Education (Top-up) (Top-up)

BA (Hons)

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

UCAS code

X303

Start dates available

  • September 2026

Start dates available

  • September 2026

This BA (Hons) Education course has been designed and developed as a final ‘top-up’ year progression route for work-based students who have completed a foundation degree in Education or Early Childhood Studies, or have similar qualifications along with experience of working in an educational setting.

If you’re working or volunteering in an educational setting, with children, young people, or adults, this course could help you take the next step in your professional journey.

The course focuses on you as a learning practitioner, giving you the chance to build on your existing knowledge and experience through study at higher education level. You’ll develop your skills as a reflective practitioner, making connections between your day-to-day professional practice and academic study and research.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the course fits around your work and personal commitments. Teaching takes place online, meaning you can study alongside your role in an educational setting.

Key features of the course:

  • Choose the context for each module that focuses on an aspect, or aspects of Education which are of specific interest to you or are already areas of experience and expertise.
  • Learn in a way that supports your professional development, building self-confidence, self-knowledge, and self-belief in your skills and abilities.
  • Flexible online learning to fit around your lifestyle and work commitments.
  • Opportunities to tailor your assessments to your own workplace practice, making study directly relevant to your role.

Defined as ‘long full-time’ this course is an online learning programme, fully delivered online on one afternoon/evening per week, with students completing their own additional individual study in their own time with tutor support and additional support available on campus.

Alternatively, for a fully 100% online study option select the distance learning option at the top of this page.

If you’re working or volunteering in an educational setting, with children, young people, or adults, this course could help you take the next step in your professional journey.

The course focuses on you as a learning practitioner, giving you the chance to build on your existing knowledge and experience through study at higher education level. You’ll develop your skills as a reflective practitioner, making connections between your day-to-day professional practice and academic study and research.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the course fits around your work and personal commitments. Teaching takes place online, meaning you can study alongside your role in an educational setting.

Key features of the course:

  • Choose the context for each module that focuses on an aspect, or aspects of Education which are of specific interest to you or are already areas of experience and expertise.
  • Learn in a way that supports your professional development, building self-confidence, self-knowledge, and self-belief in your skills and abilities.
  • Flexible online learning to fit around your lifestyle and work commitments.
  • Opportunities to tailor your assessments to your own workplace practice, making study directly relevant to your role.

Defined as ‘long full-time’ this course is an online learning programme, fully delivered online on one afternoon/evening per week, with students completing their own additional individual study in their own time with tutor support and additional support available on campus.

Alternatively, for a fully 100% online study option select the distance learning option at the top of this page.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Education

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Education

Duration

This is an 11 month course and runs from September to July.

Blended learning

If you apply for the long top-up (blended learning) route all sessions and some tutorials will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. However, you will have opportunities to come onto campus for Face-to-Face tutorials throughout the year.

Please note, if you apply for this route, you may be able to access a maintenance loan as well as the SFE loan. 

Distance learning

If you apply for the Distance Learning (100% online learning) route all sessions and tutorials will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. 

Please note, if you apply for this route, you will not be able to access a maintenance loan but may still be able to access the SFE Loan. 

Blended learning

If you apply for the long top-up (blended learning) route all sessions and some tutorials will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. However, you will have opportunities to come onto campus for Face-to-Face tutorials throughout the year.

Please note, if you apply for this route, you may be able to access a maintenance loan as well as the SFE loan.

Distance learning

If you apply for the Distance Learning (100% online learning) route all sessions and tutorials will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams.

Please note, if you apply for this route, you will not be able to access a maintenance loan but may still be able to access the SFE Loan.

Course content

This course is designed to enhance your career opportunities, so work-based reflection and development forms a major part of the overall course content.

Throughout the course, you’ll engage in:

  • Work-based tasks and research relating to your own areas of interest, experience and expertise
  • Reflection on current and past events and initiatives that have shaped educational policy and practice
  • Drawing comparisons in provision and practice in other educational settings, including those in other countries than your own
  • Reflection on and evaluation of organisational practice and your own personal and provisional development and learning
  • Wider understanding of sector practice through collaboration and shared practice with others

You’ll develop a broad understanding and knowledge of how education can take place in a variety of organisations and locations, and how education can be delivered outside of the traditional classroom to enhance the learning journey.

As part of the course you’ll have the opportunity to engage in a small-scale, work-based research project on a topic that is relevant to your current practice and interests.

Throughout the programme you’ll be encouraged to reflect critically; to listen carefully to the views of others; to question values and opinions; to investigate evidence and your own informed conclusions. You’ll be encouraged to develop as an independent learner and to extend your skills of collaborating and negotiation.

This course is designed to enhance your career opportunities, so work-based reflection and development forms a major part of the overall course content.

Throughout the course, you’ll engage in:

  • Work-based tasks and research relating to your own areas of interest, experience and expertise
  • Reflection on current and past events and initiatives that have shaped educational policy and practice
  • Drawing comparisons in provision and practice in other educational settings, including those in other countries than your own
  • Reflection on and evaluation of organisational practice and your own personal and provisional development and learning
  • Wider understanding of sector practice through collaboration and shared practice with others

You’ll develop a broad understanding and knowledge of how education can take place in a variety of organisations and locations, and how education can be delivered outside of the traditional classroom to enhance the learning journey.

As part of the course you’ll have the opportunity to engage in a small-scale, work-based research project on a topic that is relevant to your current practice and interests.

Throughout the programme you’ll be encouraged to reflect critically; to listen carefully to the views of others; to question values and opinions; to investigate evidence and you’re your own informed conclusions. You’ll be encouraged to develop as an independent learner and to extend your skills of collaborating and negotiation.

Academic year

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Changes And Developments In Education 20 credits
Doing Education Differently 20 credits
Individual Study Project 40 credits
The Reflective Practitioner 40 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Changes And Developments In Education D/L 20 credits
Doing Education Differently D/L 20 credits
Individual Study Project D/L 40 credits
The Reflective Practitioner D/L 40 credits

Entry requirements

The course has been designed for practitioners with an appropriate Foundation Degree in Education or Early Childhood Studies. Applications will be considered from students with at least 240 credits, of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5 from an alternative relevant course.

Applicants holding an Regulated Qualifications Framework recognised Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET/DTLLS/DIT) qualification will also be considered if they have a minimum of 2 years working within an educational setting.

Because this is a part-time, work-based course, all applicants must be employed (either paid or voluntary) within an education or early years setting for at least four hours per week for the duration of the course.

The course has been designed for practitioners with an appropriate Foundation Degree in Education or Early Childhood Studies. Applications will be considered from students with at least 240 credits, of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5 from an alternative relevant course.

Applicants holding an Regulated Qualifications Framework recognised Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET/DTLLS/DIT) qualification will also be considered if they have a minimum of 2 years working within an educational setting.

Because this is a part-time, work-based course, all applicants must be employed (either paid or voluntary) within an education or early years setting for at least four hours per week for the duration of the course.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Facilities

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Off-campus library services

Distance learners benefit from a range of services including access to e-books, postal loans of physical books, online support from subject librarians and more. Read more

Library services and learning resources

We offer an extensive range of library services to our off-campus students and help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our comprehensive online catalogue of eResources are available for you to search for and access material such as eBooks, journals and databases. Our team of librarians can help you find your way around the electronic resources and library catalogues, or if there’s something specific you need, they can help you to source it.

Our LibGuides provide information and advice on using our online resources, with specific pages for each subject area, and can help you search for quality-assured websites. 

Find out more: Library Resources

The Catalyst

The building will combine business, networking and apprenticeship opportunities with dynamic teaching spaces and state-of-the-art digital facilities – the perfect launchpad for you future career. Read more

The Catalyst brings together the delivery of apprenticeships and skills, in a flexible, high-quality, digitally enabled space. It offers open, social and flexible learning spaces, emulating real world working environments and opportunities for digital engagement. The Catalyst is a unified building, bringing together social, study, teaching and support functions, where students can browse digital and physical resources, including books and a number of special collections. 
Watch video

Catalyst Bistro

The Bistro offers a dining experience with an option to book tables or the space for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Catalyst Kitchen

Serving artisan sandwiches, salads, smoothies and shakes, as well as our craft coffee and traditional favourites.

Pavilion Burrito and Wrap Bar

Pavilion Burrito and Wrap bar is a Mexican style restaurant that offers a Breakfast and Lunch menus throughout the week.

Support for distance learners

Studying remotely doesn't mean that you will be left to study alone. Which is why we ensure that however you study with us, you'll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students. Read more

However you study with us, or wherever in the world you’re based, you’ll still be able to access the same services as our on-campus students, including IT and study support, online library, careers and wellbeing service. We’ll help to connect with other online learners to help you get the most out of your learning experience and feel a part of the community. Find out more: Support for distance learners

Careers

You will be provided with opportunities to prepare you for employment.

Our graduates work in a range of careers in educational settings, children’s centres, care and family support, educational administration and management, play work and learning support. Many enter teaching through PGCE, Schools Direct, Schools Direct salaried and School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) routes.

Others have progressed to postgraduate study, such as Early Years Teacher, and Masters programmes.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The teaching and learning strategies have been carefully designed to maximise the opportunity for you to use and reflect upon your employment in the education/early years sector. Learning and teaching strategies will include; whole and small group discussion via Teams/Zoom, problem-based learning, case studies, individual research, verbal questioning, experiential practical learning one-to-one tutorials, critical reflective practice, observation of other professionals and guest speakers.

The teaching approach will often be activity based and participatory and students are expected to take a full and responsible part. You will also be required to complete work related tasks in all modules. This will give you the opportunity to link theoretical perspectives to your setting, and enable you to reflect on values, practices, assumptions and policies, nationally, and locally.

Through our Virtual Learning Environment ‘Blackboard’ you’ll have access to course materials, lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations and reading lists, so you can manage your time effectively.

The teaching and learning strategies have been carefully designed to maximise the opportunity for you to use and reflect upon your employment in the education/early years sector. Learning and teaching strategies will include; whole and small group discussion via Teams/Zoom, problem-based learning, case studies, individual research, verbal questioning, experiential practical learning for example, facilitated learning observation, one-to-one tutorials, critical reflective practice, observation of other professionals and guest speakers.

The teaching approach will often be activity based and participatory and students are expected to take a full and responsible part. You will also be required to complete work related tasks in all modules. This will give you the opportunity to link theoretical perspectives to your setting, and enable you to reflect on values, practices, assumptions and policies, nationally, and locally.

Through our Virtual Learning Environment ‘Blackboard’ you’ll have access to course materials, lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations and reading lists, so you can manage your time effectively.

Assessment

Students will be provided with assessment descriptors for the programme which describe the characteristics of the performance necessary to achieve each grade at this level with clear assessment criteria. The assessment tasks set over the duration of the programme have been designed to develop and build upon a wide range of personal professional skills, whilst strongly reinforcing links between theory and practical application. Some modules have more than one assessment task and will be linked to the teaching and learning methods of the modules.

It is understandable that some methods of assessment will suit different students in different ways, therefore a range of summative assessment methods will be used on the programme to assess the learning outcomes of the modules including written assignments, individual presentations using audio-visual tools , work-based study and research.

The assessment tasks set over the duration of the programme have been designed to develop and build upon a wide range of personal professional skills, whilst strongly reinforcing links between theory and practical application. Some modules have more than one assessment task and will be linked to the teaching and learning methods of the modules.

Formative assessment will underpin all teaching and learning, and enable the tutors to identify problems, offer feedback and feed forward to maximise the effectiveness of the learning process. Engagement with vocational learning is also formatively assessed through presentations of work-related learning, developing practical resources and producing reviews of policy and practice. Most of the formative assessment and self-assessment will be conducted through professional dialogue with tutors and with peers through structured online learning conversations.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Staff

Steve Hall

Senior Lecturer

Steve Hall is a Senior Lecturer in Education at University of Staffordshire and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, having previously taught in schools across the 4-18 spectrum with 18 years of experience as headteacher.

Steve's profile

Dr Duncan Hindmarch

Course Director

My enthusiasm for learning led me to qualify, design and deliver to initial and subject specialist teacher training courses. I have an interest in developing virtual learning environments to support learning.

Duncan's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 7 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Full-time £7,110 per year of study

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option
Full-time

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you are looking to access SFE funding for your course please be aware that for DL routes you cannot apply for the maintenance funds.  For further money advice and guidance please contact student-support@staffs.ac.uk

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

The tutor was absolutely fantastic

The tutor was absolutely fantastic and supportive – and I think what worked really well is me studying around full-time work. I had a Tuesday evening study so it worked really nicely around my Teaching Assistant role that I was doing at the time. 

It was difficult, but the support that I had off our lecturer was fantastic. They’d worked in education for a number of years so they understood how it worked.  

Marcel Phillips

BA (Hons) Education Studies

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BA (Hons) Full-time, long top-up 7 September 2026 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons)

Optional pathways in Mental Health and Wellbeing, Education for Our Sustainable World, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Study options
Full-time
for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021