Norland offers world-class degree-based training for students aspiring to be the very best professional early years practitioners.
Established in 1892 as the first institution to provide early years education and training, Norland uniquely combines academic theory with extensive practical skills and a wealth of hands-on experience. Students pursue two distinct qualifications: a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Education and Care, and the prestigious skills-based Norland Diploma.
Norland’s comprehensive and employability-focused training includes a value-added curriculum that teaches additional skills such as paediatric first aid, self-defence, cyber security, advanced driving skills and dedicated employment training. Norland’s extensive training is what sets its graduates apart and ensures high demand for fully qualified Norlanders, or Norland Nannies as graduates are known.
Norland was named the winner of the ‘Small or Specialist Provider’ award at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) in 2023. The award was Norland’s third WUSCA win and the sixth year in a row in the top two. In 2021, Norland was named the best university in the UK for enhanced graduate outcomes. In 2022, Norland won the Inspiring Course award at the UK’s Independent Higher Education Awards.
Graduates have outstanding employment prospects upon leaving and throughout their careers. Norland has its own dedicated employment agency, providing 100% employment through various opportunities to work with children and families around the world – earning among the highest average graduate salaries.
Norland is situated in historic Bath, a vibrant university city and a UNESCO world heritage site.
Norland students on Whatuni say:
“I have loved every moment of being at Norland so far. I felt as if I had joined a community within the first week, and I know I have made some friends for life at Norland. There is so many different opportunities from BA lectures, to sewing, food and nutrition, and placements at nurseries, schools, maternity wards and families. The lecturers are so supportive to all students. I have loved everything about Norland so far and I’ve only been here for 6 months.”
“Norland has amazing student support from all staff which is accessible whenever a student may need additional help. The lectures are engaging using a variety of teaching methods and environments. The staff listen to what the students may wish to adapt such as including breaks in lectures. Overall, Norland is incredibly supportive as well as encouraging.”
“I adore Norland, it’s such a close-knit family feel with so much support. There’s such a big focus on wellbeing, especially with the cost of living crisis, so much has been set up to support students.”
Norland offers a specialised three-year BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Education and Care, alongside the prestigious skills-based Norland Diploma – which is awarded after a fourth year in paid employment, arranged and supported by Norland (no tuition fees are payable for this year).
The BA programme draws on many disciplines including psychology, neuroscience, child health, philosophy, social sciences and education. Guest speakers are regularly invited to give students an opportunity to listen to experts working in the field.
Each year is divided into three trimesters with a minimum of eight placements provided, totalling 1,318 hours or approximately 40% of the course. Students experience a wide variety of early years settings across 8 placements, including nursery, school, hospital, special needs school settings, newborn care, and as a daily and live-in nanny. Norland students are the only non-medical ones allowed to attend placements on a busy hospital ward due to their exceptional training.
Classroom-based assessment methods for both courses include essays, presentations, viva, portfolios, displays and a work-based project.
The final module of the diploma is the Newly Qualified Nanny (NQN) year, a 12-month probationary nanny post in paid full-time employment arranged and supported by Norland. No tuition fees are payable in this fourth year.
Once fully qualified, graduates earn the professional title ‘Norlander’ or ‘Norland Nanny’.
Chat to current Norland students to find out more about the comprehensive degree-based training and student life on the Norland website.
Norland students on Whatuni say:
“The best aspect is how supportive the lecturing team are.”
“Supportive with assignments”
“The course is informative and the staff are very knowledgeable.”
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSNorland accepts a wide range of qualifications to gain entry onto its prestigious early years education course. Prior early years or childcare-related qualifications are not required, although applicants must have:
Students who require a student visa to attend Norland may also need to complete a SELT (Secure English Language Test). Prospective students are encouraged to consult the school’s visa manager if they need more information about this. Additionally, the Norland admissions team is available to respond to any questions about admission qualifications or criteria.
Full information on entry requirements for Norland can be found on its website.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONNorland does not have its own accommodation, so students tend to share houses with other students in the city of Bath. Norland guarantees and arranges accommodation for first-year students, if required.
All first-year accommodation is furnished and vetted by Norland staff. Accommodation sourced by Norland is within walking distance or a bus journey of campus. Second and third-year students are expected to find their own accommodation.
Norland provides a superb range of facilities and resources at its historic Bath campus, ensuring students have everything they need to succeed in their training. The campus is fully modernised and equipped with state-of-the-art teaching technologies. Facilities include:
Norland students on Whatuni say:
“Norland has incredible facilities such as our Food and Nutrition building where we can cook and expand our knowledge on preparing food for children”
“Great facilities”
“We have great facilities to support all learners.”
What's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 447 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWL Lily Reviewed 23 Feb 23 Early Childhood Education and Care BA (Hons) Lovely staff and... READ FULL REVIEW
E Eleanor Reviewed 23 Feb 23 Early Childhood Education and Care BA (Hons) The best aspect is how supportive the lecturing team are. The worst aspect is we don’t have a student uni.... READ FULL REVIEW
Norland students benefit from a close-knit, supportive and friendly environment. The student support service is available to help answer any questions or address any difficulties students may have.
Academic study skills sessions, wellbeing workshops and special seminars based on individual student learning requirements are provided. All students are allocated a personal tutor for academic advice and support.
Norland students are provided with free access to the digital support service ‘Togetherall’, which provides 24/7 support from trained professionals on a range of matters from everyday stresses to major life events. Free membership is also offered to the Headspace wellbeing app. A free and confidential counselling service to students is available on request. All students are entitled to six free private, one-to-one sessions with additional support available from partner charities and organisations.
Norland offers support for students with specific educational needs and/or disabilities. It provides help and guidance for students who wish to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
International students also benefit from a dedicated visa manager who provides specific support both before arriving in the UK and throughout their time at Norland.
Norland students on Whatuni say:
“Lovely staff and support”
“Lots of support.”
“The lecturers are so supportive to all students. I have loved everything about Norland so far and Ive only been here for 6 months.”
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITENorland is globally renowned for excellence in the early years field. Its specialism spans both theoretical and practical skills including:
Norland has won numerous awards for its specialist degree-based training and employability focus. It has consistently ranked as one of the top small and specialist higher education providers in the country, having won or come a close second every year of the past six years at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs).
Norland students on Whatuni say:
“Great in person teaching times and amazing placement opportunities”
“Lots of practical experiences gained through placements and diploma. Lots of contact with the lecturers”
“There are plenty of placements each year to give loads of experience to each student.”
Norland students experience a close-knit, friendly and inclusive environment of students dedicated to caring for and supporting children and families, and benefit from free access to the Bath Spa University Students’ Union.
Clubs include charity and campaigning societies, academic societies, sports clubs and interest-based societies.
Norland students on Whatuni say:
“The unique training. The community feel. The variety of extras to take part in especially sports”
“A sense of community and great student support.”
“Everybody is so friendly.”
Norland students are provided with free exclusive access to all clubs and societies at the Bath Spa Students’ Union.
Norland encourages student-led ideas for activities and provides funding, support and resources to run one-off events or long-term initiatives, such as running, climbing, netball and sewing clubs. Students can attend mindfulness sessions, pet therapy, fitness classes and join the Norland choir.
Community and charitable engagement are important aspects of Norland life, and students run an active charity committee, participating in local and national fundraising efforts.
The UNESCO Heritage Site City of Bath is a popular and beautiful student city, with Roman sites and elegant Georgian architecture. There’s a huge range of restaurants, museums, clubs, cafés, bars, shops, cinemas and galleries throughout the city, and the centre of Bath just a 15-minute walk or short bus ride from Norland’s main teaching campus.
Graduates are highly sought after as early years practitioners and have outstanding employment opportunities throughout their careers. Graduates go on to pursue successful careers in a variety of roles as nannies, maternity practitioners, nursery managers, teachers, university lecturers, paediatric nurses, in leadership roles, as consultants and other specialist early years positions.
Norland’s dedicated in-house employment agency places graduates in nanny and maternity practitioner positions all over the world. Demand has consistently outstripped supply for over 130 years, due to the exceptional reputation of Norlanders. In 2021/22, there were an average of 10 jobs for every fully qualified graduate seeking one through the agency.
The average earnings of Norland graduates are well above average graduate salaries, on a par only with medical and economics graduates. The average starting salary for a recently qualified Norland Nanny is £40,000, rising to £65,000 after five years.
Graduates also benefit from lifelong careers support, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training, and access to their own professional association and specialist career pathways through the Professional Association of Norlanders (PAN).
Students can visit the Norland website for further information about career opportunities.
Norland understands that the cost of study can be a significant consideration for many aspiring students and offers a number of means-tested bursaries each year to ensure that all students have the resources needed to study in confidence.
In the past five years, over £900,000 has been awarded in bursaries, providing around one in four students with financial support.
There are also several student loan options for Norland students.
Students from overseas Commonwealth countries may be eligible to apply for a Royal Commonwealth Society Bath and District Branch Scholarship.
Norland supports its students to learn while they earn and there is a strong demand for Norland students to provide childcare duties. Norland helps students to find term-time and holiday nannying and babysitting jobs through its Job Shop and the Marvellous Babysitting app. Students also have the opportunity to work for Norland as Student Charity Reps, Student Librarians, Student Brand Ambassadors as well as Staff and Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) members.
Further information about financial assistance is available on the Norland website.
Norland is committed to providing fair opportunities for students from all backgrounds, and works hard to keep course fees accessible to anyone with the desire to study hard, reach their fullest potential and qualify as a Norlander. The fees reflect the comprehensive training and specialist support for students studying two distinct qualifications. Full information on Norland tuition fees and other study costs are available on Norland’s website.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTIONMany courses at Norland offer an opportunity to do a work placement or sandwich year. These opportunities will help you develop your employability skills, and the careers department is also on hand to offer personal support.
As well as a wide range of courses on offer, Norland also has loads of clubs and societies you can join during your studies. Joining societies is just one of the many ways you can tailor your experience at Norland to suit you.
With a degree in a subject you love, you'll find more doors opening to jobs you'll love. Studies have also shown that graduates earn more on average compared to non-graduates.
If you want to continue to pursue education, you'll be able to progress to postgraduate study once you've got your undergraduate degree. You could opt to study a master's, or even get a PhD.
Living in uni halls means you'll have access to communal areas including kitchen and dining facilities. These facilities offer you plenty of opportunity to socialise with the students you're living with.
You'll also find all bills are included in your rent, and yes, that includes WiFi. Rent also covers security and maintenance. There are accessible rooms available in halls that have been adapted for disabled students.
