Introduction

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Childhood and Early Year Studies (Top-up) programme is a Direct Honours Degree programme with dual specialisations offered by the Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences, Northumbria University.

The programme adopts an interdisciplinary approach which draws upon literature and research from a number of disciplines including cultural and media studies, education, history, literature, psychology and sociology. Students are encouraged to draw from personal experience during their studies and engage with contemporary issues, critically reflecting upon these in the light of the current socio-political context and the emergent and prevailing paradigms of the day.

If you are interested in working with children, young people and families within education, health or social care settings, the flexibility of this programme may be just what you are looking for. It provides you with a unique opportunity to develop knowledge, insight and understanding in two complementary subject areas that whilst exploring a range of career pathways.

The programme is 100% coursework with no examinations. It consists of 11 modules. Each module is supported with 16-32 contact hours and lessons are conducted on weekday evenings and weekends.

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Area of Studies

Modules

• Changing Childhoods
• Childhood and Early Years Studies Project
• Global Perspectives of Childhood and Youth
• Leadership and Collaboration in Children’s Services
• Perspectives on Children’s Literature
• Play and the Early Years Curriculum
• Professional Practice and Career Development
• Researching Childhood and Early Years
• Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Childhood
• Young Children as Meaning Makers
• Young People in Society

Duration
You can complete the programme in 18 months.
Honours Award
The Honours in the Degree will be awarded in accordance with the University programme regulations.
Career Opportunites
After graduation, students may choose to pursue the following roles, including, but not limited to:

• Child and Family Services Officer
• Counsellor or Counselling Officer
• Educator
• Health Care Officer
• Paediatric Assistant
• Research Assistant
• Social Service Officer
• Youth Officer

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Entry Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Childhood Studies and Early Years (Top-up) accepts a wide range of qualifications.

These include:
•Relevant Polytechnic Diploma
•Kaplan Diploma
•Other Private Diploma or foreign qualification will be assessed on a case by case basis
•In all cases, the final admissions decision to the programme rests with the University

English requirement:
•Successful completion of an approved Diploma qualification or higher, where the language of instruction was English can be considered.

Applicants are required to meet University's English language requirement

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Duration & Intake

Programme Duration

Delivery Method
A typical term lasts approximately 11 -13 weeks, covering 2 modules. Classes are conducted on weekday evenings and weekends.
The actual cycle may vary depending on the nature of the course and the lecturers’ availability. The University and Kaplan reserve the rights to alter the learning cycle, days and timing of the seminar if necessary.

Assessment Methods
Each unit is assessed by a combination of written assignments, projects, case studies and presentations. There are no examinations. Assessment methods may vary according to individual unit requirements.

Commencement Date
There are 2 intakes per year:
– May
– November
Please contact our programme consultant to obtain a copy of the class schedule.
Minimum class size: 20 students
Class may commence with fewer students than indicated above, subject to resource availability. In the event of cancellation, you will be notified at least 1 week before the programme commencement date, stated in your student contract with Kaplan, and our consultants will contact you to advise on a backup plan.
Maximum allowed candidature period: Not applicable.
 

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Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees
The total tuition fee covers university registration, lectures/tutorials/workshops and assessments such as assignments/tests/examinations/projects (where applicable), programme materials in digital format, Degree (if earned) and transcript.
For Singaporean/PR

Receive a S$400 referral fee when you recommend a friend to enrol in our Degree programme

Non-Tuition Fees
For Singaporean/PR Payment for this fee will be included in the first instalment.
The Student Development Fee covers the provision of a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the career and industry-readiness of Kaplan students, such as programmes aimed at improving interpersonal skills, technical and digital skills, as well as career advisory and job matching services. 
All fees indicated are inclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the prevailing rate. The prevailing GST rate from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 is 8%. From 1 January 2024, the GST rate will increase to 9%. For more information on the GST revision, please refer to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) website. Please refer to the official price list for a detailed breakdown.
Fees remain subject to change. Applicant will be charged the prevailing fees and GST at the time of application. For more information about the programme, please contact our programme consultant.

Education Loan
Choice of flexible repayment schemes available to suit your needs.

• Standard Repayment: Pay your monthly instalments (principal and interest) once your loan is disbursed.
• Partial Repayment: Pay partial instalments for up to 3 years or till the end of your programme, whichever is earlier. Standard monthly instalments (principal and interest) will commence thereafter.
• Interest Servicing: Pay only interest for up to 3 years or till the end of your programme, whichever is earlier. Standard monthly instalments (principal and interest) will commence thereafter.
• Flexible repayment tenure of up to 8 years.