This course introduces you to key ideas in child and youth development, inclusive education, and research, helping you understand how children and young people learn and grow in different settings. You’ll explore what learning really means, develop essential skills for university study, and discover how education works in real-life contexts – including your local community. Whether you're interested in early years, special education, or broader education studies, BA (Hons) Early Years and Childhood Studies (Foundation Year) will help you build the confidence and knowledge you need for your future career.

Making our mark

Outstanding for student experience

We set the gold standard

The diversity and flexibility of the degree reassured me that doing a foundation year was the right choice. Doing a foundation year has helped me gain the confidence and knowledge I need to succeed; it also opened my mind to so many different views and techniques I can use within my degree.

Emily, BA (Hons) Early Years and Childhood Studies

Course information

On the course, you’ll learn through a mix of lectures, tutorials, group projects, presentations and discussions. The foundation year allows you to build confidence in your skills and knowledge.

Throughout your foundation year, you will have your own dedicated personal tutor to support your development and guidance when selecting your BA (Hons) course.

Features and benefits

Build strong academic foundations

Learn how to write essays, manage your time, use digital tools and think critically – all the essential skills to succeed at university and beyond.

Explore how learning works

Dive into key learning theories and cognitive processes like memory and attention, and understand how they impact both your learning and others.

Get hands-on with research and local practice

Develop basic research skills and apply them in a real-world project exploring education settings in your local area.

Discover your future pathway

Gain insight into different education specialisms and career routes, including early years, special education and youth work, and understand how education connects with families, policy, and communities.

Accreditations, awards and endorsements

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027

We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.

In your foundation year you will begin to develop your awareness of education and your future career pathways, understand the foundations of education and early years, alongside getting you familiar with what’s required for academic study at university level.

Core modules

Academic Study Skills

In this module you will be introduced to studying at the University through the development of your functional skills in writing and digital applications. You will explore areas including academic writing, critical thinking and effective communication. You will learn how to construct essays, conduct appropriate literature reviews and present your ideas clearly and confidently. You will participate in practical sessions on time management, study techniques and the use of digital tools to enhance learning. By the end of the module, you will have developed strong foundations in academic skills allowing you to excel in your next steps.

What is Learning?

In this module you will explore cognitive and behaviourist development theories and their practical applications in educational settings. You will cover key cognitive processes such as memory attention and language and examine how these processes influence your learning and others. You will start by examining yourself and your education biography before broadening out and considering how these theories may affect other learners.

Foundations in Disciplinary Studies

In this module, you will be introduced to the specific subject disciplines of special and inclusive education, early years and childhood studies and education studies. You will explore the historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of these disciplines. You will build an understanding of how diverse learning needs and early experiences shape children and young people’s development. You will also explore family and community engagement, policy impacts, and contemporary issues.

Introduction to Research and Practice

In this module you will study the basics of research and its application to practice. You will develop your knowledge of fundamental research methodologies, basic data analysis techniques, including working with numeric data, and the application of research findings to practice. The practice element will develop your understanding of the wider educational job opportunities on offer in the local area as well as developing links with the sector. Your work will culminate in a project focussed on researching educational learning settings in the local area.

Study and assessment

Year 1 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study

Assessment

Year 1 100% coursework

Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises of 360 credits (120 credits per year). During the course, you are likely to be required to engage in collaborative projects, practical assessments, group work activities, and to give presentations to your peers/tutors. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning.

Placements

There are no formal placements during the foundation year.

Following the foundation year, you will undertake placements and/or be encouraged to undertake voluntary work as detailed for the respective linked degree course.

The Faculty of Education has well-established links with over 1,500 schools, colleges and other educational organisations across the North West of England and beyond. This ensures that you have access to a broad range of placement and volunteering opportunities across diverse communities.

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Taught by experts

BA (Hons) Early Years and Childhood Studies (Foundation Year) is part of the School of Education at Manchester Met. Discover more about the school and who you’ll be working with if you choose to study this course.

Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.

We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.

Discover your school

Meet your tutors

Entry requirements

These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2027/28 academic year. Please check back for further details.

80 UCAS tariff points

IELTS score

IELTS 5.5 with no component below 5.5 taken within two years of course start date. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English

UK students

Level 3 qualifications

80 UCAS tariff points.

80 UCAS Tariff Points at A Level or acceptable alternatives e.g. BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma, Extended Diploma at Level 3 (Grades DM or MMP).

Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points overall.

Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.

A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.

AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.

Please contact the University directly if you are unsure whether you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course.

Level 2 qualifications

GCSE English Language at grade D/3 or above or a Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English.

Additional requirements

DBS and Child Disqualification checks required. Instructions on how to complete these checks will be provided once you hold a firm offer for this course.

International students

IB Diploma

24 IB Diploma Points to include Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English

Find out about English language requirements

Country-specific entry requirements

Find your country for specific entry requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for the 2027/28 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. The standard UK and Channel Islands full-time fee will be £10,050 in academic year 2027/28. We expect EU and Non-EU international fees to be confirmed in autumn 2026. All fees stated may be subject to change.

Careers support and prospects

Employed or in further study

87.6% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.

Graduate Outcomes survey 2022/23 leavers, HESA data.

Explore your options and build sought-after skills

Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business.

Through Future Me, you’ll explore your career plans. And through Rise, you will top up your skills with hundreds of online short courses.

Our groundbreaking research with industry means we have unrivalled business connections that can help open doors to your dream career.

You’ll have the chance to meet employers and get help preparing for interviews.

And the support doesn’t stop when you graduate. Our recent graduates can access services and support to start and boost their careers. As an alumnus, you will have lifelong access to our online career resources.

Earn while you learn

Find campus work that fits around your studies and pays a living wage through Jobs4Students.Find out more

Find your perfect placement

Get a head start in the job market with meaningful work experience through a placement.Find our more

Build skills for your future

Explore new experiences, discover your passions and become career-ready, life-ready and future-ready.Find out more

A career as unique as you

Successful completion of the Early Years and Childhood Studies foundation year guarantees automatic progression onto year one of the linked degree of your choice.

Depending on the linked degree chosen, there will be different potential career opportunities following graduation, these are outlined in more detail on the individual course entry.

Your city, your community, your campus

Life in ManchesterYour city campusYour student community

Bustling night and day, Manchester offers an inspiring and welcoming setting for your studies.

With a history of driving progress, it’s home to a diverse community of bold creatives, sport obsessives, and pioneers in science, engineering, health, education, business and law.

Manchester offers something to satisfy every interest and ambition – and our city-centre campus puts you right at the heart of it.

Explore the city

Home to one of the UK’s largest and most diverse student communities, Manchester Met is a place where difference is celebrated, and everyone is treated as an individual.

You’ll never be short of opportunities to meet new people, explore your passions, and get the support you need to succeed, your way.

And The Union is the perfect place to start – offering over 130 clubs and societies, an ever-changing social calendar and a free advice centre for every student.

Check out the Union

Want to know more

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Download our 2027 prospectus

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How to apply

You can apply for this course through UCAS.

Apply now

UCAS code(s):

Institution code:

Get advice and support on making a successful application.

You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.

Related courses

BA (Hons) Early Years and Childhood Studies

Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Education Foundation Year

Disclaimers

Programme review

Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology. For further information on when we may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our terms and conditions.

Important notice

This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most up to date information for your chosen course of study.

Confirmation of regulator

The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk.

All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our student protection plan.

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