FDA Working with Children and Young People · HCFEFoundation degree · Duration varies
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Hartlepool College of Further Education · Undergraduate

FDA Working with Children and Young People Foundation degree at Hartlepool College of Further Education

FDA Working with Children and Young People at HCFE weaves together core theory with practical experience, specialist options tailored to your interests, and an independent project that lets you explore an area in depth.

FDA
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
75%
continuation

About this course

FDA Working with Children and Young People is a Foundation degree (FDA) at HCFE, based in Hartlepool College. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for General Studies, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

7.5
/ 10
1 of 3 official measures
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Strong75

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 75% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 4 modules
  • Childhood and Youth DevelopmentCore
    Module details

    You will be introduced to key academic theories and models of children and young people's development, and engage with sociological and psychological perspectives on childhood and youth, to examine how these differing perspectives provide an interesting and contested understanding of growing up. You consider the key physical, intellectual, linguistic, emotional and social aspects of development, alongside adolescent theory. You also explore sociological perspectives, including (sub) culture theo

  • Developing Work-based PracticeCore
    Module details

    You are introduced to the initial aspects of effective practice in working with children and young people. Typically, you will demonstrate through your practice and academic work, core principles, skills, and values of working with children and young people and to use this knowledge to identify needs and support needs of children and young people. The module incorporates a minimum of 60 hours of work-based learning to enable you to develop your skills, whist making links to underpinning theory a

  • Relationship Building and Effective CommunicationCore
    Module details

    You gain an introduction to key communication and effective listening skills to build relationships with children and young people. You explore the importance of listening and responding effectively to the concerns and needs of children, young people and families. Drawing upon a range of interpersonal skills and insights into practice interventions, including mentoring, coaching and basic counselling, you learn skills and supporting knowledge in areas such as listening, building rapport, showing

  • Understanding Learning for Inclusive PracticeCore
    Module details

    You gain an introduction to understanding learning and its importance for children and young people's social and individual development. You consider key learning theories and the process of learning. You are encouraged to examine key issues associated with learning and inclusion through appreciation of the inequalities and barriers, and the importance of designing learning to reflect a diverse range of learner needs.

Year 2 4 modules
  • Enhancing Work-based PracticeCore
    Module details

    This is an opportunity to demonstrate practitioner skills at Level 5 which see you increasingly able to operate with increased autonomy to shape and inform your practice. Your understanding of working with others will be developed to take you beyond the team setting to explore external contexts and arrangements, collaborative working and to analyse the key challenges for effective practice. You will be encouraged to recognise that integrated working is integral to all practitioners who come into

  • Policies in Practice ContextsCore
    Module details

    You further develop understanding of the practice contexts through exploration of professional standards and codes of ethics, and the contemporary social policy agendas that shape and inform practice. You explore a range of relevant policy arenas, including safeguarding, health, participation, and involvement, which relate to areas of interest and practice. Critical skills of inquiry into the implications of a specific policy for the nature of work and interventions with children, young people a

  • Promoting the Wellbeing and Resilience of Children and Young PeopleCore
    Module details

    You increase your knowledge and understanding of the importance of promoting the wellbeing and resilience of children and young people. Current and contemporary aspects of safeguarding policy and practice will be explored examining how professionals involved meet children's needs and maintain their rights. You demonstrate your ability to use this knowledge to identify and support safeguarding needs of children and young people.

  • Use of Data for Evidence-based PracticeCore
    Module details

    You develop research skills and apply gained knowledge to practice, and identify and analyse relevant secondary data sources to devise a profile for a specific neighbourhood. The module enables you to identify some key academic literature and theories within children and young people studies. It encourages you to relate this knowledge to a contemporary issue affecting children and young people and will emphasise the importance of using key data to inform and shape the approaches to work with chi

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This Foundation degree focuses on practical and theoretical work with children and young people across a range of settings and contexts. A course like this typically begins with foundational concepts and academic skills, then moves to an interdisciplinary core exploring the programme's main themes, such as child development, safeguarding, education and welfare. As you progress, you'll usually engage with applied projects grounded in real-world briefs, optional modules to broaden your knowledge, and placement or work-experience opportunities. The course typically culminates in specialist study in areas of particular interest to you, along with professional skills development and an independent research project that draws together your learning.

Who it's for

You're someone drawn to understanding child development, behaviour and wellbeing, and keen to translate that knowledge into real practice. You might be starting out in the sector, retaining and building on earlier experience, or considering a change of direction into work with children and young people. Part-time study suits those who need flexibility, perhaps you're working, caring for others, or managing other commitments. You'll be comfortable with reading, reflection and written work, and ready to engage critically with research as well as hands-on learning.

University & format

This Foundation degree is studied part-time at Hartlepool College of Further Education, a higher education college located in Hartlepool. The course leads to FDA award, a nationally recognised qualification awarded by a recognised UK degree-awarding body.

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

PlacementPublished placement option

Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysBook an open day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

2026 entryLive availability check

Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent75% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check HCFE's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent75%
another higher-education qualification20%
Other10%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask HCFE whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Internationalset by the university

The cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; the provider's page is authoritative.

Check fees at HCFE →

Check the finance route that applies to you

Support depends on ordinary residence, assessed fee status, course and provider nation. The provider nation is unresolved here, so no national cap or loan amount is being guessed.

Find your official student-finance route →

Paying for it

  • Tuition fee loan: applied for through the student-finance body for the UK nation you live in.
  • Living-cost support: means-tested on household income, from your nation's student-finance body.
  • Repayment: only above the income threshold set by your nation's student-finance system.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

Each UK nation runs its own student-finance system; check gov.uk for the rates that apply to you.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All HCFE funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.

We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.

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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What General Studies graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

75%
continue past their first year
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in general studies · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs General Studies nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£20,825 – £29,400
After 5 years LEO
£25,075 – £35,400
national rangeaxis £19,500 – £36,500

National figures for General Studies graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

75 of 100

continued or completed

continued into the next year or completed their qualification

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Job market & outlook

How General Studies graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across General Studies courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
65%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where General Studies graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Employers across sectors
  • Public sector
  • Corporates & charities
  • Startups

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

Home tuition is regulated and the cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Eligible students can apply for a tuition fee loan and living-cost support from the student-finance body for the UK nation they live in. Repayment thresholds differ by nation.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.5 out of 10: continued 75%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Combined and general studies across the UK

Students39,200
Aged 25+62.2%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Hartlepool College

2,052 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 743Anti Social Behaviour 251Shoplifting 247Criminal Damage Arson 176Public Order 167

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is General Studies right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to HCFE from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by HCFE; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check HCFE’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with HCFE and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by HCFE. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
See the career and earnings data for General Studies below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
Home tuition is regulated and the cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. Eligible students can apply for a tuition fee loan and living-cost support from the student-finance body for the UK nation they live in. Repayment thresholds differ by nation. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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