Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year

at University of Wolverhampton - Walsall Campus United Kingdom

The BA (Hons) Education Studies with Foundation Year provides you with the knowledge and skills to work in a range of educational settings, as a teacher or with a range of other career options open to you. Our Foundation Year programme has been designed to prepare you for studying at undergraduate level and provide you with the required skills and knowledge to transition effectively into level 4 study. During your foundation year you will develop skills appropriate to your university studies, such as finding and using information, working collaboratively with others, challenging and debating ideas, and expressing yourself with greater confidence. The foundation year helps you to become familiar with university life and to feel at home on campus.

The course is suitable for people new to this area or experienced staff searching for career development. If you are considering becoming a teacher, we offer the guarantee of a PGCE interview upon completion of this degree (providing you are on track to achieve a 2:2 or above and meet the course entry requirements). We also have excellent progression opportunities on to our Master’s in Education.

During your course, you, as an Education Studies student will have opportunities to consider a range of issues and perspectives relevant to educational contexts. You will consider contemporary issues in relation to education and children’s lives, including exploring issues around climate change, Black Lives Matter, mental health, social media, the impact of Covid-19 on education, and LBGT student experiences. You will also explore the role of education in relation to social justice, education policy, curriculum, and the types of education provided in the UK and internationally, as well as much more. You will draw upon a range of perspectives and disciplines to develop your familiarity with the complex and varied nature of teaching and learning, and will examine diversity and inclusion in relation to education. We work with our students to explore and challenge a wide range of educational ideas and developments, and we value learners’ own perspectives and diverse experiences of education. We encourage independent thought and curiosity, and a belief in the potential of education as a tool for improving people’s lives.

Work experience placements are an integral part of the course and can be negotiated in a variety of settings such as schools, colleges, children’s centres, charities, pupil referral units, prisons, youth centres, and other relevant settings.

We recognise that you will have a unique learning journey and we will maximise your potential through a wide variety of assessment choices such as presentations, written assessments, reflective journals, report writing, peer mentoring, and written plans. Our course does not include any exams and we work hard to make our assessments inclusive and relevant to your career goals.  We usually teach in smaller classroom-based student groups, as opposed to larger lecture theatres, to give you a supportive and personalised learning experience and our staff work hard to help develop the confidence of our students.

The BA (Hons) Education Studies provides you with the knowledge and skills to work in a range of educational settings, either as a teacher or if you also want to have other career options open to you. The course is suitable for people new to this area or experienced staff searching for career development. If you are considering becoming a teacher, we offer the guarantee of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Primary Education interview upon completion of this degree (providing you are on track to achieve a 2:2 or above and meet the course entry requirements). We also have excellent progression opportunities on to our Master’s in Education.

During your course, you, as an Education Studies student, will have opportunities to consider a range of issues and perspectives relevant to educational contexts. You will consider contemporary issues in relation to education and children’s lives, including exploring issues around climate change, Black Lives Matter, mental health, social media, the impact of Covid-19 on education, and LBGT student experiences. You will also explore the role of education in relation to social justice, education policy, curriculum, and the types of education provided in the UK and internationally, as well as much more. You will draw upon a range of perspectives and disciplines to develop your familiarity with the complex and varied nature of teaching and learning and will examine diversity and inclusion in relation to education. We work with our students to explore and challenge a wide range of educational ideas and developments, and we value learners’ own perspectives and diverse experiences of education. We encourage independent thought and curiosity, and a belief in the potential of education as a tool for improving people’s lives.

Work experience placements are an integral part of the course and can be negotiated in a variety of settings such as schools, colleges, children’s centres, charities, pupil referral units, prisons, youth centres, and other relevant settings.

We recognise that you will have a unique learning journey and we will maximise your potential through a wide variety of optional assessment choices such as presentations, written assessments, reflective journals, report writing, peer mentoring and written plans. Our course does not include any exams and we work hard to make our assessments inclusive and relevant to your career goals.  We usually teach in smaller classroom-based student groups, as opposed to larger lecture theatres, to give you a supportive and personalised learning experience, and our staff work hard to help develop the confidence of our students.

The BA (Hons) Drama is a versatile and exciting degree that offers an opportunity for you to gain experience in multiple areas of contemporary drama, theatre and performance. You will take a practical approach to these disciplines, developing physical and vocal performance skills alongside creative thinking and your work will be underpinned by critical performance theory.

The course also provides students with an opportunity to look beyond the role of the performer and consider the importance of designing, devising, directing, writing and teaching in performing arts.

Can't decide on which course you love the most? Why not try looking at our joint options... BA (Hons) Drama and Musical Theatre and BA (Hons) Dance and Drama.

During the degree you will:

• Acquire a portfolio of key skills and develop an understanding of why and how drama, theatre and performance practices work in different contexts.
• Engage in a substantial final year project that will enhance your future employability.
• Develop industry links through work with influential regional theatre companies such as Stan’s Café, Geese Theatre Company and Gazebo Theatre in Education. 
• Have the opportunity to perform in venues such as the Birmingham REP, the Arena Theatre and the Black Country Living Museum.

As a dance student at the University of Wolverhampton, you will develop your technical and performance skills, explore your creativity, and deepen you understanding of dance in a wider cultural context.  We offer one of the most varied dance degree courses in the UK and you will have unique opportunities to enrich and expand your experience in dance.

Reasons to study with us:

• You will have daily technique classes, training in contemporary, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, street, body conditioning and improvisation throughout the course
• All our staff are practitioners with international performance and research experience
• Our Performance Hub offers outstanding facilities with Harlequin floors and lighting rigs in the dance studios, a fully equipped theatre, recording studios, and a superb library
• We have excellent links with national and international dance organisations in nearby Birmingham and this will enhance your employability and experience in the current industry
• Our world-leading research in dance science informs our teaching and supports your health and well-being as a dancer

The course content includes dance technique and repertoire, choreography, film-making, dance science, dance history, cultural studies, dance education and workshop leadership, work placements, and research projects. You will have the following practical opportunities: performances in our theatres (Walsall and Wolverhampton), performing in local and national arts events, joining Le Loup Dance Company (our student company), front of house and backstage training, and participating in work placements of your choice.

National Student Survey 2018: We achieved an outstanding 100% for overall satisfaction for the course, and 100% for good teaching, 100% for academic support, and 100% for learning opportunities. These excellent results are well above the sector wide scores.

Can't decide which course you love the most? Why not look at our joint option... BA (Hons) Dance and Drama.

This exciting Sport Business Management programme has been developed alongside industry partners and endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).

The course has been mapped against the Professional Standards of a General Manager, meaning that you will be equipped with the competencies and skills needed to meet the requirements of potential employers.

The programme will provide opportunities to explore different strands of sport business management including marketing, strategy, policy, finance, economics, and sport event management. Studying these key areas will prepare you to enter a range of careers including sport development management, governing body management, insight and data management, facility management and business management.

This innovative, hands-on sport and exercise therapy course is accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists.

The course involves the prevention of injury and rehabilitation back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness for a wide range of patients. The course uses the principles of sport and exercise sciences, and the study of health, injury, and disease, to prepare patients for training, competition, or work.

The course is endorsed by the Charted Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA), ensuring that you meet the requirements of potential employers. Course content aligns with the employer-set proffesional standards of a gym instructor, and will equip you with all the skills and comptencies you'll need to stand out from the crowd.

Throughout the course, you will develop the skills required to provide the immediate care of injuries and basic life support in recreational, training and competitive environments. You will learn how to assess and treat musculoskeletal injuries, and, where appropriate, refer on for specialist advice and intervention. Working as part of a professional team in a real-world environment, you will gain applied practical skills in sport and remedial massage, and plan and implement appropriate rehabilitation programmes.

You will have opportunities to work with some of our key partners such as British Judo, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Walsall FC, to develop industry skills relevant to a career in sport and exercise therapy.

Placement and employability modules allow you to gain hands-on experience in an applied context, including a clinical placement at Level 6. Employability modules enable you to explore sport and exercise therapy career pathways and engage in career development planning that prepares you for graduate-level employment in a competitive industry.

The Education, Childhood and Youth degree is a course title change of our popular BA (Hons) Childhood & Family Studies and Education Studies degree and will develop the skills and knowledge required for a range of careers working with children, their families and the services that support them, in both education and social contexts.This degree aims to provide invaluable insights into learning, teaching and education systems. Although it does not lead to qualified teacher status, it introduces students to a variety of educational concepts and fields of enquiry.The course is suitable for people new to this area or experienced staff searching for career development.Work experience placements are an integral part of the course and can be negotiated in a variety of settings such as schools, nurseries, community care centres, hospitals, social services, libraries and other relevant settings.- This course involves work placements at every level of study.- The teaching team are from a range of professional backgrounds including education, social work and youth work and are all actively involved in research.- Student support is a priority with systems of pastoral and academic support provided from the start by personal and module tutors.- This is a unique course which offers both academic rigour and professional relevance.

This course aims to combine the intellectual exploration of acting and the practical development of skills. It will develop the actor as collaborator – able to exercise his/ her craft and to contribute to the creation of work.

The course will equip you to work with explorative companies such as Stan’s Café, Talking Birds, Knee High, Forced Entertainment as well as in more conventional performance environments such as repertory theatre, film and television. You will also be equipped to seek employment in applied drama contexts, directing, writing and arts marketing.

What happens on the course?

You will complete actor training in vocal and physical skills. In addition you will work on the skills that will make you a creative actor and collaborator.

You will have a unique opportunity to work on production modules during the degree which are taught full time and exclusively to other modules for a 3 week intensive period.

As part of your studies you will form companies to negotiate appropriate marketing strategies to promote your work to a public audience as well as prepare your audition portfolio, cv and showreel.  

You will develop your acting skills for the stage, screen and radio and apply a range of skills, techniques and new technologies to enable creative engagement with different performance/acting contexts.

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of forms, practices, traditions, texts, theories and histories of drama, performance and theatre in their cultural, historical and contemporary contexts

You will complete a substantial final year project in an area of your choice which will enhance your future employability.

This exciting and applied course has been endorsed through the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Undergraduate Endorsement Scheme (BUES), which awards endorsement to sport and exercise science degree courses that provide undergraduates with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills essential to enter into the profession. 

The course covers the physiological, biomechanical and psychological influences on human performance and health. You will examine how individuals respond and adapt to sport and exercise in a variety of settings, and learn how to design interventions to maximise performance and promote health for a range of people. This may include elite athletes or clinical populations such as those with obesity or cardiac rehabilitation patients.

You will also explore local, national and international public health and sport initiatives that aim to encourage a physically active population. This course is therefore ideal if you wish to work in applied settings such as professional sport, exercise referral schemes, community physical activity programmes and professional environments that promote active lifestyles and well-being.

This exciting Sport Business Management programme has been developed alongside industry partners and endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). The course has been mapped against the Professional Standards of a General Manager, meaning that you will be equipped with the competencies and skills needed to meet the requirements of potential employers.

The programme will provide opportunities to explore different strands of sport business management including marketing, strategy, policy, finance, economics, and sport event management. Studying these key areas will prepare you to enter a range of careers including sport development management, governing body management, insight and data management, facility management and business management.