Learning and Teaching (FDLT)

• Overview

  If you work in a school and have a role supporting teaching and learning, for example as a teaching assistant, unqualified teacher, cover supervisor, learning mentor, HLTA or learning support assistant, the Foundation Degree in Learning and Teaching is a recognised qualification for your role and could provide opportunities for career development.

  Course

  Highlights

  • Two locations to study from based on student numbers.
  • Employment-based course to fit with your schedule.
  • Recognised qualification for teaching assistants

  HP Laptop and software included with this course.*

  *Terms and Conditions apply

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  This course aims to develop your understanding of children’s learning and build on your ability to support teachers in raising pupil achievement, as well as looking at some of the wider aspects of school provision. You will be encouraged to analyse your work in the context of best practice, relevant principles and research.  The course also provides support for developing and extending the skills, knowledge and understanding related to the Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) professional standards.

  The FDLT is equivalent to the first two years of a full time undergraduate honours degree, and you can progress to the BA (Hons) Learning and Teaching Top-up to achieve a Bachelor’s degree. Our programme is specifically designed for teaching assistants to help with your professional development. Attendance one day a week at university helps to fit your study around your work. By the end of this course you will be able to demonstrate excellent practice, underpinned by theoretical understanding, through a range of assignments and portfolios of evidence. Our experienced and supportive tutors, alongside mentors in your workplace, will help you to excel.

  Modules are designed to extend your professional competence and understanding beyond the HLTA standards.  Please note that none of the modules confer HLTA status. If you have prior relevant higher education qualifications, or are already an HLTA, you may be able to get exemption for some modules.

  Each year of this qualification gives you 120 Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) – year one at level four and year two at level five.

  At 240 CATS points, you will be able to progress, through a third year, to the BA (Hons) Learning and Teaching degree.

  This course is taught at two venues, subject to numbers:

  • University of Northampton, Waterside Campus
  • Devonshire Place, London Road, Leicester LE2 0LA

  Assessments

  There are no exams. Instead, assessments include practical projects, presentations, assignments, research and portfolios of work practice.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Methods of Learning and Schedule

  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.

• Careers and Events
  • Open Days

    Discover your Course

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying with us.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Student Stories

    Thomas Sharpe

    Thomas started his studies as a mature student and it was vital to him to be able to maintain his other commitments during his studies. The course’s flexibility enabled him to continue working and earning while he studied.

    “My experience at the University of Northampton was challenging but extremely rewarding. The course helped me to develop those essential critical thinking skills and evaluate my own performance at work, identifying areas for improvement. I have sought pathways from this to help me achieve my targets and develop professionally. My understanding of broader education issues is already proving beneficial within my own practice, and I intend to continue critically examining it to ensure that I continue developing.”

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    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.

    
• Requirements

  You must demonstrate the ability to undertake intermediate degree level study, through prior qualifications at NVQ level 3 or equivalent. Appropriate levels of numeracy and literacy are required to support learners in schools and usually a minimum of two years’ experience working as a teaching assistant.

  For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  English Language Requirements

  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.

   

  Contacts

  Course Enquiries

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2

  • Work-based Practice: The Practitioner's Role (40 Credits)
    Module code: PDT1067

    Core Module Y
  • Pupil Engagement and Assessment (20 Credits)
    Module code: PDT1065

    Core Module Y
  • Introduction to SEND, Diversity and Inclusion (20 Credits)
    Module code: PDT1066

    Core Module Y
  • English and Maths: Core Subjects (20 Credits)
    Module code: PDT1068

    Core Module Y
  • Using Digital Technology to Inspire and Support Learning (20 Credits)
    Module code: PDT1076

    Core Module Y

  • Planning and Professional Development (20 Credits)
    Module code: PDT2017

    Core Module Y
  • SEND, Diversity and Inclusion: School Based Project (20 Credits)
    Module code: PDT2018

    Core Module Y
  • English and Maths: Cross Curricular Approaches (20 Credits)
    Module code: PDT2020

    Core Module Y
  • Work Based Practice: Reflective Practices (40 Credits)
    Module code: PDT2019

    Core Module Y
  • Using Experiences Outside the School to Inspire and Support Learning (20 Credits)
    Module code: PDT2016

    Core Module Y

  Module information is quoted for 19/20 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  • recognised qualification for teaching assistants
  • employment-based course designed to fit with your work
  • 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
• Further Studies
  • Progression Courses

    Further your Study

    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.

    Learning and Teaching Top-Up BA 

    
  • Research

    We are committed to delivering outstanding research that makes a difference to society. Our Research Institutes and Centres work closely with external partner organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. We produce internationally renowned and relevant research and disseminate knowledge on an international scale.

    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,450 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.

  Additional Costs

  There are currently no additional costs anticipated for this course for 2020 entry.

  Please note that tuition fees for EU students will remain the same as UK fees for 2020/21. For more information, please visit the Gov UK website.

  2019/2020

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,400 per 20 credit module

  Please note that tuition fees for EU students will remain the same as UK fees for 2019/20. For more information, please visit the Gov UK website.

  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.

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

*Course data provided by Unistats