Top-up BA Early Years
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This pathway enables experienced practitioners with a Foundation Degree to enhance their professional development by topping up to the BA Early Years / BA (Hons) Early Years in just one or two years. You’ll develop your critical understanding of early years practice and frameworks from ethical, social, legal, and political perspectives; and gain the knowledge and skills needed to work collaboratively and equitably within an integrated, interdisciplinary workforce. You’ll examine policies, legal developments and practice innovations that promote children’s wellbeing across universal and specialist services – focusing on listening to children, promoting children's well being and multi-agency working. This degree course is considered ‘full and relevant’ for the purposes of registration and regulation – which means you’ll count in the qualified ratio of staff at Level 3. It also prepares you for further research, study, enquiry and practice.
How to apply
It is not possible to apply online to study for this qualification. For more information, read our Entry requirements for this qualification.
Key facts
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60 or 120 credit points |
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To be eligible for the top-up route to this degree, you must be an experienced early years practitioner and hold a Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years awarded within the last five years (your degree transcript should state whether it’s sector endorsed).
If you meet these entry requirements and wish to apply for this qualification please download the application form. You need to complete and send the application form, along with relevant documentary evidence, to the Faculty of Education and Language Studies as indicated on the form.
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Our fees depend on where you are ordinarily resident. We have a range of funding options to help you with
payment. When you apply to study we will tell you the fee and funding options that are
available to you. Before you apply you can read What you can expect to pay.
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Pathway to your qualification
View the pathway description to see the stages of study.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
You cannot count credit for study you have already completed elsewhere towards this qualification.
Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts Early Years degree or Bachelor of Arts with Honours Early Years degree depending on the modules studied.
Your honours degree will be classified as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. Your degree will be classed on the basis of your study of Open University modules only (the class of your foundation degree will not affect the class of your degree).
You will have the opportunity to attend one degree ceremony (i.e. you can not attend a ceremony for both the unclassified and the honours versions of this qualification).
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Qualification Regulations, Module Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Qualification Regulations
Module Regulations and Student Regulations
The Module Regulations and the Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for
Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available
on our Essential documents website.
If you have a disability
Choosing the qualification that’s right for you is very important. Depending on your disability, long-term health condition, mental health disability or specific learning difficulty, you may need to consider any challenges posed by:
- the learning objectives: for example, to gain an honours degree in a language you must be physically able to speak the language
- how the modules are taught: for example, some of our science qualifications require that you complete laboratory work
- any work-based competency requirements.
Choosing the right qualification can be a complex mix of the subject requirements and the support you may need. To help you assess whether the qualification you are interested in will work for you, further advice is available from:
Computing requirements
You will need a computer with internet access to study for this qualification. For most OU qualifications a
Microsoft Windows (new since 2006), Apple Mac (OS X 10.5 or later) or Linux computer should be adequate.
However, some qualifications require more specific IT equipment, in which case you will need additional
software to use an Apple Mac or Linux computer. A detailed technical specification for your modules will be
made available when you register. Please note, technical specifications do change over time to match computer
developments and the way we teach.
Not sure if you’re ready? Try a short introductory Openings course
If you would like to try Open University study before you commit to a qualification, our
Openings courses could be the right place for you to start. These introductory-level courses
have been specially designed to help you find out what it’s like to study with the OU, get a
taste of a subject area, develop your study skills, and build your confidence. There is also financial
support available for these courses. Read more about our Openings courses.
Distance learning
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.
For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.
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