Foundation Degree in Education and Care

Course information:
Foundation Degree in Education and Care

Course summary:
The Foundation Degree in Education and Care provides teaching assistants, nursery staff, school staff and mentoring/pastoral workers with a professional qualification to support their experience.

The course is designed specifically for teaching assistants, generic school staff and mentoring/pastoral support. It will help you to:

• Gain recognition for your existing skills
• Develop new skills and greater understanding of the education and care sectors
• Enhance your career prospects through a new employment related qualification
• Gain a wider perspective on your job role

Course content:

All students study:

• Study and self development
• How children develop and learn
• Promoting literacy and numeracy
• Equal opportunities
• Special educational needs

You will also choose one optional module from this list:

• Birth to three years
• Foundation stage
• Promoting learning across the curriculum
• Working with children from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Principles and practices of teaching English to speakers of other languages
• Implementing ICT in the curriculum
• Protection of children
• Social and political context of leadership within educational care

Course structure:
The course is part-time and is run over two years. Teaching is by experienced lecturers who have worked in education settings so they can fully support you in your studies. What you learn in the classroom will be complimented by work-based assessment; so there's plenty of opportunity to study in your own organisation and work role.

The course is taught at South Tyneside College's Hebburn campus.

Assessment procedure:
Assessment is coursework based and involves a range of tasks, reflecting the range of teaching and learning styles. Some of these will include:

• Formal written tasks
• Group presentations
• Independent learning
• Reflective diary
• Extensive research projects

Entry requirements:
You should normally have achieved:

• Three passes at GCSE grade C or above(or equivalent), this must include English.
• (The majority of programmes will accept a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology as equivalent to GCSEs)

PLUS one of the following:

• A level 3 qualification (A Level or equivalent)
• Recognised Foundation or Access Programme
• Other qualifications as deemed acceptable by the university
• 2 years experience working in an early years setting and have a letter of support from your employer

Qualifications achieved:
If you successfully complete the course you will graduate with a Foundation Degree in Education and Care from the University of Sunderland.

Progression opportunities:
The Foundation Degree is a valuable qualification in its own right. However, students who wish to continue their studies could join the final year of a Childhood Studies Degree.

Free study and financial support:
For more information about student loans and grants visit Student Finance England or download our Money Matters for Higher Education 2009/10 booklet.