Early Childhood Studies with Foundation Year

With this foundation year course, you'll gain all the credentials you need to begin your career in early childhood studies. It's ideal for you if you don't yet meet the entry requirements of our undergraduate degree, if you're returning to study after a break away, or you need a bit of extra support to get uni-ready.

You'll spend a year studying with us on campus, through ICP. You'll get the knowledge and academic skills needed to take on a bachelor's degree, learning how to analyse information, do research, and improve your academic writing.

The skills you'll learn will help you work in teams as well as on your own in culturally diverse workplaces. You'll develop your understanding of new workplaces and environments, and how to adapt to new environments.

After your foundation year, you'll be ready to move onto the first year of BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies.

A guaranteed place
Once you’ve successfully completed your foundation year, you'll be ready to progress onto BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with a guaranteed place.

Course highlights
• ICP is based on the University of Portsmouth campus so you'll have access to all facilities, support and societies



• When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies



• Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move onto your degree ready for success



• Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's at university



Careers and opportunities
When you complete this foundation year, you'll be all set to continue on to our BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies. You’ll graduate with rewarding career options, including working with children, families and communities in a variety of professional roles. You could also take your studies further on a postgraduate course, such as MA Education Studies or MSc Educational Leadership and Management.

What jobs can you do with an early childhood studies degree?

Our graduates work in a range of educational roles and settings:
- early years teaching – with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)


- primary teaching – with a PGCE or SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) leading to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)


- pedagogical leadership in early childhood


- early years provision and setting management


- forest school leadership and training


- freelance education and private tutoring


- special educational and disability needs


Our graduates also pursue a variety of careers related to health and wellbeing:
- health and wellbeing promotion


- family support


- professional nannying


- therapeutic play – with further training


- play work


Our graduates also become consultants and researchers into early years issues.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Portsmouth offers accommodation to all Clearing applicants who accept an offer within 24 hours and apply for a room in halls by 19 August (terms and conditions apply).

By signing up for Priority Clearing, you can receive accommodation information straight to your inbox, along with exclusive access to Portsmouth’s Clearing Visit Day on Thursday 6 August. Priority Clearing applicants benefit from queue-jump status on Results Day, as well as exclusive updates, invitations to Clearing Webinars and personalised one-to-one application support.

The Clearing Visit Day offers you the chance to experience Portsmouth’s welcoming campus and vibrant student community first-hand before you enrol. With guaranteed accommodation, you can feel reassured that you’ll be at the heart of university life from day one.