Education

at Ashton Sixth Form College

FdA

Location

Ashton Sixth Form College

UCAS code

X304

Start dates available

  • September 2026

Are you keen on helping develop minds for the future?  This may be the next step in fulfilling those aspirations, a Foundation Degree that offers comprehensive coverage of the knowledge and skills required by those supporting learning and teaching.

It is practically based and focused on the workplace. The course develops understanding of teaching and learning, working in education, and behaviour management. It also covers skills required for effective communication, self-development and career progression.

If you have an appropriate level 3 vocational early childhood studies qualification and are working in an early childhood setting you can choose to specialise in early childhood studies - this is a great way to tailor your award to your career aspirations, and further develop your knowledge of educational practice in an early years setting.

On successful completion of study, if you choose not to specialise, we will issue the following award: FdA Education. If you do specialise in early childhood studies, on successful completion you will be issued with the award of FdA Education (Early Childhood Studies).

Part-time study

This course is delivered one day per week on a Thursday evening from 4pm - 9pm.

Work placements

Students on this course are normally working in schools or education settings, although those wishing to specialise in early childhood studies will normally work in an early childhood setting. Your existing workplace will make up your placement location.

Consequently a good deal of learning on this course will take place in the workplace using the experience of colleagues, observation, practice and reflective discussion.

 

Course content

This course which is awarded by Staffordshire University will give you a deeper understanding of: up to date developments in the education sector; how to apply key theories and principles of education to your professional practice to meet the specific needs of your employer and your own personal development; wider professional and academic skills development to help secure your current employment and broaden your future career options.

The course therefore has the following overall aims, which focus on developing your career aspirations and opportunities to: become a ‘discipline expert’ in education; develop your professionalism; develop your wider professional practice; develop your independent thinking skills.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Learning And Holistic Development 40 credits
Personal And Professional Development 20 credits
Safeguarding And Developing Educational Practice 40 credits
Supporting Learning And Inclusion 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Assessment For Learning (Guided Research In Education) 40 credits
Behaviour For Learning 40 credits
Leadership And Team Working 20 credits
Professionalism And Career Development 20 credits
Year 1 compulsory modules
Learning And Holistic Development 40 credits
Personal And Professional Development 20 credits
Safeguarding And Developing Educational Practice 40 credits
Supporting Learning And Inclusion 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Leadership And Team Working 20 credits
Planning For Learning 40 credits
Professionalism And Career Development (Ecs) 20 credits
Working With Young Children (Guided Research In Early Years) 40 credits

Location

You will study at Ashton Sixth Form College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Ashton Sixth Form College is a leading provider of post-16 education in the Tameside borough. With years of experience, dedicated teaching, high expectations for learners and a diverse study programme, learners achieve and exceed.

Ashton Sixth Form College website
Ashton Sixth Form College logo

Entry requirements

FdA Education pathway and FdA Education (Early Childhood Studies)* pathway

All full-time applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However, you would normally

  • Demonstration of a clear Enhanced DBS check which confirms that there are no reasons why a candidate should not work with children
  • Be in employment (either paid or voluntary) within an educational setting

for at least four hours a week

  • Have 64 UCAS points or hold an appropriate Level 3 with suitable work experience

  • GCSE qualifications in English and Maths or demonstration of a level 2 competence.
  • If English is not your first language you will be expected to have achieved an IELTS score of 6.0 or above

* Eligibility to be counted in the EYFS staff: child ratios at level 3 requires you to hold a relevant EY Level 3 qualification, which should be gained prior to studying this pathway.

Careers

You can progress onto the BA (Hons) Education (Top Up) degree that may provide a route into PGCE qualification and teaching. If you choose to specialise in Early Childhood Studies you can also progress onto the BA (Hons) Education (Top Up) degree with Early Years specialism.

Graduates from this course have also secured promotions within their current roles, working within education.

Your degree isn't just about securing that all-important academic qualification. It’s about gaining life and work skills to help you get ahead in the job market and gain employers’ respect. As a graduate of awarding body Staffordshire University, you'll gain skills and attributes that will help you stand out from the crowd, and become an employable, enterprising and entrepreneurial individual.

If you choose to progress on to BA (Hons) Education (Top Up) or BA (Hons) Education (Top Up) degree with Early Years specialism these are some careers that you may wish to consider What can I do with a early childhood studies degree? | Prospects.ac.uk

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, a blended approach will offer flexibility of learning for students through the use of face-to-face and virtual lectures, workshops and group work. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your academic mentor.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, case studies, portfolios, presentations and a final year independent project.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Full-time £5,990 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Ashton Sixth Form College FdA Full-time, long 21 September 2026 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021