Programme summary for Foundation Degree Playwork and Youth Studies

About the programme

The Foundation Degree in Playwork and Youth Studies is designed to enable personnel engaged in work with children and young people in a variety of play, youth work and informal education settings to gain recognised qualifications in the field. Completion of the Foundation Degree will allow participants to progress onto level 3 of the BA (Hons) Playwork and Youth Studies Degree

Programme structure

The Foundation Degree in Playwork and Youth Studies is taught by HE staff at South Essex College. Staff are industry specialists with a wide background in the key issues relating to the field of professional playwork and youth work practice. All modules are compulsory. The programme tasks are based key areas such as learner development, the issues and discourse of the work sector and work related learning. The progressive programme is designed to enable participants to develop their confidence and skills for studying at HE level whilst in a supportive environment and using their practical day-to-day fieldwork experience as practice professionals.

Career opportunities

Support

Each student is allocated a personal development tutor. Your personal tutor is the person who will help you and will work with you to plan your learning and ensure that you are making progress. Your personal tutor will also help you with any personal or academic difficulties you may be having. Tutorials may be held with other students or individually. We will all work together with you to enhance your learning experience. All staff attempt to help students identify any additional learning needs at the earliest opportunity so that appropriate help and guidance can be sought. You will have access to all the support available to students at both UEL and the college, including guidance on fees, loans, accommodation, time management and study skills.

Admission

We welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in the informal education workforce, particularly those from different cultural groups and men. Applicants for the Foundation Degree should have the equivalent of 100 tariff points. Entry can also be based on internal assessment and prior experience.

Students who have obtained University Certificates at any of our partner institutions are automatically offered a place on the programme and bring with them the number of credits already gained on these programmes at level 1. Applicants, who are already working in the children’s services sector in informal or social education, in playwork and youth work, are welcome. There is no requirement to already be in employment but fieldwork practice is a central element of the programme.

References should be supplied for work with children and young people. All students will be CRB checked

Applicants over 21 years and with experience of working with children or young people (equivalent to at least 1 year full-time) who do not satisfy the formal academic requirements noted above, but are deemed to be suitable, may be offered a place on the programme.

Common application forms, interview guidelines and other documentation will be used to ensure consistency in selection and admission procedures. South Essex College will administer applications and undertake an ‘initial assessment’ of candidates both College and University personnel will be involved in identifying learning needs.

Consideration of eligibility will include:

a) the meeting of entry requirements
b)the recommendation of the employer/supervisor/referee
c)a commitment to completing programme requirements
d)evidence of a desire for professional development
e)access to relevant professional contexts.

Students may be admitted through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes.

Students seeking admission to the programme who have already completed certificated courses may gain exemptions up to 60 credits on the programme. All students must complete ED1000 Critical Reading and Writing and ED2000 Research Design and Method modules.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.