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The Foundation Degree will provide you with the opportunity to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of early years and related issues, enabling you to become a competent and well qualified Early Years Practitioner. The Foundation Degree will give you a nationally recognised qualification and evidence of your ability to work in the Early Years sector. You will also have the chance to articulate to Level 2 (Semester 2, Year 2) BA Early Childhood Studies at Stranmillis and South West College, Omagh Campus. This part-time programme will be run over 3 years and will consist of 7.5 hours per week in College and a 10 hour per week work placement. You will study 12 modules and one optional module in each academic year in total.
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Enhanced Access NI disclosure is required and costs £35.
During your course you may be required to purchase course text books and incur additional costs for printing, photocopying and binding. The overall additional costs incurred to support your studies may be in the region of £250 per year. Please note that to apply for this course, you should also complete the Stranmillis Application Form, Employment History and Reference, located below. These should be uploaded as an attachment to your SWC application for this programme. Late applications will be accepted but offers will be issued first, to those that have applied by 11th June 2024. *The fees quoted are payable for each year.
Students must also complete and upload to your application the following forms for this programme by 11th June 2024.*Candidates applying for this course must also complete the following three documents (as attached) and uploaded to the college website as part of your application.*
Applicants must meet the general requirement of Queen’s University Belfast including English and Maths GCSE at grade C or above (level 2 in Communication Skills is acceptable in lieu of GCSE grade C in English Language, however level 2 Application of Numbers cannot be substituted for GCSE Mathematics). Appropriate NICATs Maths in an Access course can be considered in lieu of GCSE Maths.
and one of the following:
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
Please email registry@stran.ac.uk if you require further information on entry requirements or the admissions process for the Foundation Degree Early Childhood Studies.
In the event of over subscription to the course, and if you meet the entry requirements specified above, entrance requirements will be enhanced at shortlisting stage.
An offer of a place on this course will be conditional until satisfactory completion of an Access NI criminal records check and if appropriate, a Social Services check.
Assessment methods include assignments, case studies, practical exercises, presentations, examinations and placement assessments.
You may progress to the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme, also offered at the Omagh Campus of SWC. Please note that progression to a postgraduate teaching qualification in Northern Ireland requires Learners to have GCSE English, Maths and Science at grade C or above or specified equivalent qualifications.
P5003OP10A
Session Code
3 Year(s)
Duration
Higher Education
Mode of Study
8
Hours per Week
30
Number of Weeks
Interview Required
25/26
Academic Year
08/09/2025
Start Date
13:30-22:00
Time
Monday
Day/s
Breidge.McGuigan@swc.ac.uk
Coordinator(s)
Total Annual Fee £1,140.00
Total Concessionary Fee N/A
Fees Payable Each Year
**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development Traineeship
Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, validated by Queen’s University Belfast, quality assured by Stranmillis University College
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Children's Care Learning and Development