Early Years Education
There are many levels of study available depending on whether you're just starting out or are currently working in an early years or childcare setting and want to increase your skillset
So you want a career in Education? Great choice! Did you know...
- Investment in free Early Learning and Childcare places is worth over £700m to help meet demand
- There are an increasingly wide and numerous range of opportunities in Education and our courses will help you whether you are starting out or progressing your career
- You’ll also have the satisfaction of helping to shape the development of many young people
Childhood Studies: An Introduction SCQF level 5
This is an access course providing you with a qualification to unlock further study towards a career working with children and young people, with a combination of theory and practical experience to provide an excellent base knowledge to build on.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Full-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Early Education and Childcare NC
Aimed at school leavers, adult returners or those in employment in the early education and childcare sector as a basis for building on good practice, continuing professional development or for those who wish to progress to further study in this field or into study related to the care, learning and development of children, for example, teacher training.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Full-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Childhood Practice HNC
If you enjoy working with children and would like to make a difference to their formative years, then the HNC Childhood Practice is the ideal course for you. This nationally recognised qualification and valued award will prepare you for work in a variety of early learning and childcare settings, supporting children and young people with varying needs.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Both available
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
SVQ2 in Social Services (Children and Young People)
Get the skills and knowledge required to work with children and young people 0–21 years in a variety of settings in a supervisory capacity. You will gain an internationally recognised qualification which guarantees that you have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out your role successfully.
This is a work-based learning qualification so to be able to study it you must be working in a suitable childcare or education-based organisation.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Part-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
SVQ3 in Social Services (Children and Young People)
Get the skills and knowledge required to work with children and young people 0–21 years in a variety of settings in a supervisory capacity. You will gain an internationally recognised qualification which guarantees that you have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out your role successfully.
This is a work-based learning qualification so to be able to study it you must be working in a suitable childcare or education-based organisation.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Part-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
SVQ4 in Social Services (Children and Young People)
Required qualification for managers of care settings as a second qualification for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council, or for managers who do not already possess a health and social care qualification. This includes care settings such as care homes, residential care or care at home services for children and young people.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Part-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Child and Youth Studies BA (Hons)
This leading BA (Hons) Child and Youth Studies degree will give you a rigorous understanding of the specific concerns associated with child and youth issues in this region and within the broader context of the UK and Europe.
The course is taught entirely online via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE) and you will be supported locally by your personal academic tutor face-to-face, via email, telephone and online, which means that you can fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Full-time or Part-time
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
Childhood Practice BA (Hons)
This fully-online honours degree offers practitioners in a wide range of childhood practice settings the opportunity to gain the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) recognised qualification to be a lead practitioner.
You will have the opportunity to relate theory to real working practice and investigate, in-depth, an area of interest to you.
The course is designed to meet the Scottish subject benchmark statement, the Standard for Childhood Practice.
On successful completion of the course, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge to move on to a lead practitioner role. Similarly, you will be well equipped to take further professional qualifications or a PGDE.
- Where? All centres
- Full or Part-time? Part-time (structured or unstructured)
- Want to find out more? Visit the course page
PGDE Primary
English Medium - Gaelic Medium
Prepare to become a primary teacher, gain the skills and knowledge to influence the lives of children you teach. The PGDE consists of 18 weeks study at the university, plus 19 weeks in professional practice in schools. Placements are arranged nationally and you will be placed in schools within travelling distance of your home or term-time address.
If you wish to apply for the Gaelic pathway you must be a fluent Gaelic speaker, your language proficiency will be assessed at interview. On this pathway, parts of the course are delivered through the medium of Gaelic and you will complete the majority of your school practice in a Gaelic setting.
- Where? most Argyll locations
- Full or Part-time? Full-time
PGDE Secondary
English Medium - Gaelic Medium
Get the qualifications and skills you need for a career in secondary teaching. The course is offered in partnership with Argyll and Bute, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands councils, each working with the university through their local campus. The PGDE (Secondary) consists of 18 weeks study at the university plus 19 weeks in professional practice in schools. Placements are arranged nationally and you will be placed in schools within travelling distance of your home or term-time address.
If you wish to apply for the Gaelic pathway you must be a fluent Gaelic speaker, your language proficiency will be assessed at interview. On this pathway, parts of the course are delivered through the medium of Gaelic and you will complete the majority of your school practice in a Gaelic setting.
- Where? most Argyll locations
- Full or Part-time? Full-time