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.
This course 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 strategies for teaching and learning are designed to provide practical contexts for the analysis of contemporary issues and problems of a practical nature. You will also be required to complete work related tasks in all modules. This will provide you with the opportunity to link theoretical perspectives to your practice. It will also enable you to reflect on values, practices, assumptions and policies.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdA Education
Part-time study
The course is delivered one evening per week (4.30pm-8.30pm)
Work placements
Students on this course are normally working in schools or education settings. 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
Each module will vary slightly in the learning and teaching styles adopted. However, to get the most out of your studies, a blended approach will offer flexibility of learning through the use of face-to-face and virtual lectures, workshops and group work.
Throughout the programme you will be encouraged to reflect critically; to listen carefully to the views of others; to question values and opinions; to investigate evidence and draw upon your own informed conclusions. The teaching approach will often be activity based and participatory and you will be expected to take a full and responsible part.
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
Learning And Holistic Development
Module code: EDUC40613
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
Professionalism And Career Development
Module code: EDUC50614
Supporting Learning And Inclusion
Module code: EDUC40616
Behaviour For Learning
Module code: EDUC50612
Assessment For Learning (Guided Research In Education)
Module code: EDUC50615
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 South Staffordshire College - Lichfield but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.
Lichfield offers a wide range of courses at Further Education and Higher Education level, in addition to a range of adult and community courses.
South Staffordshire College - Lichfield website
Entry requirements
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 or the BA (Hons) Education (Top Up) degree with Early Years specialism, which may provide a route into PGCE qualification and teaching.
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) 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
The theoretical perspectives explored will enable you to reflect upon and share your experience, and relate this to current thinking. You will be encouraged to develop your observational skills and to question your own practice and that of others, to investigate how this is influential in the development of the ‘whole child’. The teaching and learning experience will offer a range of opportunities to develop the skills of the reflective practitioner, a theme which is integral throughout all modules within the programme.
Assessment
The assessment tasks set over the duration of the programme have been designed to develop and build upon a wide range of personal and professional skills, whilst strongly reinforcing links between theory and practical application.
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.
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
Fees
For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:
Tuition fees for FdA-Part-time, accelerated
| Study option |
UK / Channel Islands |
| Part-time |
£3,735 for year 1 and year 2, £2,490 for year 3 |
When studied part time, the duration of the course and the amount of fees you’ll pay each year depends on the speed at which you wish to progress through it. This is called the ‘intensity of study’. The usual study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 60 credits in your first year of study. This would be equivalent to studying at 50 per cent course intensity.
If you follow this pattern of study you will complete the course in six years. You will pay the pro rata (equivalent) fee shown for your first year of study. 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 increase 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.
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
| Location |
Award |
Study option |
Start date |
Apply Link |
| South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site |
FdA |
Part-time, accelerated |
22 September 2025 |
Apply now
|
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