Early Years: Teaching & Learning top up Kingston University London

The Early Years: Teaching & Learning BA (Hons) top-up degree at Kingston is extremely valued by employers and will be a mark of your professional excellence and expertise.

The course has been developed to build upon your working practice through the examination of social, political and cultural aspects of early education. As part of this blended programme, you'll become an advocate for children and consider how creativity and play act as tools for children's learning. 

You will position yourself as a leader of practice and learn how to make critical decisions that can transform practice. The course offers you an opportunity to explore multi-disciplinary working, deepen your knowledge and understanding of transitions that occur in childhood and examine current issues in early education.

Entry requirements

Qualifications needed for 2025/26

FdA (or equivalent) in Early Years and experience in a relevant setting. 240 CATS points. Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course. Normally, two years' experience in an appropriate setting. 

Your background experience, previous education and training equivalent to the typical offer will be considered if you do not meet the formal entry requirements. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is offered for those who are unsure of the current value of their qualifications. We are seeking people who wish to enthuse and motivate young children as well as developing further their own knowledge, skills and understanding in young children's care and education.

Pathway-specific requirementsGraduate Practitioner Pathway

In addition to the above, to take part in the Graduate Practitioner Competencies pathway, you will need:

• to be assessed in your workplace
• to have access to alternative placements/work settings/community settings outside your usual place of work to provide evidence practice across the 0-8 age range (25 days)
• mentoring support from a Critical Professional Associate (CPA) in the setting/s during placement

To achieve the Graduate Practitioner Status, on completion of the Early Childhood Graduate Competencies, have achieved Level 2 English and Maths qualifications at grade 4 or above, or hold a formally recognised equivalent.

Qualifications needed for 2026/27

FdA (or equivalent) in Early Years and experience in a relevant setting. 240 CATS points. Employment in an appropriate setting (paid or voluntary) for at least 16 hours per week for the duration of the course. Normally, two years' experience in an appropriate setting. 

Your background experience, previous education and training equivalent to the typical offer will be considered if you do not meet the formal entry requirements. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is offered for those who are unsure of the current value of their qualifications. We are seeking people who wish to enthuse and motivate young children as well as developing further their own knowledge, skills and understanding in young children's care and education.

Pathway-specific requirementsGraduate Practitioner Pathway

In addition to the above, to take part in the Graduate Practitioner Competencies pathway, you will need:

• to be assessed in your workplace
• to have access to alternative placements/work settings/community settings outside your usual place of work to provide evidence practice across the 0-8 age range (25 days)
• mentoring support from a Critical Professional Associate (CPA) in the setting/s during placement

To achieve the Graduate Practitioner Status, on completion of the Early Childhood Graduate Competencies, have achieved Level 2 English and Maths qualifications at grade 4 or above, or hold a formally recognised equivalent.