Abbie Deeming
Senior Lecturer in Education (ECYP)
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Learning and Teaching (FDLT)
Key Facts
Updated 04/12/2025
Updated 04/12/2025
The Foundation Degree in Learning and Teaching (FDLT) is designed for support staff who are currently working in schools and who wish to gain a recognised qualification specific to their role. The course aims to broaden and deepen teaching assistants’ understanding of children’s learning and to develop their ability to support teachers in raising pupil achievement. Participants are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of their work by analysing it in the context of relevant principles and research.
We also offer this programme with a SEND and Inclusive Provision pathway.
For overall student positivity – National Student Survey 2025
For Satisfied with Teaching for Education
NSS Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score. Guardian Data from the 2026 Education subject table.
Highlights
- Employment-based course to fit with your schedule.
- Recognised qualification for support staff working with children, young people and adults
- Exemption from certain modules if you have relevant prior qualifications
- Highly experienced and supportive tutor team
- Progression to honours degrees and teacher training programmes, as well as other roles within education
- HP Laptop and software included with this course for eligible students.* (* See eligibility criteria, terms and conditions apply)
Entry Requirements
Level 3 qualification, for example Level 3 diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning, NVQ Level 3, A levels (EE) or BTEC Diploma (PP), HLTA status or relevant professional development courses at HE level.
At least 12 months experience working as a TA or other learning support role within a school or comparable educational setting.
You should provide a full Education history, including details of any Level 3 qualifications you may have. If you do not have a full Level 3 Extended Diploma, we may ask you to submit a written task before providing you with an offer.
Maths and English GCSE’s are not required but are recommended, especially for applicants seeking entry into Teacher Training post-BALT.
You will need to provide details of your current workplace and job role, it would also be helpful to get a sense of your whole experience of working in education or alternative settings with children and young people. You can also provide details of other jobs you have had.
You should also provide a full supporting statement, detailing your professional background, why you would like to do the course and what will the course prepare you for in the long term (whether this is teaching or not).
You will need to ask your Headteacher to provide a supporting statement. This should be a character reference and an endorsement to release you from your workplace for one day a week.
An applicant who does not meet these criteria may be considered, depending on their ability to demonstrate their suitability for admission, e.g. by completion of a written task in lieu of qualifications.
Students may use Approval of Prior Learning scheme (APL) to apply for entry onto the programme as described in the University’s APL policy. Specifically, students who have achieved Higher Level Teaching Assistant status from a recognised provider may receive APL for the first year work-based practice module, PDT1081.
Applicants with 120 Level 4 credits from a programme similar or equivalent to Foundation Degree in Learning and Teaching may be considered for direct entry to Year 2 of the FDLT. Applications are considered individually depending upon applicants’ individual situation and combination of credits and experience achieved.
In order to achieve the named award above, students must meet all requirements of this award map.
For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- Minimum standard – IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent)
for study at undergraduate level.
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
What You'll Learn
As this is a Foundation Degree there is a high proportion of work based learning and this is reflected in the assessments. The program is designed to embrace the working situation of those supporting learning and teaching. The structure reflects your individual, professional and occupational context. It acknowledges the benefit that is to be gained from sharing common experiences and concerns. It involves you in broadening and deepening your understanding of your role, set in a specific professional and social context. It also reflects the need to assess your development of the skills, knowledge and understanding, professional values and attitudes applicable to your role at work.
The programme is designed to be completed within two calendar years, with the taught components arranged to accommodate the needs of those working in schools and other affiliated educational contexts.
The first year introduces you to what it means to be an undergraduate student, whereby you are supported through how to construct an undergraduate assignment as well as how the technology we use at the University will aid this process. Furthermore, you are introduced to concepts and frameworks that support the process of planning with your curriculum and the complexities that surround coming of age in the digital age.
To compliment this, you will undertake module PDT1081 Work-based practice: the reflective practitioner, which aims to provide you to be more critical regarding your own understanding of your practice in the workplace. You will undertake this module throughout the year as your knowledge and understanding develops over the course of the academic year.
The purpose of this module is to develop an understanding of the barriers to learning experienced by learners with diverse needs, including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)The module aims to enable students to develop strategies to support these learners within their settings and to promote inclusive practice.
The purpose of this module is develop students confidence and ability in using digital technology across the curriculum to support their own learning and that of the pupils they work with.
The purpose of this module is for students to investigate theories of learning and how these underpin comtemporary teaching and learning strategiesThey will explore how long, medium and short term planning is approached, and the factors that need to be taken into account during the planning process.
The purpose of this module is to provide an introduction to development of children and young peopleStudents will develop their knowledge of the holistic nature of development to underpin their understanding of factors affecting learning.
The purpose of this module is to facilitate students’ understanding of their professional roleStudents are introduced to the concept of reflective practice as a means for progressive and meaningful action planning when considering their own professional practiceStudents will apply wider ideas concerning well-being, mental health and pedagogy to their practice.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join our full-time FDLT degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
* UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)
Do I need to be employed in a school?
Yes, you need to be employed in a school for a minimum of 2.5 days a week. You need to have the support of your headteacher in a reference in your UCAS application and in an Employer’s Declaration Form. This will be sent to you by the university when you accept a place on the course.
How much experience do I need?
You will need at least 12 months of experience working in educational settings. This could be made up from volunteering and paid employment in a range of contexts and age groups.
How will I be taught?
Sessions are taught one day per week and your face-to-face teaching will be consolidated with online materials, work-based practice and personal tutoring.
You will spend one day per week at the University over two years, spending the rest of your time in your workplace, consolidating your academic studies and building experience.
How will I be assessed?
There are no exams. Instead, assessments include practical projects, presentations, assignments, research and portfolios of work practice.
Can I use my HLTA status to be exempt from part of Year 1?
You can use your HLTA status to exempt yourself from studying one module (PDT1081) in the first year of the course. If taken, this will make you a part time student in the first year.
Fees and Funding
2025/26 Tuition Fees
- UK Full Time: £9,535
- UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
Students who wish to complete this course in two years will be classed as full time even though attendance is only required one day a week. Students need to apply for funding as a full time student with Student Finance.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- UK – Full Time: £9,250
- UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
Students who wish to complete this course in two years will be classed as full time even though attendance is only required one day a week. Students need to apply for funding as a full time student with Student Finance.
Staff
Adam Chapman
Senior Lecturer in Education (ECYP)
Dominic Murphy
Senior Lecturer in Education (ECYP)
Devon Rossetti
Senior Lecturer in Education
Korrin Smith-Whitehouse
Senior Lecturer in Education (SEN and Inclusion)
Alexia Achtypi
Senior Lecturer in Education
Careers and Employability
This course gives you the opportunity to progress onto an honours degree and can provide a route to Qualified Teacher Status including through an employment-based scheme or similar.
Progression Courses
The University of Northampton is proud to offer a wide range of education courses that you can progress on to after completing your Learning and Teaching FdA award, on the basis you meet the minimum requirements.
