Early Learning and Childcare (top up one-year honours) BA (Hons)
Course code X312
What is special about this course?
Are you passionate about improving children's lives? Have you completed the BA Early Learning and Childcare (Graduate Apprenticeship)? Do you want to shape the early years of learning in Scotland and develop better practices in all areas of the childcare sector?
This is the only course of its kind and is unique in its structure and delivery, offering an additional honours year on top of the 3-year BA Graduate Apprenticeship, for accreditation at SCQF 10 and allowing progression on to postgraduate studies within UHI or other locations.
The Scottish Government have outlined an ambition to make Scotland the best place for a child to grow up. They understand that providing the highest quality of childcare and learning from the very beginning is key to laying strong foundations for future generations, and that childcare practitioners are pivotal to the success of that vision.
This course is designed to support the provision of high-quality childcare and early learning.
Special features
- UHI are the only university offering Honours level study for BA Early Learning and Childcare (Graduate Apprenticeship)
- Can be studied from anywhere in the UK
Entry requirements
- You must have completed a BA Early Learning and Childcare (Graduate Apprenticeship)
Year 1 - BA (Hons)
Core modules are:
- Dissertation
- Personal and professional reflection
- Professional reflection
- Globalised view of childcare
You will also study:
- Developmental disorders
- Child and adolescent mental health
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will study through supported online learning using the university's virtual learning environment (VLE)
- You will be taught by a combination of online tutorials and workshops, which will be contextualised to your practice; you will be supported by a mentor, with evidence from the workplace used in assessment
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 years @ 35 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 2 years @ 17.5 hours per week
- Part-time (unstructured): up to 3 years
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- Inverness
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides
- Orkney
- Perth
- Shetland
This fully online course can be studied from anywhere in the UK. You will be enrolled and supported by staff at your chosen location.
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Degrees | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
| Full-time | Level | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship | 2025-26 Full-time |
With scholarship |
| Year 1 | CertHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £14,988 | £11,988 | £15,870 | £12,870 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £14,988 | Free | £15,870 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £14,988 | £15,870 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,494 | £7,935 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,498 | £2,645 |
Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you may pursue a career as a Practitioner in the childhood and early years sector.
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to progress from BA (Hons) Early Learning and Childcare (top up one-year honours) to the following courses:
- PGDE Primary (English Medium)
- PgDip Primary Education
- PgDip Social Work
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Early Learning and Childcare (top up one-year honours) BA (Hons)
For further information on applying for this course, please enquire here
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.