Overview

Overview

• If you want to make a positive difference to the lives of young children, their families and the societies in which they grow up, this degree is for you.
• A Foundation Year is the perfect way to boost your academic skills, build your confidence and develop your wider subject knowledge so you can succeed at Winchester. This course offers an extra year of study at the start (Level 0) which leads onto the full degree programme (Levels 4, 5 and 6).
• A Foundation Year is ideal if you are returning to education after a break; haven’t quite achieved the entry qualifications required; are wanting more support during the transition to studying at university; or are unsure about which subject you wish to pursue.
• In Level 0 (Foundation Year), you will study three 40 credit modules across the year. Module One (Skills) is designed to develop and enhance your academic skills and your personal attributes. Module Two (Breadth) is designed to develop your awareness and understanding of the wider disciplines in Education and the Humanities through exploring a range of issues, approaches, perspectives, contexts, and practices that are fundamental to studying at University. Module Three (Depth) develops your understanding in your subject in preparation for progression to Level 4 of your programme. This broader focus in your first year supports your transition to studying at university level and prepares you for success in your undergraduate studies and beyond.
• You will experience a variety of teaching methods including lectures, discussion-based seminars and independent study. You will also receive support to boost your academic skills and your developing sense of vocation to prepare you for the rest of your time at Winchester. Find out more and hear from our Foundation Year students at winchester.ac.uk/foundation
• On successful completion of your Foundation Year, you will automatically continue to Year 1 (Level 4) of the Education Studies and Early Childhood degree programme. However, you also have the freedom to transfer to a different degree programme at this point if you wish.
• Early childhood education plays a critical role in the cognitive, social and emotional development of individuals in ways which impact their formative years and later lives. Whether your degree leads you to become an Early Years Graduate Practitioner in early years settings or to another graduate career related to young children, you will develop the breadth and depth of knowledge and specialist skills necessary to become a critically minded, reflective professional. You will take a holistic approach to the study of early childhood focusing on education, care and development from conception to 8 years. You will draw on a range of disciplines including education, social policy, philosophy, health and psychology to develop you as an outstanding graduate ready to work in multi-professional contexts.
• Through a combination of mandatory and optional modules you will learn about the nature and development of the child and Early Years Education and care and the wide range of factors that influence the child, their development and their learning including issues such as: race, gender, power, health, technology, culture, ecology, inclusion and politics.
• The BA (Hons) Education Studies and Early Childhood degree at Winchester (with or without Graduate Practitioner Status) enables you to:

• Become an outstanding graduate through a consistently high-quality student experience.

• Graduate as a work ready professional having developed the necessary attributes and skills in combination with gaining specialist subject knowledge.

• Graduate as a research informed critical thinker who understands the power education has to shape lives and to be a lever for positive change in the world.

• Benefit from our links and partnerships with local and international early years providers

In addition,

On the Professional Route (with Graduate Practitioner Status) you will:

• Attain Early Years Graduate Competencies Practitioner Status at Level 6.

• Have placements in early years settings in Levels 4, 5, and 6 of your degree.

• Be supported in accessing cutting edge knowledge and translating it to practical application on placement to graduate as a high quality research informed reflective practitioner.

On the Theoretical Route you will:

• Develop your expertise in early childhood in relation to the wider social, political and philosophical issues and contexts that impact upon the child.

• Be well supported in developing your sense of vocation and work readiness which includes opportunities to undertake voluntary work and/or a work placement.

Whichever route you take through our BA (Hons) Education Studies and Early Childhood degree following your Foundation Year, Year 1 will support you in orientating to undergraduate level study through a range of core modules which include content that is fundamental to the study of early childhood and early years practices. In Years 2 and 3 increasingly specialised content will extend your knowledge and understanding of early childhood education, care and practice by drawing on national and international research and practices and the extensive experience and research expertise of our dedicated tutor team.