home students only
Check eligibility →
Roehampton University · Undergraduate
FdA Early Childhood Studies Foundation degree at Roehampton University
FdA Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton University is grounded in direct practice with children and informed by contemporary research, so you'll combine theoretical understanding with hands-on application throughout.
FdA
Award
2
Years
Full-time
Study mode
On campus
Location
About this course
A practice-based foundation programme exploring the holistic development of young children, the shaping of their future well-being, and their learning outcomes. Get the specialist skills you need to tackle issues facing young children with teaching informed by the works of Friedrich Froebel. From the provider’s course page.
FdA Early Childhood Studies is a Foundation degree (FdA) at Roehampton University. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for General Studies, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Contemporary Issues in Education and Academic Skills for Success
Module details
Explore contemporary issues in education and early years, developing understanding of children's wellbeing, identity, belonging, spirituality, professionalism, curriculum, and assessment. Consider diverse perspectives, reflect on ethical and global dimensions, and challenge assumptions. Build essential academic skills including communication, analytical thinking, responsible use of AI, and referencing.
Assessment: Interactive tasks, a presentation, and a position paper
- Froebel in a Contemporary and Global ECS World
Module details
Explore Froebel's vision for early childhood and his holistic approach with the central role of play in children's learning and development. Examine how Froebelian principles influence contemporary practice and policy, and their relevance in addressing global issues affecting young children including climate change and socio-economic inequalities.
- Studying Young Children
Module details
Explore children's development from conception to eight years, gaining holistic understanding of how they grow, learn and thrive. Study key theories, practise observing young children, and reflect on ethics and professional responsibilities. Consider equity, diversity and inclusion, and wider social and cultural influences that shape children's lives.
- Placement 1: Developing and understanding professional practice and values
Module details
Take first steps into professional practice, applying developing knowledge of early childhood in real settings. Explore values and identity, build respectful relationships, and deepen understanding of children's development, health, wellbeing and learning. 175 hours in nurseries, early years settings or schools, working as part of a team, using reflective skills to enhance practice.
Year 2 4 modules
- Communication, Language and Early Literacy
Module details
Explore the many ways children communicate and make meaning from birth, including verbal and non-verbal expression, reading and early writing. Examine how children engage with books, develop reading and writing skills, learn multiple languages and how best to support those with SEND. Reflect on key theories of language development and practise observing and documenting children's communication.
- Researching Education in an Everyday World
Module details
Deepen understanding of the nature, purpose and use of educational research in local, national and global contexts. Engage critically with different methodologies and paradigms, exploring how evidence is gathered, interpreted and applied. Examine how research informs professional practice, shapes policy and supports educational innovation. Strengthen skills in enquiry and connect theory with practice.
- Creating Inclusive Environments for Children with SEND
Module details
Learn how to create and sustain safe, inclusive learning environments across a range of early years settings. Examine how teaching approaches, culture and relationships influence children's and young people's experiences. Explore the four areas of need within SEND frameworks with focus on neurodiversity and autism. Develop inclusive practice and strengthen collaboration with professionals, families and communities.
- Placement 2: Reflexivity in pedagogy and practice – using research and pioneering ideas to develop my practice
Module details
Build on first placement experience by extending professional skills across 210 hours in nurseries, early years settings, schools, or other areas of early childhood. Deepen understanding of children's development, health, wellbeing, participation and learning, while strengthening reflexive practice through academic reading and reflective tasks. Work to develop ethical, respectful relationships with children, families and practitioners.
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 practice-based programme explores the holistic development of young children, their well-being and learning outcomes, with teaching informed by the work of Friedrich Froebel. You'll usually begin with foundational concepts and academic skills, then move into interdisciplinary core study of early childhood themes. As you progress, you'll undertake applied projects, develop data and digital literacy, and choose optional modules to broaden your knowledge. In your second year, you'll typically engage in team-based work on real briefs, deepen specialist understanding in areas such as child development, pedagogy or family support, and complete a placement or independent research project. Throughout, you'll build professional skills alongside practical experience in early years settings.
Who it's for
This course suits people drawn to working with young children and committed to understanding their holistic development. You'll thrive if you're curious about child psychology and learning theory, comfortable with practical, reflective work, and interested in translating research into real classroom or nursery settings. You'll balance academic study with direct experience, so you need genuine enthusiasm for both the scholarship and the day-to-day reality of early childhood work. It's ideal if you want specialist credentials quickly without committing to a three-year degree.
Careers & job market
Across General Studies nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 65% of working graduates are in highly skilled roles or further study. Starting salaries for early childhood graduates range from £24,000 to £30,000 nationally; after five years, this grows to £25,075 to £35,400. The foundation degree can lead to employment in early years settings or progression to a full degree.
University & format
This Foundation degree is studied full-time over 2 years at Roehampton University, a public university located in London. Teaching is delivered in English. The award is nationally recognised as a UK degree-awarding body. Roehampton holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entry64–80 UCAS points (or equivalent) typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
Find out more about our Contextual Offer scheme. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of 64–80 UCAS points (or equivalent) and around 80 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Roehampton University's official course page for the current offer.
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 by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
UCAS codeX100quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code X100). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write 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.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results 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 Roehampton University 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
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£17,628 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Roehampton University →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 2 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All Roehampton University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
StudyKit · free
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
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.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in general studies · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 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.
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 Outcomes65%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Employers across sectors
- Public sector
- Corporates & charities
- Startups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit General Studies graduates.
General PractitionerMatchMedicsGeneral ManagerParkside RecruitmentGeneral ManagerThe Management Recruitment Group (MRG)General ManagerBite TalentGeneral ForemanCONTRACT SCOTLAND LIMITEDGeneral PractitionerFlexzo AiLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Roehampton University
All students11,945
International46.5%
Aged 25+32.3%
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 University of Roehampton
750 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 263Anti Social Behaviour 200Vehicle Crime 51Other Theft 50Public Order 42
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 Roehampton University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £17,628 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). 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 Roehampton University’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 Roehampton University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Roehampton University
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Roehampton University. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates earn?
See the career and earnings data for General Studies below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
No obligation
Request information about FdA Early Childhood Studies
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.