of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Course Level
Level 3
Duration
2 years full-time
Placement
750 hours
Entry
September (2021)
Fees
View Fees
Get an industry-recognised qualification equivalent to three A-levels
Clear route to progress into a skilled career or university study
This course is open for 2021 entry only.
Are you thinking about a future working in childcare or education? Do you want to get a qualification that will help you progress towards further study and jobs in this field? Our T-level Education and Childcare Level 3 course will give you the foundation you need to set you on the path towards your ideal career.
University College Birmingham is one of the very first colleges in the UK to offer the new T-level qualification, which combines learning in the classroom with gaining vital ‘on-the-job’ experience. As part of our two-year Education and Childcare course, you will gain core knowledge of subjects such as supporting education, health and wellbeing, safeguarding and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), as well as developing a range of technical and practical skills that employers are looking for.
Equivalent to three A-levels, this T-level course will help you boost your employment prospects by gaining extensive experience on a work placement in a real-world environment, supported by experts in our hired@UCB employability team. By completing this industry-recognised qualification, you could progress onto many different roles such as early years educator or teaching assistant, as well as gaining UCAS points to enable your progression onto study at university.
Why choose this college course?
- BOOST YOUR SKILLS – Build key skills and knowledge related to education and childcare, as well as enhancing your English, maths and digital skills
- WORK PLACEMENT – Get to know the world of work and gain essential industry experience through a work placement
- RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION – Our Education and Childcare T-level has been designed in collaboration with businesses to ensure your skills meet employers’ needs and expectations
Course breakdown
Topics you will study:
Year 1
Core knowledge and understanding
- Supporting Education
- Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Wellbeing
- Behaviour
- Parents, Families and Carers
- Working with Others
- Child Development
- Observation and Assessment
- Reflective Practice
- Equality and Diversity
- Special Educational Needs and Disability
- English as an Additional Language
Year 2
Occupational Specialism (Early Years Educator)
- Supporting and promoting children’s play, development and early education
- Developing relationships with children to facilitate their development
- Planning, providing and reviewing care, play and educational opportunities to enable children to progress
- Safeguarding and promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of children
- Working in partnership with colleagues, parents, carers and other professionals to support children’s development
Entry requirements
- Ideally, you will require a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C) or above, including English Language and maths at grade 4 (grade C) or Functional Skills Level 2.
- Alternatively, you will require a relevant Level 2 qualification (must also include English Language and maths at grade 4/C or Functional Skills Level 2) or at least 2 years’ relevant work experience.
- You should be committed, enthusiastic and have a desire to succeed in the early years and care sector.
- School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance.
This course requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. University College Birmingham will co-ordinate and fund the completion of the DBS check.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
To achieve this qualification, you must successfully demonstrate your achievement of the Core Component and Occupational Specialism Component.
The Core Component is 100% externally assessed. The assessment consists of:
- Paper A written examination
- Paper B written examination
- Employer-set project
The Occupational Specialism Components are also externally assessed, except for the observation element, which is internally marked and externally moderated by NCFE.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2015-2020.
Uniform and kit costs
This course requires a uniform and kit costing approximately £30, depending on the items you purchase. (Prices are subject to change each year – exact costs and information on how to order required items will be provided to you prior to enrolment.)
70%
Work placements
Work placements offer a wealth of benefits alongside your studies, helping you put your learning into practice, develop your skills and understanding of the workplace, boost your CV for your chosen career or enhance your UCAS application for higher education. Our hired@UCB team can help find the ideal placement for you.
Our education T-level course requires you to complete a minimum of 750 hours on placement in a real working environment. Our employability tutors will visit you out on placement to ensure you gain the right practical skills.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Adderley Children's Centre
- St Thomas Centre Nursery
- Busy Bees Nurseries
- Laugh 'n' Learn Day Nursery
- Lime Tree Children's Centre
We are extremely proud to have been chosen by the Government to deliver the T-level for Education and Childcare. Having the staff expertise and capacity to deliver this new and exciting qualification, we see it as an opportunity to be at the forefront of changes in the provision for young people's education.
Career opportunities
Early years educator
Average Salary: £18,526
Teaching assistant
Average Salary: £23,000
Special educational needs (SEN) teaching assistant
Average Salary: £17,789
Family support worker
Average Salary: £21,000
Nanny
Average Salary: £32,500
Childminder
Variable
Aspiring to a higher level career? Complete this course and you could progress onto our Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) degree.
Discover more about T-levels
Designed in direct collaboration with employers and businesses, T-levels are a great new route into skilled employment, further study or higher apprenticeships.
Meet your tutors
