BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care and Norland diploma

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff: 96 UCAS points

A minimum of 5 GCSEs (which must include English Language and Maths) at grade C or above (grade 4 and above from 2017), or equivalent prior to application.

Months of entry

September

Course content

As an award-winning specialist provider, Norland offers a unique blend of academic degree study alongside practical training and a wealth of hands-on experience that will set you apart from other early years professionals. Our world-famous training combines a three-year full-time BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Education and Care alongside the prestigious skills-based Norland diploma and a value-added curriculum of specialist training.

You will study the Norland diploma alongside the degree course and for a fourth year following completion of the degree. The diploma will prepare you for all the practical aspects of the care and development of young children as well as critical professional and life skills. In your fourth year, you will undertake your final module of the diploma as a probationary nanny in paid full-time employment for 12 months. There are no tuition fees to pay during this year.

Once you have successfully completed both the degree and diploma, you will earn the professional title ‘Norlander’ or ‘Norland Nanny’, as our fully qualified graduates are known.

The national industry-recognised Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC) is integrated throughout the degree and placements. On completion, you will be a recognised Level 6 Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner in both early childhood academic knowledge and practice skills, further enhancing your employability and career progression.

This course provides an unrivalled opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of the early years. Our lecturers have a passion for this subject area and considerable professional and academic experience in both education and working with families. Their teaching draws on many disciplines including psychology, neuroscience, child health, philosophy, social sciences, and education. We also regularly invite guest speakers, so you’ll have the opportunity to hear from experts working in the field.

Each of the three years is divided into three trimesters with your time split between placement and Norland. In total, you will spend 1,265 hours on 8 placements across the three years including a 25-hour new born experience – this amounts to 34 weeks on placement or around 35% of the course. In the third and final year of the degree, you will be required to complete a work-based project on an early years topic of your choice.

The summer trimester of your third year is dedicated to preparing you for your future employment, including first aid training, baby massage, employment contract advice, interview techniques, driving in arduous conditions and security training delivered by former military intelligence officers.

There are several different assessment methods for the degree and diploma courses at Norland. These include essays, presentations, viva, portfolios, displays and a work-based project.

Students are required to wear a uniform whilst studying at Norland and on placement. This instils a sense of responsibility and pride as students represent a long and prestigious history of the highest quality. The Norland Code of Professional Responsibilities contains the professional standards that students, Newly Qualified Nannies and graduates must uphold. The values and principles set out in the Code are not negotiable or discretionary. They underpin the behaviours and competencies expected of all those who are studying at, and have graduated from, Norland.

Fully qualified Norland graduates benefit from 100% guaranteed employability, above average graduate earnings and lifelong careers support through their own dedicated employment agency. The Norland Agency works exclusively with Norlanders to ensure graduates have outstanding employment and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.

Information for international students

Norland was granted a licence from UKVI to become a Student visa sponsor in April 2021. Until we have proven a track record of compliance (which is granted after four years of successful student sponsorship) there are some limitations on permitted student activity. Including that currently, our visa students have no working rights in the UK. This includes all formal working arrangements including all non-paid formal volunteering arrangements.

Fees and funding

Supporting you with study and living costs

There are several financial options available to help with your study and living costs:

• Our Emily Ward Bursary scheme provides a small number of means-tested bursaries.
• You may be eligible for a government student loan to cover some of your tuition fees and living costs.
• Students from overseas Commonwealth countries may be eligible to apply for a Royal Commonwealth Society, Bath and District Branch Scholarship.
• Some Norland students have successfully obtained grants and bursaries through scholarships or awards from organisations they have links with.
• Many students work whilst studying and during the holiday periods and there is strong demand for Norland students to provide help with childcare.
• We offer a fees payment by instalment plan across the academic year to help to spread the costs.
• While living costs will vary dependent on your circumstances, budgeting and planning ahead will help your money go further.

Find out more about Norland's fees and funding options