Our purpose built early years classroom
Education (Early Years) (Top-up) BA(Hons)
Start Dates
20 September 2027
Duration
2 years part-time
Overview
Why choose Huddersfield for this course?
- Explore key early childhood issues including health, wellbeing, safeguarding and inclusive practice.
- 100% of our graduates were in work or further study 15 months after finishing.
- Learn flexibly with Saturday sessions and apply theory in your workplace for real-world impact.
If you are already working in early years and want to deepen your knowledge, strengthen your practice and grow your professional confidence, this one year top-up course helps you build the skills to make a real difference for young children and their families. You will explore early childhood from birth to five, including wellbeing, safeguarding, play, development and the wider social factors that shape children’s lives.
You will be taught by a dedicated team of early years experts who are passionate about supporting you as a reflective, evidence-informed practitioner. You will explore the ideas, policies and research that influence early years practice and learn how to create inclusive, nurturing and responsive environments where every child can thrive.
Your professional experience forms an important part of your learning, helping you connect theory with practice. To support those already employed in early years settings, teaching normally takes place on Saturdays, offering the flexibility to balance work, study and family commitments.
This course also supports your next steps. Many students progress into leadership roles in early years settings, teacher training, SEND support, family work or further postgraduate study.
Career opportunities after the course *
Nursery Practitioners
Early Years Practitioners
Early Years Teachers
Room Leaders
Nursery Assistants
*Lightcast
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for this course are normally one of the following:
- A Higher National Diploma, Foundation Degree, or equivalent.
- An initial teaching qualification from a recognised teacher education institution.
- Successful completion of a Higher Education qualification with 120 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits (or equivalent).
- Your qualification should be in an area related to early years education.
In addition, you must also have GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.
You must be in employment or voluntary work in an appropriate registered setting (for a minimum of 120 hours per year) and have support from your employer.
If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum of IELTS 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.
For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.
Course Details
Teaching and Assessment
Discover what to expect from your tutor contact time, assessment methods, and feedback process.
Your Career
This course is designed to support your progression in to more senior roles in early years education. Studying this course could enable you to consider a varied range of careers in education, including teaching, early years professional and learning support roles.
100% of graduates from this subject who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating.
* HESA Graduate Outcomes 22/23, UK domiciled graduates, other activities excluded.
Education is so broad—you learn about children from diverse backgrounds and see how society’s norms shape families. It opened my eyes to how privilege impacts opportunities and inspired me to think about challenging inequalities so everyone can succeed.
- Ainaa Imran
Second Year, Childhood Student.
Fees and Finance
This information is for Home students applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2027/28.
Modules credits can range from 15 to 60, dependent on the content of the module. Read more about total credits required for a range of degrees, to allow you to calculate the potential total cost.
Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X) and/or Government policy.
From January 2027 the UK government is launching a new student funding system for people starting university education. Read more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).
For detailed information please visit our fees page.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to enable you to undertake placements in settings with children. We arrange this as part of the application process. Please note that there may be a charge for the DBS check.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Discover what additional help you may be eligible for to support your University studies.
Tuition Fee Loans
Find out more about the Lifelong Learning Entitlement tuition fees loans available to eligible undergraduate students.
What’s included in your fee?
We want you to understand exactly what your fees will cover and what additional costs you may need to budget for when you decide to become a student with us.
If you have any questions about Fees and Finance, please email the Student Finance Team.
Gallery
Take a look at the Charles Sikes and Richard Steinitz Buildings, where your lectures and seminars will take place.
Charles Sikes Building Exterior
Diamond Jubilee Lecture Theatre
Richard Steinitz Building Exterior
The Street in the Charles Sikes Building
Seminar room
Experience real scenarios in our specialist classr
Explore More
Why Hud
Explore the unique opportunities and resources that make our institution a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and future-focused education.
Explore Huddersfield
Make Huddersfield your home. A Yorkshire town, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with easy access to neighbouring cities; Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. You’ll find plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and socialise, there’s ambitious plans for future development. Our campus is situated next to the town centre - making your commute a breeze.
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Your Student Experience
Get involved in great opportunities helping you to make friends from all across the world and create lifelong memories. Join one of over 100 societies with the Students’ Union, experience new cultures through global events, earn whilst you learn and build your skills via our Global Professional Award.
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Budget Friendly
Huddersfield is not only one of the friendliest towns, it also offers you a lower cost of living than most big cities. This means you could have more money to spend, making your uni experience even better. On campus you’ll also find plenty of facilities and services to help you budget and make your money go further.
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Sustainability Matters
We’re committed to sustainability and aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our plan includes reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and improving wellbeing through sustainable buildings. We’re investing in digital solutions, low-impact travel, and embedding sustainability into teaching and research, investing over £1m in carbon reduction.
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Committed to Your Future
Since 2015, we’ve invested £198 million to create spaces where you can learn, collaborate and thrive. We’re continuously investing in our campus with your wellbeing in mind—adding features that make our buildings healthier, more supportive and better places for you to succeed.
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