BA (Hons) in Education, Learning and Development

Course Information

The BA (Hons) top-up in Education Learning and Development at Coleg Y Cymoedd, Ystrad Mynach Campus is a part-time two-year course, awarded by the University of South Wales, which meets the current requirements for the evolving education and health workforce.

The course was developed in response to the changing workforce in education, care and working with families. It attracts a mixed cohort including mature students, those who have a non-traditional, vocational route, those with families, in existing employment and some from Level 3 courses at the FE institution.

Those who complete the BA (Hons) top–up in Education Learning and Development can use skills and knowledge gleaned to inform own practice or to progress into other areas of occupation such as Inclusion Services, Social Services etc. Additionally, there is opportunity to gain access to Primary PGCE, Graduate Teacher Schemes and Post Compulsory PGCE for FE – the latter is delivered at Coleg Y Cymoedd, Ystrad Mynach Campus.

Designed to be completed in two years and combines work-based activities, focusing on your experience and work role, with academic study, therefore allows for work commitments.

Whilst on the course at Ystrad Mynach, you will have access to the University facilities (including the library and Student Union) and the opportunity to attend guest speaker talks, visits to USW Newport Campus allowing for an overall integrated experience.

Overview

The course provides opportunity to further develop knowledge and skills in a stimulating environment with experiential, proactive learning at its heart, whether you are a new or experienced practitioner continuing professional development.

Educational visits to professional seminars such as the National Education Show (NES) and the Public Health Wales are regular events, where you will meet experts in the field such as, Nina Jackson, Hywel Roberts, Nicola Morgan, Debra Kidd and others, where you will be able to ask questions. Additionally, the team actively seek guest speakers pertinent to the Module topics e.g., Martha Musonza-Holman (founder of Love Zimbabwe Charity and winner of the Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievements Award), other experts Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Play Therapist. further to this, students on the course have been involved in research projects in partnership with other colleges and gained extra qualifications such as the Play Maker Award – linked to Physical Literacy (Welsh Government initiative)

This course has gained recognition and commendation from Professor Martin Steggall (USW) regarding the support provided to students and student overall satisfaction

“On behalf of the Executive Team and the Board of Governors, I wanted to drop you a line to congratulate you and the team on your course’s performance in the NSS in 2020. Your score is above 90%, which is outstanding in the sector and is clearly a measure of you and your team’s effectiveness in learning, teaching and the wider student experience.” – Professor Martin Steggall (USW)

What will I study?

Studying on the BA top-up will further enhance the professional aspects of working within this sector, broadening concepts such as communication with colleagues and other organisations to health, educational theories, legislation, and children’s rights at a global level.

Assessment will be facilitated via various methods e.g., written assignments, work-based reports, portfolios, oral presentations. Topics are delivered over a two-year rolling programme, and are grouped as outlined below –

Group One

You will gain knowledge and understanding of leadership skills – within a Digital world/ During a Pandemic, as well as augmenting expertise in working with professional multi agencies and teaching and learning from a global perspective.

Modules (L6) – (60 credits): • Leadership in Education, Learning and Development (20 credits) • Learning and Teaching (20 credits) • Professional Multiagency Collaboration (20 credits)

Group Two

Introduces knowledge and skills in relation to factors that influence learner voice in particular its importance to wellbeing and resilience. This second group offers the opportunity to research a topic of interest, that could have an impact on children, young people and practice, this aspect will provide the ‘Honours’ status of the qualification.

Modules (L6) – (60 credits): • Wellbeing and Learner Voice (20 credits) • Independent Study (40 credits)

Progression

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On completion of the BA (Hons) top-up in Education Learning and Development students can progress onto the PGCE (Pcet) at Coleg Y Cymoedd, alternatively you will be supported/ guided as to how you can use the degree in various areas of occupation, access Primary PGCE at USW or another Higher Education institution of your choosing.

At the end of the BA (Hons) top-up students will have:

Greater knowledge and understanding of how children and young people develop and learn from a global perspective
Gained knowledge and skills enabling a leadership role – manage whole setting and/or initiatives
Further developed knowledge of teaching and learning from an international/global perspective/ Wales and the UK.
Enhanced own knowledge and skills regarding professional multi agency working.
Made connections to develop opportunities to change career pathways e.g., Inclusion Services, Children’s Provision, Social Services, Specialist Support, Education
Create/ strengthen opportunities within own working environment

Entry Requirements

You should possess a relevant Foundation Degree, Level 5, qualification (such as Early Years Care and Education, Working with Children and Families, Learning Support Assistant) other L5 qualifications will be considered – please contact the college or Programme Leader for advice.

Work placement is not mandatory for this qualification, but it is advisable to acquire (where possible) – practical experience can support you in your studies. Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) registered to the Update service is required.

How do I apply?

Apply direct

Apply now

Fees and Funding

Course Fees and Funding

Course Fees for the BA (Hons) top-up in Education, Learning and Development are £2,160.

There are grants that may be available. Eligible full-time student can claim a minimum grant of £1,000 they will not have to pay back, regardless of their household income, and means-tested grants of up to £8,100 will be available to those who need them most.

Students who wish to study at Higher Education level can contact Student Finance Wales for financial help with course fees, provided that they are living in Wales.

Please note: Fees are payable for each year of study. HE Fees are subject to change on a yearly basis.

For more information visit Welsh Government’s Student Money.

Equipment

Due to current circumstances delivery is both asynchronous and synchronous, therefore students are required to have a suitable electronic device to allow continuous access. Should anyone be in need of support with this, the college has a facility to loan a laptop, details can be found on the college portal once enrolled.

Staff Information

Sharon Reed – Course Leader FD Education, Learning and Development

01443 816 888
Block G, G302, Ystrad Mynach Campus

sharon.reed@cymoedd.ac.uk

Claire Hughes-Davies – Module Leader FD Education, Learning and Development

01443 816 888
Block G, G302, Ystrad Mynach Campus

claire.hughesdavies@cymoedd.ac.uk

Facilities

Professional teaching classrooms
Digital Technology – ‘Green Room’ VR in the classroom

What our students say

K Sharp

“The support we get is brilliant, and we know that we can rely on Sharon to resolve any issues, particularly with access to Blackboard/ Turnitin. Knowing that there is someone like her I can rely on gives me a lot of confidence, she spurs me on and makes me laugh, gives me courage and confidence when it’s been difficult!“

H Jones

“I completed my Foundation degree at UWIC, but couldn’t continue due to personal reasons, I have come to Colege Y Cymoedd to ‘top-up’, best decision I made. The course is challenging and even though I covered topics previously, I feel that I am learning more. Being on the course I feel that I will be able to get my degree, even though we have been online I still feel part of a group”.

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