Foundation Degree in Teaching & Learning Support
240 credits (120 at Level 4, and 120 at Level 5)

This programme is validated, and quality assured by the University of Worcester and delivered at Halesowen College as a partner of the University.

For any queries regarding this course please contact:
Carole Barber
Email: cbarber@halesowen.ac.uk

Whittingham Campus

For many young people, learning support assistants are an essential part of their educational journey. The role requires patience and integrity and brings with it considerable responsibilities and substantial rewards.

The Teaching and Learning Support FdA is designed for individuals who are currently working or volunteering within primary or secondary schools. It aims to draw upon your existing knowledge and experience, and to support you to develop new skills and knowledge. With an emphasis on work-based assignments, your learning is orientated around your practical experience. The aim of this course is to further your personal and professional development and open the door to possible additional study and routes into teaching.

The course is timetabled over a single day in each teaching block to enable students to easily fit studying around their work commitments.

This programme provides:

An ideal opportunity to study whilst employed, delivery of this course is designed to work around your employment. Teaching takes place on a single day in each teaching block to simplify time management around work and other responsibilities.

Top up opportunities at the University of Worcester, include our BA Education Studies and BA (Hons) Teaching in Primary Education with recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (Top Up) programmes: Early Years (3-7) or Later Years (5-11)

A route into teaching; upon successful completion of your foundation degree you are guaranteed an interview for the Teaching in Primary Education BA (Hons) with QTS Top Up.

Support your professional development by exploring topics as diverse as the curriculum, managing challenging behaviour, inclusive education and exploring children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Full Time: Two Years

Part Time: Three years

Level 4 Mandatory Modules

• Preparing for Study
• The Creative Curriculum (1) Supporting Literacy and Numeracy
• The Creative Curriculum (2) Creativity and Learning
• Child Development
• Understanding Learning Support
• Managing Challenging Behaviour
• Partnerships in Education
• Wider Aspects of Disability

Level 5 Mandatory Modules

• Introduction to Research Methods
• Inclusion in Theory and Practice
• Supporting Additional Needs
• School Based Study (double module)
• Talking and Listening with others
• An Introduction to Social Care Strategies: Meeting the National Agenda
• Evaluation and Change

You will be taught through a combination of modules, which work towards student independence. Within the practical-based modules, this is achieved through work related assignments and a programme that gradually transfers responsibility for learning to you as the student. Learning occurs in a context that enables you to relate what you are learning to what you already know and to guide you through subsequent general reading. The source material in these modules is not confined to lectures but includes a range of appropriate strategies such as structured and general reading, video material, observation, experiential learning.

In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least 4 occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

You will have an opportunity to engage with learning through a comprehensive range of learning and teaching strategies which include:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Group Work
• Practical activities
• Problem-based learning

Work-based activities and assignments will enable you to engage with your own practice and to share your knowledge and expertise with others. You will also undertake a work-based study in your second year, which allows you, with tutorial support, to focus on a particular area of interest within your professional practice.

Lectures enable the delivery of theory while seminars and workshops provide a space for the discussion and development of understanding. Practical activities and problem-based learning will form part of your teaching so that you can link theory to practice within schools to support you as a practitioner now and in future careers.

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments, which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

Assessment methods include:

• Written assignments
• Individual and group presentations
• Case studies
• Reflective portfolio entries
• Problem based learning
• Learning journals / reflective journals
• Seminars
• Independent Studies
• Workplace investigations
• Self-evaluation / needs analysis
• Evaluations of processes and resources
• Poster/leaflet presentations /Production of workplace resources
• Literature critiques

Full-time students should apply via UCAS Apply, using the UCAS code: X300.

• Click here to watch a video on how to use UCAS Apply

If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions office on 01905 855111 or admissions@worc.ac.uk

If your qualifications are not listed, please contact the University of Worcester Admissions Office for advice on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice

Please make part-time applications via University of Worcester’s online application form here. If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions office on 01905 855111 or admissions@worc.ac.uk.

32 UCAS Tariff points, plus current/recent experience of working with learners, a minimum of two years experience employed or working in a voluntary capacity within an appropriate educational setting is desirable.

The normal minimum entry requirement for Foundation Degree courses is the possession of 4 GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above) and 1 A Level (or equivalent Level 3 qualification).

Key skills at Level 3 may be allowed to contribute to up to 20 UCAS tariff points towards meeting the condition of an offer, until they are removed from the UCAS Tariff. These Skills do not satisfy the subject knowledge requirements for courses requiring specific GCSE subjects.

Details of acceptable level 3 qualifications, policy in relation to mature students or applicants with few or no formal qualifications can be found in the prospectus or on the University webpages. See the University’s Admissions Policy for other acceptable qualifications and the section below specific to recognition of prior learning.

Candidates with non-standard entry applications will be considered on the basis of relevant work experience and attainment of skills. They will be invited to complete a 500-word written assignment, which will reflect capacity to study at this level.

Applicants are interviewed and invited to share their experience of working with learners. A minimum of two years’ experience employed or working in a voluntary capacity within an appropriate educational setting is desirable.

A Disclosure and Barring Service Check is required for this course.

For students on the Foundation Degree in Learning Support, apply to University of Worcester for the BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families top-up, and you will be guaranteed an offer of place or interview.

September 2025

2025 course timetable to be confirmed.

2025 course timetable to be confirmed.

Please refer to the University of Worcester programme page for course fee information: https://www.worcester.ac.uk/courses/learning-support-fda#costs 

Full-time students should apply via UCAS Apply, using the UCAS code: X300

Institute Code W80.

Full Time available for 2025 entry

Part Time available for 2025 entry