Program Overview

Early Years (FdA)

Key Facts

• UCAS code: X314 (Abingdon and Witney College), L520 (Solihull College & University Centre), X318 (New College Swindon)
• Start dates: September 2025, September 2026
• Location: Abingdon & Witney College, Solihull College & University Centre, New College Swindon
• Course length: Full time: 2 years
• School(s): School of Education, Humanities and Languages

Overview

The Early Years foundation degree is designed for individuals who work with young children in a range of pre-school and nursery settings and have experience in this sector. The course is delivered at the following Oxford Brookes partner colleges:

• Abingdon and Witney College
• Solihull College & University Centre
• New College Swindon

Tuition Fees

• Home (UK) full time off campus: £7,700 (2025/26 and 2026/27)
• International full time off campus: £9,900 (2025/26 and 2026/27)

Please note that tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years, both for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by the government. Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

How and When to Pay

• Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester.
• Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

Financial Support and Scholarships

For general sources of financial support, see the Fees and funding pages.

Additional Costs

• Travel to and from placements (self-funded)
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check (approximately £50)
• DBS update fee (approximately £15)

How to Apply

Further Offer Details

Foundation degrees are not typical degrees, so there is no typical offer. Each application will be considered on its merits and in the light of the employer's commitment to support the learning.

Entry Requirements

Specific Entry Requirements

• Prior qualifications necessary for entry to the programme include English Language requirements.
• Applicants must:
  • Be capable of producing work at a standard equivalent to Level 4
  • Produce for assessment at the interview a 500-word piece of work reflecting on their role as an early years practitioner
  • Have a reference from their employer
  • Have relevant work experience, paid, in a voluntary capacity, or as part of their studies.
• Entrants should normally have as a minimum one of the following:
  • An A-level or vocational A-level
  • NVQ level 3 (such as BTEC or other qualification)
  • An Advanced Modern Apprenticeship
  • Access to a relevant work setting for a minimum of 10 hours per week.

Applicants with prior certificated or experiential learning may be admitted with credit for up to a maximum of 120 credits at Level 4.

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

Screening

All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.

English Language Requirements

Please see the University's standard English language requirements.

International Applications

International applications to other providers can be made through the Oxford Brookes Application Portal. Applicants can also apply through UCAS.

Unfortunately, International Applicants are not able to be admitted to this course at New College Swindon, but are still able to apply to Abingdon & Witney College.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Credit Transfer

Many of our courses consider applications for entry with credit for prior learning. Each application is individually assessed by our credit entry tutors.

If you would like more information about whether or not you may be eligible for the award of credit, for example from an HND, partly-completed degree or foundation degree, please contact our Admissions team.

We operate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.

Application Process

Full Time Home (UK) Applicants

Apply through UCAS

Part Time Home (UK) Applicants

Apply direct to the University

International Applicants

Apply direct to the University

Full time international applicants can also apply through UCAS

Programme Changes

On rare occasions, we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.