Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (Full Track)
SwissUK™ Dual Qualification
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education is a recognised three-year programme that awards qualifications at each stage, allowing learners to earn industry-valued credentials annually and enter the workforce even before completing the full degree. Upon graduation, learners receive both a Swiss Private Degree from SIMI Swiss and a UK public-university degree awarded by Teesside University.
The SwissUK Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education is the first programme integrating the National Competency Framework for Early Years Teacher (average salary £32,559/year) and combining the excellence of Swiss private education with the UK RQF system recognised by Ofqual (UK Government).
By merging national competencies, a Swiss Private degree, and a UK-recognised qualification, SwissUK ensures graduates are fully prepared for any pathway. With annual national qualification awards, students can start working from their first year, reducing risks and supporting their study costs.
Swiss Made. UK Government Recognised.
Qualifications
- OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Children and Early Childhood from Teesside University
- Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from SIMI Swiss
Promotion
Delivery
Awarding
- Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI)
- Teesside University (a UK Public University)
- OTHM (Ofqual UK.Gov Awarding Body)

UK ENIC Band
The Bachelor dual qualification is aligned with RQF Level 6 and has been assessed by UK ENIC as comparable to Band 7 within the UK qualification framework.

Recognised in the United Kingdom
Qualifications awarded by Teesside University and OTHM are quality-assured by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and are regulated and recognised by the UK Government.

Recognised in Switzerland
Bachelor graduates from SIMI Swiss can work in Switzerland immediately, as managerial roles are considered non-regulated occupations.

National Occupational Standards
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Dual Qualification aligned with the Early Years Teacher framework — leading to Early Years Teacher status with a UK median salary of £32,559 per year.

Recognised internationally
Recognised under UK RQF Level 6, the Dual Qualification Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education is accepted as equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in over 180 countries and territories.

Quickly Learn a New Major
With its unique structure combining a UK-recognised qualification and Swiss private higher-education excellence, learners can switch majors quickly without starting over.
Programme Details
The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (Full Track) programme lasts 3 years:
Year 1 Modules – Level 4 Stage
- Academic Writing and Research Skills (20 UK Credits)
- Nurturing Growth and Development in Early Childhood (20 UK Credits)
- Fostering Collaborative and Inclusive Relationships in Early Childhood Setting (20 UK Credits)
- Learning and Development Through Play (20 UK Credits)
- Unlocking Words: Exploring Early Language and Communication (20 UK Credits)
- Early Personal, Social and Emotional Development (20 UK Credits)
Year 2 Modules – Level 5 Stage
- Exploring Early Years Pedagogy and Best Practices (20 UK Credits)
- Understanding Child Behaviour: Theoretical Perspectives and Insights (20 UK Credits)
- Inclusion and Diversity: Supporting Children with Special Needs and Disabilities in Early Education (20 UK Credits)
- Safeguarding; Child Protection and Keeping Children Safe (20 UK Credits)
- Emerging Literacies in the Early Years and Digital Resources (20 UK Credits)
- Understanding Transitions in Early Childhood (20 UK Credits)
Year 3 – Final-Year Stage of the Bachelor’s Degree with Teesside University
- Diversity and Inclusion in Childhood
- Ethical Practice for Working with Children
- Extended Practice Project: Critical Report
- Global Childhoods
During Bachelor Final Year Stage, learners will study under the coordination and delivery of SIMI Swiss’s official partner in the United Kingdom. This global learning experience enhances international exposure and strengthens cross-border connections with faculty members, industry experts, and fellow learners from diverse regions.
Upon graduation, students will receive:
- Level 5 Extended Diploma in Early Childhood Education from OTHM (UK government-recognized, equivalent to Year 2 of a Bachelor’s degree in the UK ENIC/NARIC Band 8).
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Children and Early Childhood from Teesside University.
- Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from SIMI Swiss.
- Learners must be at least 18 years old at the start of the course and have completed high school or an equivalent qualification.
- Mature learners (aged 21 and above) with management experience may also be considered; applicants should confirm eligibility with SwissUK™ before registration.
- English proficiency must be at least at CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level B1 or IELTS 5.0
The programme is delivered through a real-time online Live Class model, where learners study and interact directly with SIMI Swiss lecturers via a live training platform.
It follows the SIMI Swiss Direct™ model — meaning learners study directly with SIMI Swiss, without any partnerships, franchising, or intermediaries. This ensures full access to the original programme content, without modification, while eliminating third-party risks and issues related to unauthorised local training.
Accredited & Recognized
- Strong dual recognition: Swiss Private Degree + UK National Qualification
- Better employability in Switzerland & the United Kingdom in the field of early childhood education
- Eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa in the UK thanks to achieving RQF Level 6 qualification recognised by the UK Government
- Global recognition through compatibility between RQF/EQF frameworks and other national qualification systems(*). See more HERE
- UK Early Years Teacher Competency Standard: easily demonstrates competencies for real-world management roles with an average salary of £32,559/year. See more HERE
- Expanded opportunities to progress to a Master’s degree internationally*
(*) Recognition, progression, and further study — in addition to the general recognition of Switzerland and the UK — also depend on the specific regulations of the receiving institution or competent authority. Learners should verify acceptance in advance according to international practice.
About the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss)
SIMI Swiss is a SwissUK™ Higher Education Institute that unites the excellence of Swiss Private Higher Education with the nationally recognised qualification framework of the United Kingdom Government, regulated by Ofqual (UK.Gov). SIMI Swiss holds full international accreditation and awards dual qualifications, combining a Swiss Private Degree with a nationally recognised qualification from the United Kingdom, upholding globally recognised academic standards.
References:
About Teesside University (UK Public University)
Teesside University is a public university in the United Kingdom, recognised and regulated by the UK Government. It operates within the national higher education system and is subject to oversight by the Office for Students (OfS) and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Rankings and Recognition:
- Top 68 universities in the United Kingdom
- Top 11 in Mechanical Engineering in the UK (2019)
- Top 18 in Biosciences in the UK (2019)
- Top 12 in Chemical Engineering in the UK (2019)
- Top 23 in English & Creative Writing in the UK (2019)
- Top 22 in Health Sciences & Health Professions in the UK (2019)
Reference:
- Official website of Teesside University HERE
About the awarding body – OTHM, an Ofqual-regulated UK Government Awarding Organisation
- Institutional recognition: OTHM is regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the official education regulator of the UK Government. Ofqual recognition number: RN5284. View the official recognition information HERE.
- Programme recognition: The OTHM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Early Childhood Education is Ofqual-regulated under qualification code 610/4867/7. View the official recognition information HERE.
References:
- How to verify OTHM regulation and recognition: HERE
The SwissUK™ Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education programme from SIMI Swiss integrates the UK Government-regulated national competency framework for the Early Years Teacher role (see more HERE). This integration not only enables learners to obtain a UK Government-recognised Level 6 national qualification but also offers the following advantages:
- Learn the competencies employers need: Beyond theory, students develop full KSBs (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) aligned with the UK Government occupational standard.
- Easier competency verification for employment: Each Learning Outcome (LO) is mapped to professional criteria, enabling employers to assess and trust graduates’ abilities from the recruitment stage.
- Gain early opportunities for career advancement: The qualification is standardized according to national professional competency levels, enabling learners to qualify for recognized occupational roles.
- Globally competitive earnings: Early Years Teacher roles have an average salary of £32,559 per year in the United Kingdom.
- Internationally recognised employability profile: Competency standards are applied in multinational organisations, supporting global career mobility.
- Reduced unemployment and career-misalignment risks: Learners can enter employment early through the staged recognition and awarding of national qualifications.
- A strong advantage over traditional Bachelor programmes: While many graduates struggle to define their professional capabilities, SwissUK™ students graduate with a clear, internationally validated competency profile — and can fully evidence it.
Key advantage over traditional Bachelor’s programmes: While many graduates struggle to find direction after completing their studies, SwissUK™ students graduate with clearly defined professional competencies and the ability to demonstrate them confidently to employers.
The programme awards three qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education – awarded by SIMI Swiss (Switzerland)
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Children and Early Childhood – awarded by Teesside University (UK Public University)
- OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Teaching and Learning – awarded by OTHM (United Kingdom)
These three qualifications are fully integrated, creating maximum strength and value for graduates upon completion.
Yes.
- The OTHM qualification is regulated by Ofqual (UK Government), ensuring national standards of quality, transparency, and compliance in the United Kingdom.
- Teesside University is a UK Public University under the UK’s national higher education system.
- SIMI Swiss is an international higher education institute operating under the Swiss Private HEI model, registered and governed in the Canton of Zug. It is responsible for the academic value of its Private Degree programmes in accordance with Swiss law.
- Check the programme on SVEB HERE.
Yes.
- The OTHM qualification is part of the RQF and regulated by Ofqual, and it is recognised at the Bachelor’s Degree Level within the UK education system.
- Teesside University is fully recognised as a UK public university with government-approved degree-awarding powers.
References:
The Qualification Recognition Certificate issued by the Representative of the UK Department for Education is the highest-level document confirming the status of a graduate’s qualification, serving to authenticate and recognise:
- Verification that the qualification is recognised in the United Kingdom.
- Recognition of the qualification’s level and position within the UK national qualification frameworks, including all three frameworks:
- The Regulated Qualifications Framework of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (RQF)
- The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
- The Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW)
Example: A qualification recognised by the UK Department for Education with the notation UK Framework Levels – RQF Level 6 / SCQF Level 9 / CQFW Level 6 means that the qualification is classified at the BACHELOR’S level across the entire United Kingdom and holds academic validity in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Confirmation that the awarding institution is recognised by the UK Government.
- Confirmation of the entry requirements for obtaining the qualification.
- Confirmation of the assessment and examination procedures.
- Confirmation of the graduate’s competency and employability.
- Confirmation of progression opportunities for further study within the UK National Education System after completing the qualification.
Yes.
Within the Swiss employment system, language instructors and teachers working in private educational institutions fall under professions that may be hired based on internationally recognized private qualifications.

Language Teacher roles do not require any additional professional licensing or external recognition in Switzerland.

Teacher at Language Schools roles likewise do not require any additional professional licensing or other forms of recognition in Switzerland.
The Governments of Switzerland and the United Kingdom have signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications, effective from 01/01/2025. Under this agreement, professional qualifications issued in either country may be submitted for recognition when applying for a professional licence in the other country, including professions that fall under the professionally regulated category—those requiring a licence to practise.
As a result, qualifications within the SwissUK™ education system—particularly programmes awarded by Ofqual Awarding Bodies—are eligible to be submitted as part of the initial application for recognition or for obtaining a new professional licence in Switzerland, in accordance with the mechanisms defined in the agreement.
References:
- Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications from the UK Government: HERE
- Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement on Professional Qualifications from the Swiss Government: HERE
- List of approximately 200 regulated professions requiring a professional licence under the Swiss–UK Mutual Recognition Agreement (qualifications within the SwissUK™ system—including those from Ofqual Awarding Bodies—are eligible for initial assessment according to the agreement): HERE
UK ENIC benchmarks RQF Level 6 at Band 9, which is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree. See more details HERE
Yes.
According to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), RQF Level 6 is aligned with EQF Level 6. See more details HERE
Yes. It may be evaluated as equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree or Bachelor-level, depending on the individual application, through:
- CICIC (Canada)
- WES (USA/Canada)
The final outcome depends on the purpose of the evaluation and the independent assessment conducted by these agencies. See more details HERE
Yes.
The qualification integrates the competency standards for the Early Years Early Years Teacher role – Occupational Code LAR402 under the UK occupational framework. See more details HERE
According to labor market data from the United Kingdom, the average annual salary for the Early Years Education Professional group (which includes manager roles aligned with this programme) is £32,559 per year. See more details HERE
Yes.
QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) is the national professional teaching status in the United Kingdom. It is awarded by the Society for Education and Training (SET), the professional body under the Education and Training Foundation (ETF).
See more: HERE
Note: Since 2012, the UK Government (DfE) has recognized that:
“Teachers who achieve QTLS status and are members of the Society for Education and Training (SET) are recognised as equivalent to QTS holders in schools.”
Therefore, individuals who hold QTLS and maintain SET membership are recognized as equivalent to QTS when teaching in schools in the United Kingdom.
Yes, it can.
Candidates may apply through the Assessment Only Route if they meet the following requirements:
- A qualification at Bachelor’s Level (RQF Level 6) – the qualification from this program meets this requirement.
- Sufficient teaching experience and competency evidence as required by the regulations.
See more details HERE.
Yes.
According to the Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules (effective 2025), the minimum qualification level for the Skilled Worker Visa has been raised to RQF Level 6.
A qualification at RQF Level 6 meets the mandatory academic requirement.
See more details HERE
No.
The Early Years Teacher – LAR402 occupational standard in the United Kingdom does not impose subject-specific restrictions.
Your ability to teach particular subjects depends on:
- Your professional competence
- The requirements of the hiring institution
See the national occupational standard for the Early Years Teacher role HERE
Yes. Learners are eligible to apply for further levels of study through international programmes such as:
- PGCE (QTS pathway)
- MA TESOL / Applied Linguistics
- M.Ed / Education Leadership
Reference: Recognition of RQF/EQF Level 6 as a Bachelor’s degree under international education standards. See more details: HERE
Yes.
- SIMI Swiss provides consular legalization services for its qualifications. See more HERE.
- OTHM offers an online qualification verification system via QR Code. See more HERE.
- The UK Department for Education confirms that OTHM qualifications (including those bearing the SIMI name) are officially recognised by the UK Government and mapped to RQF Level 6 / SCQF Level 9 / CQFW Level 6 (Bachelor’s Level).
Information relating to the programme, the qualification, its accreditation status, and any associated recognition frameworks is derived from official publications issued by the UK Government, statutory regulatory authorities, and other competent bodies. All information is accurate as of the date of publication; however, it may be amended, revised, or withdrawn at any time without prior notice, pursuant to updates in applicable policies, regulations, or statutory instruments.
Although recognition, cross-recognition, and equivalency frameworks are established on transparent, objective, and verifiable criteria, each country, ministry, governmental department, professional body, or receiving institution retains sole discretion and full adjudicatory authority to determine whether a qualification is recognised, accepted, or deemed equivalent under its internal regulations and legal jurisdiction. Accordingly, learners bear full responsibility for verifying recognition requirements directly with the relevant authority or institution before relying on the qualification for any legal, academic, or professional purpose.
In accordance with principles of transparency and jurisdictional compliance, SIMI Swiss, UKeU®, OTHM, and all related parties do not make any commitment or representation regarding qualification recognition, equivalency, immigration status, or professional licensing in any country, ministry, department, or regulatory body.
This information is provided to ensure accuracy and transparency in public communication, consistent with international standards and best practices in academic disclosure.
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