Foundation Degree (FdA) Educational Practice

About the course

This work-based Foundation Degree is aimed at those wishing to enter or progress their careers in the education sector. Applicants must be either employed or volunteer in a school or college. Working roles are usually as a teaching assistant or classroom support assistant.

Course Content

Year One

• Developing Skills for Learning
• Understanding How Individuals Learn and Develop
• Technology in Learning
• Developing Literacy
• Developing Mathematics
• Understanding Planning for Learning
• Equality and Diversity

Year Two

• Mentoring and Pastoral Support in Education
• Supporting Individual Needs
• Developing Reflective Practice
• Impact of Behaviour on Learning
• Preparing for Practice-based Study
• Research Project

Entry requirements

Typically, applicants will need one of the following:

• BTEC, NVQ or other appropriate vocational qualification at Level 3
• An appropriate A Level, or six-unit vocational A Level
• International Baccalaureate (25 points).

Applicants will be required to have a minimum of two years work experience, currently undertaking 10 hours per week (paid or voluntary) in a school or college, and provide a reference to demonstrate that their employer is prepared to support the placement. Applicants with evidence of considerable experience in a relevant role who do not have the formal qualifications are welcome to apply. All applicants will be required to attend an interview at the College. As part of the entry requirements students are also required to have a DBS check.

Where next?

The Foundation Degree is a Level 5 HE qualification which recognises and validates the skills and knowledge needed for a variety of educational roles. On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, you may wish to progress on to the one year top-up programme at Level 6, BA (Hons) Education and Lifelong Learning, or the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies. Once you successfully complete this, you may apply for Initial Teacher Training programmes such as PGCE. Please note, you will need to have achieved English, Maths and Science at GCSE grade 4/C and above to apply and study the Primary PGCE (for Secondary and FE Colleges, English and Maths are a requirement).

Work experience and employability

N/A

What additional resources will I need?

N/A

Fees information

Tuition fees for 2020 entry: £7,570 per annum.

Students enrolling on this course can apply for the Higher Education Scholarship.

Contact

For queries about the course, please contact the course leader: traceycanham@swindon.ac.uk

For general enquiries, please contact: enrolment@newcollege.ac.uk

Important COVID-19 update – Information about how courses and teaching may be affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.