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.
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 University of Staffordshire 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.
Standard route
Year 2 compulsory modules
| Year 2 compulsory modules |
|
Assessment For Learning (Guided Research In Education) |
40 credits |
|
Behaviour For Learning |
40 credits |
|
Professionalism And Career Development |
20 credits |
|
Supporting Learning And Inclusion |
20 credits |
Year 3 compulsory modules
| Year 3 compulsory modules |
|
Leadership And Team Working |
20 credits |
Early Childhood Studies
Year 2 compulsory modules
| Year 2 compulsory modules |
|
Planning For Learning |
40 credits |
|
Professionalism And Career Development (Ecs) |
20 credits |
|
Supporting Learning And Inclusion |
20 credits |
|
Working With Young Children (Guided Research In Early Years) |
40 credits |
Year 3 compulsory modules
| Year 3 compulsory modules |
|
Leadership And Team Working |
20 credits |
Personal And Professional Development
Looking to develop your academic, personal and professional development? This module offers an opportunity to build upon your existing knowledge, skills and understanding and will encourage you to adopt a positive approach to your new course. It is a shared module for both pathways, with topics including principles and approaches to reflection, roles & responsibilities and developing academic skills; as well as providing opportunities to consider personal career aspirations. This module will gain you 20 credits at level 4 towards the full 240 credits for your Foundation Degree.
Module code: EDUC40614
Safeguarding And Developing Educational Practice
How do we protect children, young and vulnerable people? This module examines how the interests, needs and welfare of children and young people can be protected through the structure, services and policy in place today. The value that society places on children and childhood will also be explored through the major developments in child welfare; legislation and the serious case reviews which sparked the changes. This module will gain you 40 credits at level 4 towards the full 240 credits for your Foundation Degree.
Module code: EDUC40615
Learning And Holistic Development
Module code: EDUC40613
Supporting Learning And Inclusion
Module code: EDUC40616
Professionalism And Career Development
Module code: EDUC50614
Assessment For Learning (Guided Research In Education)
Module code: EDUC50615
Behaviour For Learning
Module code: EDUC50612
Professionalism And Career Development (Ecs)
Module code: ECST50300
Planning For Learning
Module code: ECST50299
Working With Young Children (Guided Research In Early Years)
Module code: ECST50301
Leadership And Team Working
Module code: EDUC50613
Location
You will study at NSCG - Newcastle College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.
Newcastle College, as part of the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, has consistently high qualification achievement rates that place it in the top 10% of colleges in England for learners aged 16-18.
NSCG - Newcastle College website
Entry requirements
FdA Education pathway and FdA Education (Early Childhood Studies)* pathway
All part-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.
Year 1
10% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in work based learning
Year 2
10% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in work based learning
Year 3
10% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
78% of time in independent study
12% of time in work based learning
Independent learning
Independent learning and reflection takes place throughout the course. This includes access to reading, work placements and access to virtual learning environments and blended activities.
Year 1
20% practical assessments
80% coursework
0% written exams
Year 2
8% practical assessments
92% coursework
0% written exams
Year 3
0% practical assessments
100% coursework
0% written exams
Fees
For the course starting on 28 September 2026 the tuition fees are:
Tuition fees for FdA-Part-time, accelerated
| Study option |
UK / Channel Islands |
| Part-time |
£4,960 for year 1 and year 2, £2,480 for year 3 |
As a part-time student studying at one of our partner colleges your fees are fee protected, meaning you will pay the same fee each year for the duration of your course.
If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.
Apply now to Education
| Location |
Award |
Study option |
Start date |
Apply Link |
| Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group - Newcastle |
FdA |
Part-time, accelerated |
28 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.