Course Overview

This work-based Foundation Degree program combines practice-based learning and campus-based teaching sessions once a week, allowing you to continue working or volunteering throughout the course. Throughout the two-year program, you will integrate your previous experience working with children into your studies.

In your first year, you will study learning principles as an introduction to higher education and analyze the complex link between practice and meeting the needs of children. You will investigate your role in the education sector to support your professional development. As you go through the second year, you will study concepts of inclusion, equality, and diversity and study modules on learning and assessment. You can collaborate with students from other related courses who work in various contexts, such as early childhood and youth services, to increase your employability by broadening your perspectives on working with children and young people.

Many of the students on this course are employed as Teaching Assistants in schools, working alongside a qualified teacher. They support formal learning opportunities for children and young people and may often take whole classes for sessions or work with children with a particular need. This Foundation Degree qualification is often seen as a step towards becoming a teacher, progressing as a Teaching Assistant, and extending your opportunities to become more senior within this sector. This course has several top-up degrees to enable you to achieve your goals.

General Eligibility

Typically, a minimum of one year’s experience in practice with a minimum of two days a week (minimum of 12 hours per week accumulating to 360 hours per year of study in a relevant role, either as an employee or a volunteer).

In exceptional cases, it might be appropriate to recruit students directly from a Level 3 apprenticeship or another course in which it can be demonstrated that there is a significant element of professional practice. In such a case, this decision will be based on the suitability of the applicant:

• Typically, a Level 3 Diploma, NVQs, access to HE programs, and subject/vocational qualifications.

• Written support from the head teacher/workplace manager in which the applicant works or volunteers.

Part Time Work Details

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• N/A