Teaching and Learning Support

Why study with us?

The programme is designed for all teaching and learning support staff working or volunteering in a supportive role in an education setting. Your work place will be your placement, allowing you to continue earning while you learn. The module assignments are linked directly to your experience in the work place as you build portfolios and use case studies and examples in assessments.

We have successfully run the foundation degree for the last ten years and many students have progressed to full BA (Hons) either with or without QTS (Primary).

What can this course lead to?

This course can help you progress into professional roles within education. Students will be eligible to gain access to a one year full-time (or equivalent) Level 6 top-up degree for the award of BA (Hons).

Students on placements in primary schools will be able to apply for a bridging unit and place on a programme leading to BA(Hons) Primary with QTS.

Resources and facilities

The Education Faculty is well established and has many highly qualified and experienced lecturers from primary, secondary and special schools. Students have access to ICT and eresources, library, student support, social and leisure facilities.

Have a look at our learning resources for Early Years Education, Primary education and Secondary Education.

Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: Not Applicable Selection criteria

Essential

• GCSE Grade C in English (or equivalent) is a requirement.
• Enhanced CRB clearance
• Students need to be working either in a paid or voluntary capacity in an education setting equivalent to at least one day per week throughout the course.
• Letter of recommendation of the employer who will be providing students with placement/employment including signed support form.
• The applicant must have been employed or a volunteer for a year (minimum of 30 days) before prior to application in an appropriate educational setting
• All applicants will be interviewed to assess their needs and suitability for the programme. The interview process includes a short literacy test, which will be used to assess the applicant’s standard of written English and an ICT audit of skills.
• Access to ICT to engage in work on the VLE

Advisable

It is strongly advised that those who do not have Mathematics at Grade C or equivalent gain this to support them on the programme. Those intending to progress to Primary QTS will need Mathematics and Science GCSE at Grade C or above.

APL Arrangements

Those applicants who already have appropriate qualifications such as Higher Level Teaching Assistant may have the opportunity to credit some level 4 modules.

Where applicants already hold 60 level 4 credits or more from a recent (within five years) and relevant programme may be considered for APL. Acceptance of applications for APL will follow the University APL procedures.

Costs

Click on the links below to view information for your home location.

Home students

The tuition fee for students starting study in the 2013/14 academic year is £6,200 (including an automatic £800 fee discount). This fee is billed annually. For part-time students, the annual fee is calculated based on the number of years you take to complete your course. For example, a student studying part-time for six years may expect to pay £3,100 per year (where the full-time option takes three years).

As a part-time UK student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning £21,000 (if you're from England) or £15,795 (if you're from Scotland). For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Part-time students may be eligible for one of 40 NSP awards worth up to £3,000.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

EU students

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £6,200 (including an automatic £800 fee discount). The tuition fee for students starting study in the 2013/14 academic year is £6,200 (including an automatic £800 fee discount). This fee is billed annually. For part-time students, the annual fee is calculated based on the number of years you take to complete your course. For example, a student studying part-time for six years may expect to pay £3,100 per year (where the full-time option takes three years).

As a part-time EU student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning £21,000 a year (or the equivalent in your country). For more information about student loans, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Part-time students may be eligible for one of 40 NSP awards worth up to £3,000.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Utilities trust

Modules

Level 4

• Professional Studies
• Undergraduate Learner
• Using Information and Communication Technology
• Child Development and Learning Needs
• Behaviour Management
• Supporting Numeracy in Your Setting
• Supporting Literacy in Your Setting

Level 5

• Professional Studies
• Inclusive Practice
• The Creative Curriculum
• Pastoral Care: Working with Families and Other Professionals
• Work Based Specialism
• Practice Based Research Project

For detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course.

Course summary

The Foundation Degree in Teaching and Learning Support is a work-based qualification for teaching assistants and support staff in primary and secondary schools and other educational settings. The learning experience grows out of the work-base and comes together with the knowledge and skills gained in the theory taught on modules in the university. You will develop critical and practical skills throughout the programme which enhance your personal and professional development.

The content of the course is directly relevant to the teaching and learning support role and includes modules on behaviour management, inclusion, pastoral care, and supporting literacy and numeracy. You will be able to use your employment in school as placement and so continue to earn as you learn. The programme is taught on a timetable designed to cause minimal disruption to your work and family commitments.

Many students have successfully completed the course and gained promotion or taken progression ‘top-up’ routes to full BA (Hons) and into primary teaching.

Case studies

"The tutors on the whole have been helpful; I have found all aspects of the course challenging as I have not studied for many years. The support services have been very useful during my time at the university, especially the library."

- Sharon Caunce, class of 2011