by: Mia - 04-03-10 11:04
Hi
Has anyone started/done the foundation degree in children's and young people's services? How did you find it? Has anyone done this and still worked full time - how long did it take and how many hours per week did you spend at uni?
sorry for all the questions just wanted to know if I could cope?!
by: Mia
nobody?????
by: purepurple
I am doing a foundation degree in professional practice in the early years, so will give you my answers based on my experience
I work 40 hours a week and attend uni on one evening a week. I go straight from work, finishing 30 mins early. I have to make up the 30 mins by having a 30 min dinner break the next day.
I am usually at uni till 9. It is tiring but enjoyable. I have just started my second year of a 3 year course and have just passed the halfway point. I have passeed all the level 4 modules and have started the level 5 ones. I am sitting on a commendation at the moment, and will have to improve slighty if I want to get a distinction.
I tend to do lots of my research and study at the weekend, especially in the morning when everyone else in the house is still in bed.
I have met all my deadlines and not had any assignments referred. I also have 100% attendance.
I have managed not to buy any books as they are so expensive and i didn't qualify for the student grant. I have used the library and Amazon books and google books online, google scholar too.
We have all had lots of support from the uni tutors who are all fantastic. it is in their best interests to get us all through the course.
I alwys think that you should grab any opportunity you are offered, you never know what is around the corner.
I am sure you will enjoy your course! You always have the people on this forum for help and advice :)
by: Mia
Thank you pure purple, The uni said that this course can be very flexible as many people work full time, I might be able to do it within 2 years, then I can progress onto the EYPS ( a further 15 months)- which is my end goal, plus during that time I would have to re-do english and maths gcse's! decisions decisions!!
by: purepurple
I am hoping to do PGCE instead of EYPS, as that will give me more points to get into New Zealand, which is my end goal!
I too will need to redo my maths
do it now, while the funding is still there, who knows what will happen in the future?
by: Mia
Thank you, I think I will as hopefully they will fund everything! I'm just very nervous at the thought of all that commitment on top of a full time job and a 4 year old!! I was very against doing the EYPS because of all the work I have to do before I even start it, but something inside of me has made me re-consider!
by: julie
I did the fd in children and young peoples services at derby uni part time where the lectures were in the evening for 2.5 hours with each module you had to attend lectures for 6-8 weeks then having around 6 weeks to complete the assignments. For many modules we were able to go to lectures on a saturday were you did all of the module study on one day and then had approx. 6-8 weeks to complete the assignment, It took me one year to complete the final year as I already had a nvq level 4. I found it quite easy to do along with working full time
by: Mia
I have an nvq 4 to, did they use alot of your work towards it?