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University of Wales Trinity Saint David| The award | How you will study | Study duration | Course start | Domestic course fees | International course fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Masters | Full-time | 4 years | find out | 0 | 0 |
Course Overview
This is a four year programme developed to combine academic study with vocational competence. The first three years of the degree will allow you to study subjects related to early years education and care as well as provide placement opportunities which will assess your professional competence. In doing so, you will have the dual benefits of an academic degree as well as gaining a vocational competence qualification equivalent to CCLD Level 5 Advanced Practice. Assessment and lectures support you make strong links between your placement activity and early years education and care theory. Graduates will therefore develop knowledge, values and understanding essential for informed good practice.
You will study a variety of issues linked to working with young children and families as well as exploring important aspects of childhood such as holistic development, wellbeing, education and care. The degree reflects the values of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child with a strong emphasis on young children's rights, the importance of listening and respecting children's ideas and decisions, and the right for young children to have access to play. These ideas will be explored in the context of the Foundation Phase, Flying Start, the Foundation Stage and other international early years approaches.
The degree places a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on learning and offers several opportunities for students to undertake practical activities which support the content of lectures. Learning environments and creative development are also themes that feature within the degree and there will be opportunities for students to learn in the outdoors and to use their own ideas and initiative to undertake learning tasks. There are also opportunities for educational field visits and trips which are included as part of the different module content. These may include: language and play workshops; visits to early childhood centres; speakers from local and national early years organisations and professions. There are also opportunities for optional visits abroad.
The final year of the degree provides an opportunity to work at postgraduate level and thus students will further develop their depth of knowledge, critical analysis and evaluation skills and their expertise within the early years sphere.
Key Features
The School, and degree, is located on our Carmarthen Campus which provides a welcoming and friendly learning community. The School's provision has been developed by staff with a variety of experiences in the early years education and care field including primary teaching and support, nursery management, safeguarding and health care. The degree therefore provides a variety of subjects and experiences for students to explore. Throughout the course staff provide a supportive and engaging environment where students are encouraged to develop new skills and partake in new experiences. Within the degree there are also opportunities to undertake certificated courses such as the John Muir Award. There are several opportunities for visits, to listen to guest lectures from early years experts and professionals and for optional visits to other countries within Europe and further afield. Current students in the School of Early Years have gained confidence and valuable life experiences from such opportunities. All these experiences are designed so that students can develop a varied and impressive CV and gain important employment skills.
The degree is designed to develop students' research, evaluation and self-reflection skills so that they are well equipped to question and develop their own professional development. Time is provided within the timetable for student placement and tutors will visit the students on placement in order to assess their progress.
This is an innovative 4 year programme which allows students to explore different aspects of early year education and care with a focus on holistic development, well-being, children's rights, early years' education and play. The first three years offer equivalent study to the BA Early Years Education and Care (EarlyYears Practitoner) . However the fourth year allows students to study at Master's level (level 7) and thus students have an opportunity to develop their research skills in depth and to evaluate the discourse in relation to children's well-being and development. The final year also allows students to undertake a research project which provides the opportunity to explore a subject of particular interest to the student and to develop a specialised research expertise linked to early years. The Integrated Master develops the student's ability to work at postgraduate level and supports the development of important skills such as: analysis; critical evaluation; academic debate; awareness of ethical issues of researching with and for young children as well as an ability to explore issues relating to early childhood in depth. These are also important attributes relating to future employment.
The School has developed a strong study skills programme which is designed to provide students with additional support with written and academic skills. This support provides students with the opportunity to increase their confidence and improve their attainment in assignments.
Modules
Typical modules in the first year include:
Typical modules in the second year include:
Typical modules in the third year include:
Typical modules in the fouth year include:
Course Tutor(s)
Assessment
The degree is assessed using a variety of different types of coursework assignment including:
Each module usually includes one or two pieces of coursework allowing students to demonstrate a range of skills, from their academic written skills through to oral presentation and debating skills. There are opportunities for group and paired coursework tasks as well as individual assignments. There are no formal examinations.
The research project provides an opportunity to undertake a significant piece of research in an area related to early years. Students will be supported during the process with individual supervision from an experienced member of the academic staff.
Career Opportunities
This multidisciplinary degree means that students may access several careers linked to working with young children and families including.
Graduates have also progressed to working in the government, voluntary and private sectors.
The degree focuses on developing students' research skills, written and oral communication skills as well providing students with excellent time-management and organizational skills. These are all skills which are highly sought after by a variety of diverse employers, and thus skills gained during the degree are transferable to different career pathways. The degree also provides evidence that students have vocational competence to work in the child care sector.
We work closely with employers and this helps the lecturing team ensure that the content of the degree supports the types of skills and experiences required of graduates when applying for work.
Further Information
The School of Early Years has a successful reputation for delivering high quality higher education. The lecturers have a diverse range of expertise from previous careers including those who have worked as nursery and primary school personnel, health visitors, nursery owners and managers, police child protection officers, early years development officers and researchers.
Lecturers also maintain close links with the early years sector in order to ensure students have the opportunity to link what they learn in University with real issues in the workplace. The School also has close ties with the local community and a strong focus on widening access so that non-traditional students are able to return to education.
Students who study the this programme are provided with an innovative and exciting course, which is tailored to facilitate students' involvement and participation in their own learning so that they become confident graduates in the future. The course also ensure students have the vocational competence to work in the child care sector.
Related Courses
Additional Costs
For students following the Early Years Practitioner programmes, there are two mandatory costs in addition to tuition fees:
Students may incur additional costs as they are required to attend some module lectures with appropriate clothing for study outdoors.
The School of Early Years organises mandatory study experiences and enhancement activities for students. The cost of travelling and the study on offer is incurred by the School. However students, for some visits, would need to supply their own refreshments.
Additionally the School of Early Years organises optional opportunities for student to gain additional qualifications during the latter part of their programme, for example Health and Safety, Safeguarding. These incur costs for the students; the cost is determined by the provider.
The School also offers students optional opportunities to partake in visits beyond the campus for example Cardiff, London, Sweden and Canada. The costs of these optional visits are incurred by the students.
Entry Criteria
A typical offer for this course is 220 UCAS points.
All applicants will be required to provide a satisfactory enhanced disclosure document from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
This degree is ideal for school-leavers studying a range of courses including A-Level, BTEC, CACHE and Welsh Baccalaureate. These course subjects can be linked to child development and care; however the degree is also appropriate for those with no specific childcare qualifications and who have studied subjects including language, arts, music, drama, mathematics, sciences or humanities.
The School of Early Years encourages and values applications from students who are returning to education.
We also offer a flexible learning route (see Early Years Education and Care 2 year degree) that is designed for evening and weekend delivery, for those who already have significant experience working in the early years sector.
As part of the application process students will be given an opportunity to attend visit days. This provides applicants with an opportunity to visit the campus, meet the lecturers, ask questions about the degree and have a tour of the site with a current student.
During visit days the course lecturers are always interested in applicant's experiences of volunteering and working with young children, for example, school / college placements. The team also likes to hear about applicants' interests, hobbies and responsibilities.
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