Children and Young People

• Study a course that’s been developed with employers in the sector, so you know it’s relevant and up-to-date
• Choose a specialist pathway relevant to your interests: Early Years, Early Years with Practitioner Status, Teaching Assistant, or Special Educational Needs
• Gain hands-on industry experience by volunteering/working two days a week in the sector.

You can study this course at Buxton & Leek College as part of the University of Derby, or at one of our partner colleges:

• Boston College
• Loughborough College

Developed with employers

This professional qualification is valued by employers. We’ll help you to become a more confident, knowledgeable and effective practitioner working with children, young people and their families. The course enables those already working, or wanting to work with children and young people aged 0–25, to further develop their knowledge, skills and understanding. You can choose a specialist pathway* relevant to your interests: Early Years, Early Years with Practitioner Status, Teaching Assistant, or Special Educational Needs. You’ll need to be working or volunteering in the sector two days per week and have 48 UCAS points from A level or equivalent qualifications.

*Dependent on chosen site of study.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

You'll study through a mixture of theory and practical work, and reflect on your practice.

How you're assessed

There are no exams.

2024/25

For fee information, please contact the partner college you wish to study at.

To study at Buxton & Leek College, apply directly to the University of Derby.

Apply directly to the University

Please apply to the individual College if you wish to study at:

• Boston College
• Loughborough College

Demand is growing for qualified practitioners working in children’s and young people’s services. You’ll have the knowledge, understanding, and professional skills to progress in your practice and make an impact on service provision. Previous graduates were promoted to senior roles and others now lead practices.

You can top up to a degree by completing the final stage of a relevant bachelors degree, such as:

• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
• BA (Hons) Education Studies
• BA (Hons) Special Educational Needs and Disability

In recent years, many of our graduates have continued on to a teacher training course and are now teaching.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons)