Professional Studies (Education)

Many of the students on this course are employed as Teaching Assistants in schools, working alongside a qualified teacher. They support formal learning opportunities for children and young people and may often take whole classes for sessions, or work with children who have a particular need. This Foundation Degree qualification is often seen as a step towards becoming a teacher, progressing in your role as a Teaching Assistant and extending your opportunities to become more senior within this sector. This pathway has a number of progression routes to enable you to achieve your goals.

In your first year, you will examine principles of learning as an introduction to higher education and investigate the complex relationship between practice and meeting individual needs. During the second year, you will study modules covering inclusion, equality and diversity, core curriculum subjects and assessment, along with continuing to develop your practice knowledge.

This work-focused degree is a combination of practice-based learning and campus-based sessions which run once a week, so that you are able to continue in employment throughout the course. The degree is designed to improve and develop your personal and professional communication skills, allows you to professionalise your approach and further your personal growth.

You will work with a range of experienced academic staff and be supported through peer-led groups, directed tasks and interactive web-based resources.

A variety of assessment methods are used including presentations, discussions, written assignments such as essays and reports and portfolios of work focused learning. All assessments allow you to reflect on your practice and theory as you evidence your learning.

Many of our Foundation degree graduates take on higher level roles specialising in areas such as family liaison, special education needs, higher level teaching assistants, mentoring or roles in the wider community and with local authorities.

The majority of students advance onto our Progression Routes to take their qualifications onto honours degree level. Like the Foundation degree these Progression Routes allow you to study and continue to work.