Course Summary

This course will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the essential aspects of child development and welfare and equip you with the skills required to provide high-quality services for children and young people. Following completion of this Foundation Degree you will have the opportunity to undertake a third year in order to gain a BA (Hons) degree.

Your studies will have a strong vocational orientation, with 'real' practice issues informing the curriculum and your work. The course is set within the context of current events, research legislation and policy. Teaching is supported by the world-leading research of our experienced staff. You will also be given opportunities for undertaking research for projects and dissertations, as well as enjoying the chance to gain practical experience of working with children and young people.

Underpinning the course is the belief that children and young people have rights and should have equal access to services and opportunities, regardless of social difference. Valuing the potential and the qualities of children and young people are also guiding principles.

Why choose this course?

We are working alongside the Children's Workforce Development Council to provide this cutting-edge degree, which has been designed to equip you with the up-to-date knowledge and skills you will need to be an effective and successful practitioner in the field of child and adolescent studies.

During the course you will:

• Develop extensive knowledge and skills in all areas of child development and child care service provision
• Understand various related theoretical perspectives and how these are linked to and inform policy and practice in the area of childcare
• Cultivate independent thinking and creative and innovative approaches to working with children and young people
• Develop a sound working knowledge of childcare legislation and current government policy and initiatives

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Introduction to working with children and young people
• Perceptions and discourses of youth
• Welfare systems
• Safeguarding children

FDCAS

Assessment

The overall strategy of the Foundation Degree seeks to reflect the breadth of study possible, as well as ensuring that learners have the opportunity to build on areas of particular interest or relevance to themselves. Continuous assignment based assessments are seen as the most effective way to determine academic development and achievement and is a suitable approach for mature learners returning to study who need immediate feedback for reassurance and to take remedial action if necessary at the earliest opportunity.

The assessment strategy will include:

• Case study


• Report


• Presentations


• Continuous assignment based assessment


• Project


• Observations


• Test


• Reflective journal

These assessment methods have been chosen because they will assist learners to review their learning and capture naturally occurring situations within the setting.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a sound working knowledge of relevant policy, legislation and service provision, together with in depth knowledge of specialized areas of study.

2. Evidence an understanding of key theoretical perspectives and their applications within child care policy and practice.

3. Engage in independent thinking and innovative approaches to working with children and young people.

4. Relate theory to practice and reflect on practice through utilization of students own experiences gained from existing practice in the field of childrens and young peoples services.

5. Demonstrate a familiarity with key research methodologies and techniques, selecting and applying a methodology appropriately in order to complete an evidence based literature review and child observation unit.

6. Evidence in a firm foundation from which to pursue child care related careers and professions, including the potential to become reflective practitioners with the self awareness and ability to transfer knowledge and skills to childrens young peoples services.

External Benchmarking

Social Policy and Administration and Social Work.

Educational Aims

The aims of the Foundation Degree in Child and Adolescent Studies will reflect those of the BA (Hons) Child and Adolescent Studies and are:

• To provide a progression to degree level for candidates who hold Level 3 qualifications and who are currently in employment in relevant work settings


• To develop and contribute to the training, knowledge and professional skills of practitioners in the field of childcare and education. Students will be enabled to meet changing circumstances in employment, practices and promotion to supervisory or management roles

The objectives of the Foundation Degree in Child and Adolescent Studies are:

• Develop extensive knowledge and skills in all areas of child development and child care service provision


• Understand various related theoretical perspectives and how these are linked to and inform policy and practice in the area of childcare


• Cultivate independent thinking and creative and innovative approaches to working with children and young people


• Draw out, develop reflective skills and extend learning from the work place experiences and activities


• Develop a sound working knowledge of childcare legislation and current government policy and initiatives


• Initiate and carry out independent child care research activities


• Develop skills in critically analysing theories, policy, planning and practice in the child care arena


• Relate theory to practice and reflect on practice through utilisation of the students own experiences gained from existing practice in the field of childcare


• Underpin the development of transferable practice skills and knowledge in working with children, adolescents and their families through workshops, role plays, case studies and the integration of theory and practice

Become reflective practitioners with good self awareness and ability to transfer knowledge and skills to different specialist areas of child service provision.

Student support

Learners will have access to student services and additional learning support at college through tutorials, email and telephone systems. Student support will include diagnostic testing for literacy and numeracy. Students are allocated a personal tutor for the duration of the course.

Team working

You will work in teams throughout the course. You will be expected to consider, value and respect the contribution of others.

Career Management Skills

Following completion of this course you will have the opportunity to undertake a third year in order to gain a degree. The course will give you the skills to become a senior practitioner.

Career/Further study opportunities

Further study:

Completion of the Foundation Degree allows the learner to enter the final year of the BA (Hons) in Child and Adolescent Studies and Applied Educational Studies leading towards Early Years Professional Status.

Entry

Additional:

Learners must be in work, either in a paid or voluntary capacity for a minimum of 18 hours and must demonstrate vocationally related practice at a supervisory level (Level 3). They must have gained 2 years post qualifying experience.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire.

Teaching Strategy

A major object of the programme is to foster and encourage students independence of study and learning in both college and work settings. A key feature of this award is that there will be a variety of experienced mature students from a wide range of childcare and education settings. Past experience has shown that the students collectively bring with them vast vocational experience, which will be shared in large and small group work discussions, exercises and tasks.

Consequently the majority of teaching will be interactive in line with the principles of adult learning. Teaching sessions will draw on teaching strategies from the following list and may in fact utilise several of these in a session.

• Lecturing with the use of visual aids


• Small group exercises and tasks


• Large group work


• Workshops


• Seminar and discussion groups


• Tutorial individual and group


• Community projects


• Student presentation of papers


• Field work


• Role play


• Visiting speakers


• Experiential exercises

Students with disabilities

Please refer to the colleges equal opportunities policies and learner disability statement.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• Work in groups


• Present to a group


• Participate in class discussions

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

• Use information technology to produce assignments


• Utilise learning resources to inform your studies


• Utilise BREO to inform your studies


• Search for information using a variety of sources

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• Conduct a review of the literature


• Develop an understanding of the research process

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• Analyse your practice in the context of this course


• Apply theory to practice


• Utilise skills of reflection

Improving learning and performance

You will use reflective practice to inform your development. You will draw upon your work place practice as a basis for the assessments using this experience for critical analysis and reflection to contribute to the understanding of new knowledge. Through this reflection, you will identify, assimilate and integrate into practice all appropriate sources of knowledge in relation to experience, thereby enabling you to develop critical thinking.

Progress files

As part of the course you will be required to complete a reflective journal and develop personal, professional and academic skills.

Professional standards

You will be expected to bide by the college and university standards as they apply to students.

These will include regulations on:

• Attendance and punctuality


• Plagiarism


• Attitudes towards others, both fellow students and members of staff

In addition, your behaviour and performance in the workplace may affect your ability to continue with the course.

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Adherence to the above professional standards is a condition of your learner agreement with the college. The Universitys code of conduct for students and its disciplinary procedure will be highlighted at the beginning of the course. Written information about all relevant policies will be in the student hand book, online and the course handbook.