Childhood Practice BA

This programme has been developed to enable students with experience of working in childhood practice to meet the requirements of the Standard for Childhood Practice (SSSC, 2015). The programme has been designed to enable practitioners to gain an academic and professional qualification while remaining in employment.

This degree has been designed to meet the registration requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council for managers/lead practitioners in day care services for children.

August start
Session dates
Childhood Practice BA

Glasgow: main campus
Part-time mode of study
Day release Model (Monday - Friday)

What our students say

Engaging with this programme has enabled our students to develop their careers by following exciting pathways and to contribute more effectively to childhood practice service provision and wider Scottish society through the development of their leadership of learning and staff. Anthony’s feedback is testament to that…

“I have found the course immensely helpful in my professional development. In the last 6 months I have started my own business training SSSC registered workers in the appropriate use of social media and have also joined the bank lecturer pool at Glasgow Kelvin College. All the while maintaining my current assistant manager’s post [in an out of school service]! Neither of these new ventures would have been achievable without undertaking the BACP and receiving the guidance that I have.”

Programme structure

The programme contains work-based elements and will be rooted in practice. You will review your experience and use this review as the basis for planning and setting targets for professional development within the programme.

Teaching is delivered through a mixture of face-to face and real time online seminars, self-study guides and online spaces which focus on active participation by students individually and collaboratively, thereby further enhancing graduate attributes and employability.

The mode of delivery is part-time twilight from 18:30 to 20:30 hours.

Year 1

In effect, students will enter into year 2 of the BA in Childhood Practice. However, accreditation of prior learning to the value of 120 level 7 credits will be required to facilitate that. Students who do not fulfil or only partly fulfil that requirement will be assigned an individualised learning statement (which will be assessed) to make up any shortfall. That will be based upon their previous experiential learning and will be assessed.

Years 2 and 3

Indicative Core Courses

Professional Values for Leadership in Childhood Practice
Leadership Skills for Childhood Practice
Leading in Integrated Children's Services
Children in Society
Leading Practice

Additional courses that may be required to gain credit (and may involve entering into a further period of study):

Key Issues in Childhood Practice
Eportfolios Enhancing the Professional Dialectic
Discourses on Childhood Practice

As this is a work-based learning programme, in addition to formal learning you will draw from your own practice in the field of childhood practice.

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Special Glasgow feature

Attainment of this degree satisfies Scottish Social Services Council registration requirements for heads of centre posts in childhood practice.

Our international links

Aspects of our courses encourage you to explore childhood practice from other countries, enabling you to make useful comparisons with and improvements in childhood practice at local, national and international scales. That can include opportunities to visit childhood practice centres in countries abroad with travel and subsistence expenses paid.

Entry requirements

for entry in 2024

Summary of entry requirements for Childhood Practice

Attainment of SNEB, HNC, SVQ3, SVQ4, PDA or similar professional qualification in the childhood practice field. You must be currently working in a childhood practice setting such as a nursery or out of school provision and be registered with the SSSC. You must also possess a minimum of two years’ work experience in childhood practice.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

6.5 with no sub-test under 6.0.
Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ib, my best or athome)

90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23.
Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.

PTE (Academic)

60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.
Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.

Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)

65%.
Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.

Cambridge English Qualifications

Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169

School Qualifications

iGCSE English or ESOL 0522/0500, grade C
International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
West African Examination Council, Senior Secondary School Certificate, English grade C6

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Undergraduate degree from English speaking country (including Canada if taught in English)
Undergraduate 2+2 degree from English speaking country
Undergraduate 2+2 TNE degree taught in English in non-English speaking country
Masters degree from English speaking country
Masters degree (equivalent on NARIC to UK masters degree) taught in English in non-English speaking country.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact External Relations

If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:

Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study

Career prospects

This qualification will enable you to significantly develop your career in childhood practice. The graduate attributes developed will equip you as a leader in a range of childhood practice contexts and for further studies.

Accreditation

This qualification leads to enhanced registration with the Scottish Social Services Council.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.

Scholarships

The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.

RUK Excellence Scholarship

The RUK Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree entrants who have attained AAA or better in one sitting at A Level (or equivalent) for 2023 entry.

RUK Excellence Scholarship

RUK Access Bursary

The bursary supports talented students who might not be able to take a place at University for reasons of financial hardship. It is available to new entrant full-time, undergraduate students of the University of Glasgow who are fully registered for Session 2023/24 as being domiciled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and paying annual tuition fees of £9,250 per annum.

RUK Access Bursary

James McCune Smith Undergraduate Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has up to 30 undergraduate scholarships available for students of African/African-Caribbean backgrounds. The scholarship supports students who could face financial difficulties taking up their place to study at the university. The value of the scholarship is £2,000, paid in instalments for year one of undergraduate study. The scholarship is open to new applicants to the university for 2023 entry. Current students who have previously been in receipt of the award may reapply, however, preference will be given to applicants entering their first year of study.

James McCune Smith Undergraduate Scholarship

Beaconhouse Schools

The University of Glasgow offer a 15% discount on the first year of tuition fee to students from Beaconhouse Schools and who enrol on an undergraduate programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount does not apply to Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Dentistry programmes.

Beaconhouse Schools

Republic of Ireland (RoI) Access Bursary

Glasgow has a long and proud tradition of providing financial support to talented students who, for reasons of financial hardship, might not be able to take a place at university. Our RoI Access Bursary is part of our commitment to continue to attract and support students from a diverse range of backgrounds. For 2023 entry, the RoI bursary will be up to £2,000 for your first year of study and £1,000 for continuing years.

Payments of the RoI Access Bursary will be detailed in your Award Letter.

The RoI Access Bursary will be awarded as a cash payment.
The RoI Access Bursary will be paid in 10 instalments from October until July; this award is based on household income
The RoI Access Bursary will only be awarded in years where tuition fees of £9,250 apply (i.e. Normally Years 1,2 and 3. Bursary is not paid in Year 4 where no tuition fees are due).

Republic of Ireland (RoI) Access Bursary

Republic of Ireland (RoI) Excellence Scholarship

The RoI Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree entrants who have attained at Irish Higher grades A1, A1, A1, A1 from the Irish Leaving Certificate for 2023 entry. Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine applicants are not eligible for this award.

Payments

The RoI Excellence Scholarship will be processed as a cash payment.
The RoI Excellence Scholarship will be paid in 2 instalments.
The first payment will be in October and the second payment will be in February.

These payments will be credited to the UK bank account held on your MyCampus profile; therefore, it is vital that this is up to date at the start of the session. By submitting your bank details on the MyCampus system, you are confirming that you agree with the terms and conditions of the award.

Republic of Ireland (RoI) Excellence Scholarship

Undergraduate Talent Scholarships

The University of Glasgow is awarding c.50 undergraduate Talent Scholarships to support students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University for 2023 entry. The value of each scholarship is typically £1,500 p.a. for each year of the degree programme, subject to satisfactory progress. Talent Scholarships are available to students entering any of the University's Colleges.

Dental School students are eligible for a Talent Scholarship in their first year of study only. They are eligible for the NHS Dental Student Support Grant in the following years.

Undergraduate Talent Scholarships

Sanctuary Scholarships

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 20 Sanctuary Scholarships for applicants to the University, who have been forced to travel to the UK for humanitarian reasons and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2023/24. Please note that you must have applied to the University before submitting an application for this scholarship.

The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for applicants who are unable to access mainstream funding through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance. The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs. In addition, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met, this will also be provided for the duration of your degree, if required. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the Accommodation Services section on the website.

Undergraduate students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs only, if successful.

Postgraduate Taught Masters students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs and a partial tuition fee waiver, to cover any shortfall not met by your Postgraduate Masters tuition fee loan.

Sanctuary Scholarships

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2023 entry.