UWTSD’s Early Years Team celebrates graduation in Cardiff.
25.11.2022
The Early Years team from The University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Childhood, Youth and Education, are delighted to be in Cardiff celebrating the graduation of the Fast Track Flexible learning graduates who studied the BA (Hons) Early Years Education and Care: Early Years Practitioner Status degrees.
Being in Cardiff is especially powerful as many of the students graduating are part of UWTSD’s Early Years Cardiff community group where the degree is delivered in the community allowing students to access learning in a place that is convenient to them. This type of community provision is in line with UWTSD’s widening access agenda and provides early years practitioners across south Wales the opportunity to develop their learning while still being able to work in the sector. Students have accessed degrees locally and are now moving into new and exciting careers due to having provisions so close to their homes.
Natalie Macdonald the Programme Director highlights:
“It is always such a proud moment for us to see our students graduate and have the opportunity to celebrate their success with them. The commitment and achievement of the students are truly inspiring and we believe in the power of taking education out to students in the community. For our team in UWTSD, ‘transforming education, transforming lives’ is not just a statement – we see it through our incredible students and graduates every day.”
Three students who benefited from the Cardiff Early Years community degree were:
Liz Bergelin. She said:
“I will be forever grateful to the Early Years team at UWTSD. Firstly, for creating this course and making it available for people like me who work full-time in the Early Years sector and find it difficult to progress further due to work commitments, time and finances. And secondly, because they made it so accessible for students who did not live in Carmarthen or Swansea. The team provided a fantastic blend of online and face-to-face learning in a welcoming and friendly environment.
“Attending lectures for just one evening a week for just 2 years made it easy to fit into my busy schedule. Since graduating from UWTSD with my degree in Early Years Education and childcare, I am now on my way to becoming a Primary school teacher by studying for my PGCE. I would not have been able to do this without the supportive and accessible structure of the course and the amazing Early Years team. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”
Rhian Pittard, another student that found the community degree beneficial adds:
“ Studying for my undergraduate degree was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I could not have completed the course if it hadn't taken place in the evenings, due to work and family commitments. Since completing the course in July, I have gone back to university to study for my PGCE Primary, which I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do so without completing this degree."
Student Mahbuba Chowdhury also mentioned:
“I am pleased that I have finally finished my degree, which makes me feel proud of myself. I knew it would not be easy, but the constant reassurance, help and support provided by our lecturers made it easy for me. There was a helpful attitude from the lecturer, which made me feel more comfortable and made it easy to explain my difficulties regarding my studies. Every time I struggled and needed that extra support, my assessors were always available and happy to support me and came up with a range of support options which I was unaware of and helped me to keep up with my studies. I always felt listened to and equally important. As I live in Cardiff, our campus being in Cardiff was convenient for me to attend the lectures.”
Taking learning to the student has been part of the vision of the Childhood, Youth and Education Centre since its inception with courses delivered in Pembrokeshire, Aberystwyth, Swansea and Carmarthen in recent years.
Early Years is now crossing the border beyond Wales and from 2023 students studying at UWTSD Birmingham campus will be able to study BA (Hons) Early Years Education and Care: Early Years Practitioner Status.
The team are delighted to see so many students graduating today and will continue to promote access to higher education within and beyond the campus.
Further Information
Lowri Thomas, Principal Communications and PR Officer
07449 998476
