Access to HE Diploma (Childhood Studies) - Level 3

Our Access to Childhood Studies course will help you learn a range of skills:

• Children's holistic development, 0-12 years
• Legislation and policy relating to children, e.g. safeguarding, curriculum frameworks
• Practical childcare skills
• Observing children
• Working in partnership
• Becoming a reflective practitioner
• HE study skills
• Research skills

The College of West Anglia is a long-standing provider of Access to Higher Education courses and has worked with adult learners for many years. From joining us at the college, you'll be using the modern facilities in our university centre, have a good level of tutor access and support (due to our smaller class sizes) and benefit from all of our links with local employers.

You should have:

• A grade 4 (C) or above in GCSE English or maths (or equivalent) as the reading load is appropriate to a Level 3 Diploma qualification. You will also be expected to support your setting's literacy and numeracy activities.

If you do not have these grades, you will be invited to attend an information session / interview to determine suitability. We may be able to consider your application if you have suitable work experience and a willingness to complete GCSEs in English and maths alongside the course. You also need a clear Enhanced DBS check to be able to work with children in placement. Work placement is a mandatory component of this course.

How long is this course?

1 year

When does this course start?

03/09/2026

How many hours / days per week is this course?

This course will run on Thursdays and Fridays through face-to-face delivery.

What can I do after this course at CWA?

Following successful completion of this course, you will be able to progress to either our FdA or BA degrees in Early Years.

Fee information

Adult (19+) learners

Depending on your age, course, educational history and personal circumstances, there may be options available for you to receive a course fully-funded by the government. Our fee calculator will help give you an idea on whether you'll be able to have your course fee waived or covered by an Advanced Learner Loan.

Complete our fee calculator

Learners with an active Education, Health & Care Plan

If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and have an active Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), any course up to and including level 3 will be fully-funded by the government. This means you will not have a course fee to pay and any equipment considered essential to complete your course will be provided by the college.

What qualification will I achieve?

CAVA Access to Higher Education in Childhood Studies

How is my course assessed?

You'll be assessed through numerous assignments and practical assessments.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

The number of UCAS tariff points for an Access to Higher Education diploma varies between 48 and 144 points, depending on your grade for each module.

Access to Higher Education qualifications are split into a total of 45 graded credits and each module will have a different credit weighting (for example, one module may be worth 3 units and another may be worth 6). For each graded module, you'll achieve a pass, merit or distinction and these each carry a different amount of UCAS points (with pass being the lowest and distinction being the highest).

For example, if you pass each graded module, you will achieve 48 UCAS points. If you gain a distinction in each graded module, you will achieve 144 UCAS points (equivalent to three A grades at A Level).

We've included some examples below of what grades you need to achieve common UCAS tariff point entry requirements:

You can find more details on the UCAS Tariff points calculator here.