Level 5

FD Young Children's Learning and Development

Develop core knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and inclusive practice, combining academic study with work-based learning to begin a confident, professional career in Early Years education.

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Apply through UCAS
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THe Details

This Foundation Degree is designed for individuals passionate about supporting the learning and development of young children aged 0–8. It is ideal for both aspiring practitioners entering the Early Years sector and those already employed who wish to formalise and deepen their professional expertise. The programme offers two flexible study routes, full-time and part-time, making it accessible to a wide range of learners, including those balancing employment and study. The programme aims to develop confident, work-ready graduates equipped with the academic knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies required to thrive in Early Years settings. Students will explore key areas such as child development, safeguarding, inclusive pedagogy, and policy frameworks, while embedding the Graduate Practitioner Competencies standards throughout their learning. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, reflective practice, and effective communication, skills essential for multi-agency collaboration and leadership in the sector. Distinctive features of the programme include: • Flexible delivery: Full-time and part-time options with inclusive learning approaches tailored to student needs. • Work-based learning: All students undertake a minimum of 10 hours per week in an Early Years setting, enabling direct application of theory to practice. • Creative and academic assessment: A balanced mix of written and practical assessments, including presentations, portfolios, and reflective tasks aligned to workplace demands. • Sector-informed design: Developed in consultation with students, employers, external examiners, and national benchmarks to ensure relevance and currency. • Progression opportunities: Graduates can progress to the BA (Hons) in Young Children’s Learning and Development at Hull College or pursue related degrees such as Health and Social Care. Students benefit from a supportive learning environment, experienced vocational tutors, and access to digital tools such as Canvas, Office 365. The programme encourages personal and professional growth through individual development plans, mentor engagement, and collaborative learning. By the end of Level 5, students will have built a professional portfolio evidencing their competencies, ready for employment or further study.

UCAS

UCAS provides support for young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature learners, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or a degree apprenticeship.

We support 1.5 million students every year to explore entering higher education, employment and apprenticeships and manage almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.

If you are going to apply to Universities following completion of your Access to HE course then you will need to apply through this link which provides additional information about applying  they can also provide advice regarding applying for Student finance and that is available here.

Student finance for undergraduates is an important part of the student experience and you may be able to borrow money to help pay for tuition fees and help with living costs. This is all available at the Student Finance website which has a step-by-step guide. Click here for further information.

It is important to note that when you enrol on an Access to HE courseyou can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England.

Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks.

Check if you’re eligible before you apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Your loan will be written off if you then sign up for a Higher Education course AND you have completed in full the Access to HE course.

We are proud to collaborate with University of Hull on the validation of this course.

This includes transforming our programmes to ensure that we meet the evolving needs of the sector, giving you the best opportunities for success when you graduate by having a competence-based focus. Find out more about competence-based higher education.

View the policies and procedures you would be agreeing to comply with by registering for this programme. This encompasses University of Hull Quality and Standards, including a Guide for Collaborative Provision students.

Visit the University of Hull's website here.

This course is an award of the University of Huddersfield.

Hull College’s collaboration with the University of Huddersfield allows us to offer degree courses at Level 7. This course and qualification is subject to monitoring by our collaborative partner and is awarded as a University of Huddersfield degree.

Visit the University of Huddersfield website here.

Entry Requirements

64 UCAS points, IELTS Score: 6.5

Assessment

Course Info

Full Time Higher Education

We are proud to collaborate with University of Hull on the validation of this course.

This includes transforming our programmes to ensure that we meet the evolving needs of the sector, giving you the best opportunities for success when you graduate by having a competence-based focus. Find out more about competence-based higher education.

View the policies and procedures you would be agreeing to comply with by registering for this programme. This encompasses University of Hull Quality and Standards, including a Guide for Collaborative Provision students.

Visit the University of Hull's website here.

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Level 5

FD Young Children's Learning and Development

Develop core knowledge of child development, safeguarding, and inclusive practice, combining academic study with work-based learning to begin a confident, professional career in Early Years education.

Apply Now
Which academic year are you applying for?
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THe Details

This Foundation Degree is designed for individuals passionate about supporting the learning and development of young children aged 0–8. It is ideal for both aspiring practitioners entering the Early Years sector and those already employed who wish to formalise and deepen their professional expertise. The programme offers two flexible study routes, full-time and part-time, making it accessible to a wide range of learners, including those balancing employment and study. The programme aims to develop confident, work-ready graduates equipped with the academic knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies required to thrive in Early Years settings. Students will explore key areas such as child development, safeguarding, inclusive pedagogy, and policy frameworks, while embedding the Graduate Practitioner Competencies standards throughout their learning. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, reflective practice, and effective communication, skills essential for multi-agency collaboration and leadership in the sector. Distinctive features of the programme include: • Flexible delivery: Full-time and part-time options with inclusive learning approaches tailored to student needs. • Work-based learning: All students undertake a minimum of 10 hours per week in an Early Years setting, enabling direct application of theory to practice. • Creative and academic assessment: A balanced mix of written and practical assessments, including presentations, portfolios, and reflective tasks aligned to workplace demands. • Sector-informed design: Developed in consultation with students, employers, external examiners, and national benchmarks to ensure relevance and currency. • Progression opportunities: Graduates can progress to the BA (Hons) in Young Children’s Learning and Development at Hull College or pursue related degrees such as Health and Social Care. Students benefit from a supportive learning environment, experienced vocational tutors, and access to digital tools such as Canvas, Office 365. The programme encourages personal and professional growth through individual development plans, mentor engagement, and collaborative learning. By the end of Level 5, students will have built a professional portfolio evidencing their competencies, ready for employment or further study.

UCAS

UCAS provides support for young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature learners, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or a degree apprenticeship.

We support 1.5 million students every year to explore entering higher education, employment and apprenticeships and manage almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.

If you are going to apply to Universities following completion of your Access to HE course then you will need to apply through this link which provides additional information about applying  they can also provide advice regarding applying for Student finance and that is available here.

Student finance for undergraduates is an important part of the student experience and you may be able to borrow money to help pay for tuition fees and help with living costs. This is all available at the Student Finance website which has a step-by-step guide. Click here for further information.

It is important to note that when you enrol on an Access to HE courseyou can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England.

Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks.

Check if you’re eligible before you apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Your loan will be written off if you then sign up for a Higher Education course AND you have completed in full the Access to HE course.

Entry Requirements

64 UCAS points, IELTS Score: 6.5

Assessment

Course Info

Full Time Higher Education

Download PDF

We are proud to collaborate with University of Hull on the validation of this course.

This includes transforming our programmes to ensure that we meet the evolving needs of the sector, giving you the best opportunities for success when you graduate by having a competence-based focus. Find out more about competence-based higher education.

View the policies and procedures you would be agreeing to comply with by registering for this programme. This encompasses University of Hull Quality and Standards, including a Guide for Collaborative Provision students.

Visit the University of Hull's website here.

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