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Education (Top-up)

at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group - Newcastle

Award

BA (Hons)

Study option

Location

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group - Newcastle

UCAS code

X303

Start dates available

September 2026

Apply now

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.

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

Apply now

Course content

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
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

Location

You will study at NSCG - Newcastle College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Newcastle College, as part of the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, has consistently high qualification achievement rates that place it in the top 10% of colleges in England for learners aged 16-18.

NSCG - Newcastle College website

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.

Careers

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.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies.

You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor.

These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments, and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark.

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback

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

Fees

For the course starting on 28 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BA (Hons)-Full-time, long top-up
Study option	UK / Channel Islands
Full-time	£6,200

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.

Apply now to Education

Location	Award	Study option	Start date	Apply Link
Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group - Newcastle	BA (Hons)	Full-time, long top-up	28 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.