Kingston University: Foundation Degree (FdA) Early Years

Award: Foundation Degree (FdA) Early Years UCAS Code: X110

Location of study: Kingston College, Kingston Hall Road (Campus Code K)

Awarding body: Kingston University

Course duration: 2 years full- time (which includes work placement, minimum of 16 hours per week)

Academic year dates: September - June. Term time only including some Saturdays at Kingston University.

Days of the week: 4pm-9pm. Year 1 -Level 4 - Tuesday Year 2- Level 5 - Wednesday

Work placements: This course enables you to study whilst you are working in an early years setting, by combining a minimum of 16 hours workplace learning with part-time study in the college. Experience to be developed from 0-8 years.

Timetables: Timetables are shared at interview and enrolment. For further information email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applicants must be aged 19+.

3 x GCSE's at any grade including Maths and English and/or relevant vocational equivalent. ESOL students must have achieved a minimum of Entry Level 3 or be enrolled onto Entry Level 3 and complete this alongside the course.

Don't have any formal qualifications? Don't worry, let us know and we can assess you to ensure you will be able to achieve well on the course.

DBS (police) check is required prior to any placement offer.

Learners will need to be working, volunteering or on practical placement to show competence in both knowledge and skills. Learners must be fit to complete up to 250 hours placement whilst undertaking this qualification. Your placement opportunity must allow for skills application with babies and young children sufficient to meet the assessment criteria for the qualification.

Basic IT skills are essential, as is access to a computer and internet outside of College. Places are also subject to satisfactory references, successful interview and diagnostic screening.

We will invite you to a Meet the Tutor event where you will receive information, advice, and guidance about the course you have applied for. This will be an opportunity for you to gain valuable information about the course and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can flourish! Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process, we are here to help take you to the next level.

This qualification is valued by employers and is seen as a mark of your professional excellence and expertise, enabling you to develop your career and opportunities.

Your course will be delivered at your local college. Once you have successfully completed this foundation degree at level 5, you can take a further year's study and top-up your qualification to a BA(Hons) degree at level 6 at Kingston University.

Once you have completed this FdA, followed by the BA(Hons) top-up, you will be well-placed to pursue postgraduate opportunities and enhance your professional development in education and related fields. Many graduates return to Kingston University for postgraduate and continuing professional development studies. These include Early Years Initial Teacher Training leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

International Student Entry Requirements

International students who have the necessary visa/permit to work in the UK are welcome to apply. Please note the course does not meet the criteria for UK Tier 4 student visa. If you are unsure of the current immigration rules, please contact our International Student Advisory Centre at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with special conditions in all elements. Please make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we'll consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements may be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from one of the recognised majority English speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Suitable applicants requiring a Tier 4 Visa will be contacted by our International and Compliance Officer, who will guide you through the process. These are the courses available for Tier 4 students.