Foundation Degree in Learning Support

The full-time course is run over a two-year period and the part-time course is run over a three-year period. The sessions run during the evening making the course accessible to people who work during the day. The programme teaches theory related to pedagogy in the context of the learning support worker, which can enhance how practitioners understand their role in relation to the wider teaching and learning environment. It is designed to aid progression in careers within the field of learning support but can also be a stepping-stone to further study of either teaching in the primary sector or SEN specialisms.

What will I study?

The six 20 credit certificate level modules are:

Study Skills for Higher Education
Supporting and Enhancing Learning
Working with Professionals and Families
Social Contexts of Learning
Managing Behaviour
Digital Technologies

At Diploma Level there are four 20 credit modules:

Policy and Practice
Safeguarding
Research Methods
Understanding Learning & Teaching

One 40 credit module:

Project

How will I be assessed?

Assessments across the programme consist of: essays, presentations, creating digital resources, case studies and a report.

There are no examinations on the programme.

For more information about assessment, including guidance on marking, feedback and plagiarism, please refer to the HE Assessment Policy (section 5) and the programme spec for course-specific information.

How will the course be delivered?

Delivery is through a blended model of face to face sessions supported with online learning which can be virtual teaching sessions through Microsoft Teams, research activities, discussion forums and directed reading tasks.

All programmes are led and taught by experienced teaching staff who are vocational specialists. They are qualified, and often have extensive experience within the industry or the sector being studied. All teaching staff meet or exceed the requirements set by the awarding institute or body.

Staff profile: Ros Windley

Ros has taught in FE for 19 years including five years supporting learning as an LSA. As well as the Foundation Degree in Learning Support (teaching Study Skills, Digital Technologies and Social Contexts of Learning modules) she also teaches GCSE English.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, but you will be expected to have relevant experience in a learning support role and the potential to work at higher education standard
You must be employed or undertaking voluntary work in learning support, with a minimum of six months’ recent experience, as work-based learning is an essential component of the qualification
Evidence of employer support is required on application
College interview

A typical offer for this course would ask for the entry requirements to be met, however, all offers take individual applicants’ experience and qualifications into account.

What next?

On completion of the Foundation Degree, students can progress onto the college’s BA Early Childhood Studies top-up or a BA in Education and Training. The programme is designed to aid progression in careers within the field of learning support but can also be a stepping-stone to further study of either teaching in the primary sector or SEN specialisms.

Additional information

This course is delivered partly online, and applicants can expect to spend 17 hours each week working towards this degree. IT skills are necessary, and the course does require regular access to the internet (College facilities are available).