View Full Version : 3rd year top up to BA
I am looking to top up my level 5 to the degree. Ideally by distance learning so I don't have to find childcare for my own children. The OU don't accept the 240 credits I already have so I'm looking at other distance learning. Is anyone doing one and if so through whom and what do you think? Otherwise I may look at doing it at a college- they just are all about an hour away so although they may start at 4ish I'd still have to leave before collecting mine from school and will then need childcare for mine and rearrange my mindees. I've put it off too long and really want to get going. I got my level 5 back in 2002!
Smiley
16-01-2014, 06:25 PM
Is this worth looking at?
https://www.don.ac.uk/university_centre_doncaster/courses/undergraduate/early_years_childhood/early_childhood_studies_dist.aspx
Smiley
16-01-2014, 06:27 PM
Just a thought! Is your level 5 a sector endorsed foundation degree?
Is this worth looking at?
https://www.don.ac.uk/university_centre_doncaster/courses/undergraduate/early_years_childhood/early_childhood_studies_dist.aspx
This is what I found too- does say to physically be there for interview and first couple of days induction - I live in the south east but still could be doable- just wondering if anyone else can recommend this sort of course?
Just a thought! Is your level 5 a sector endorsed foundation degree?
Erm... I have no idea? When I started minding I contacted the workforce development council (or whatever it's called) and they said its level 5. On my certificate it says 240 credits. Does that mean it is?
Smiley
16-01-2014, 07:25 PM
No idea without seeing it, does it say foundation degree? Who is it accredited by!
No it's an HND which I was told was equivalent to foundation degree (the first 2 years of a degree). If I had continued straight on it would have been full degree in just 1 more year. Wish I had now but I needed to earn so couldn't at the time. I did it through university of Greenwich.
I think I need to make a few phone calls tomorrow. Oh dear I do hope I don't have to start again!
Smiley
16-01-2014, 09:12 PM
HND is a level 5 and as you say usually just needs the top up to BA that's certainly been the case for the link I gave previously. I've always found the OU really helpful and they certainly did credit transfers from other establishments
The OU website states 2 things which mean I can't include my credits- "You cannot count credit for study you have already completed elsewhere towards this qualification." And "awarded within the last five years". Unfortunately I completed it elsewhere and out of the 5 year time scale. :-(
manjay
17-01-2014, 09:42 AM
My local University offer the BA top up so they may be worth having a look at. I did the FD there too so not completely sure about your previous qualification but we have had many new students join for the top up. I am just at the very end of my Hons and would thoroughly recommend. There is no requirement to attend and interviews can be done on the phone or by skype. All study is done through a virtual learning environment.
Glynd?r University - About the courses (http://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/UniversityInstitutes/HealthMedicalSciencesandSociety/ChildhoodandFamilyStudies/Aboutthecourses/)
Don't be put of that it is Wales as I would say most of the students in my year are from England
hth
amanda x
Thank you - I have emailed a few who appear to offer this style of learning - I have only found 2 and now this one in Wales thankyou Manjay. I wonder why they are harder to find. There must be more! Anyway, a few seem to ask for specifics about the HND modules but I meet the criteria anyway, only seems to be OU that give a time limit so fingers crossed!
manjay
19-01-2014, 04:55 PM
Thank you - I have emailed a few who appear to offer this style of learning - I have only found 2 and now this one in Wales thankyou Manjay. I wonder why they are harder to find. There must be more! Anyway, a few seem to ask for specifics about the HND modules but I meet the criteria anyway, only seems to be OU that give a time limit so fingers crossed!
I know ours is fairly new. This years students are only the second intake so it must be a growing area. I had to take a year off whilst the course was being prepared as the only other ones I could find required me to attend lectures. Ours also now offers the opportunity of completing over 1 year whereas I opted to do it over 2. I also like the fact that the course leader used to be a coordinator for childminders so they have a really good idea of how we work.
Hope you find something that suits.
I know ours is fairly new. This years students are only the second intake so it must be a growing area. I had to take a year off whilst the course was being prepared as the only other ones I could find required me to attend lectures. Ours also now offers the opportunity of completing over 1 year whereas I opted to do it over 2. I also like the fact that the course leader used to be a coordinator for childminders so they have a really good idea of how we work. Hope you find something that suits.
I have emailed them and asked if the course is considered to be full and relevant according to the eyfs and they don't know- it's not on the department for education website. They are going to look into it for me and send me some more information. I've already had a couple of universities near me say they will not accept my HND as credits as it is over 5 years old so I am really hoping I can find something suitable. The more I look the more keen I am!
manjay
19-01-2014, 09:04 PM
I have emailed them and asked if the course is considered to be full and relevant according to the eyfs and they don't know- it's not on the department for education website. They are going to look into it for me and send me some more information. I've already had a couple of universities near me say they will not accept my HND as credits as it is over 5 years old so I am really hoping I can find something suitable. The more I look the more keen I am!
Hope it all works out for you:thumbsup:
Oh dear not looking good- they only usually accept courses under 5 years old- most are coming back saying this to me. So disappointing as it means doing the foundation degree which I wouldn't get funding for as it the same level as what I already have. I can't afford to do that. I've looked at the eyts and can't do that even though I've got a friend who has only been a childminder for 2 years and has no childcare qualifications but she can do it as she did a completely unrelated degree 20 years ago! Aaaagh! I'm not giving up yet so if anyone has any ideas then do pass them on!
Ok I have emailed every university I could get to that run the BA and every distance learning style establishment too asking if they would consider me. Most are saying no. Although some are saying if I can prove myself they might. So help! Here's what I think I can show to prove myself...
- ofsted report
-CPD file with evidence if workshops and an evaluation of my practise
- LEA improvement award scheme - currently doing now
- my LEA officer will write me a letter
What else can I do/ show? Does anyone know if there are assignments online I can find that I could have a go at doing to show I can work at a high level?
Smiley
21-01-2014, 05:50 PM
I've sent you a private message with contact details
wee_elf
23-01-2014, 04:53 PM
Hi
I was in the same position as you a few years ago and I was able to 'prove' my level of education by completing what the university called bridging units which were then marked and approved before I started the BA.
Hope you get this sorted soon :)
Well, it has taken quite a bit of emailing, scanning, photocopying, reference writing, personal statements etc...
I ended up applying to 4 possible places that said they would consider me. They all offered me a place but with very different criteria...
University of East London - would have to start from scratch
London Metropolitan - would give me 90 credits from my HND (which states 240 credits on it) as it was over 5 years old
Open University - wouldn't allow me to do the Early Years course but would give me 180 credits towards an open degree
Doncaster - have accepted me on their top up route and so have accepted my full HND even though it is over 5 years old as they can see I have a lot of experience and kept up my CPD.
I got the letter from Doncaster today - the others I heard a couple of weeks ago and I did have to chase Doncaster up but I am so pleased! I can actually do just the top up and also in Early Childhood Studies instead of open degree and then having to explain every time I apply for anything!
So now to sort out the finance!
I am very excited and very nervous at the same time! Aaaaagh! Thank you all especially Smiley for all your help to get me this far. Does anyone know how I would get access to the part of this site to discuss the BA? Do I need a reference number etc? (I don't start til October so a while to go yet!)