to help ensure that the student experience is maintained at a high level across the life of partnership programmes, there is a minimum of 12 students required to enrol in year 1 of each programme offered by TyneMet College in partnership with the University of Sunderland in order for it to run. In the event that this minimum is not reached, the University reserves the right to either close this programme and withdraw offers made on it or, if appropriate to the programme, apply conditions to the programme in order to allow it to run with reduced student numbers. If the programme is closed, the University will use reasonable endeavours to help affected students switch to a suitable alternative programme or alternative HE provider if they wish to do so. If a decision is taken to apply conditions to the programme in order to allow it to run with reduced student numbers, consultation will take place with affected students. Conditions may include things like studying some of the programme at a different venue or merging study with other similar programmes where there is overlap. If these conditions are not acceptable to all students, the programme will close.
Please contact the Programme Leader if we can offer any further guidance.
Programme leader contact: Douglas Hallam
Programme leader contact details: douglas.hallam@tynemet.ac.uk
* The University of Sunderland has a wide range of scholarships on offer. Find out more.
The North East Collaborative Outreach Programme (NECOP) has launched its FutureMe programme of activity and support to increase the number of young people from the North East progressing to higher education.
Here are some links you might find useful.
And don’t forget, we’re always happy to help, so feel free to get in touch.
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