Two women engaged in collaborative study, sitting at a table with papers and pens, demonstrating focus and teamwork.

Teaching and Learning Support - Foundation Degree

Summary

Working directly with learners in the education sector can be a genuinely rewarding and life-affirming experience. By studying for our Foundation Degree Teaching and Learning Support, you can fast track your career aspirations to secure a more senior role within the industry.

Whether you’re new to this sector or you’ve already embarked on your chosen career path, this two-year degree course develops the skills and qualities needed to progress into roles such as School Support Worker, Teaching Assistant, Learning Mentor, Pastoral Officer and Family Support Worker. As well as transitioning directly into work, successful graduates can also progress onto our one-year top-up programme to gain an honours degree and further enhance their career prospects.  

  • Course code SM1HE119
  • UCAS code X990
  • Duration 2 Years
  • Day/s of week Wednesday
  • Time 09:15 - 16:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
2 Years
  • £18,000 Average annual salary in this sector
  • Industry expert tutors
  • 3,000 Annual job openings in the North West

What Uni Reviews

I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and tutors have been amazing. I would recommend this to anyone. *****
- Hayley Butterworth
Enjoyable learning things and issues such as the world around us, being able to find information easily, getting not only learning support but general support such as mental health, e.g really supportive teachers. *****
- Anonymous
Good mentors. ****
- Kyle Cameron

Student case study - Lorraine

Why did you choose B&FC?
It's local and my family have strong links here. My brother graduated in 2019 and my dad worked here. I just wouldn't have chosen anywhere else.

What have been the benefits of studying here?
The tutors make it really relevant and interesting as they know their subjects inside and out. The tutors really made it for me.

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Several career pathways are available to students successfully completing the foundation degree including many in supervisory or senior support roles in the teaching and learning sector. These include:

  • School Support worker
  • Teaching Assistant
  • Learning Mentor
  • Pastoral Officer
  • Educational Administration
  • Higher Level Teaching Assistant
  • Family Support Worker
  • Behaviour Management

Key information

Entry Requirements

A minimum of 48 UCAS points in an appropriate discipline:

  • MPP from Extended Diploma or MM from Diploma in relevant level 3 such as Teaching Assistant, Child Care Learning and Development, Children and Young People  
  • English Language grade C/4 or Functional Skills Level 2. If not achieved must work towards and achieve in first year of study
  • Applicants for whom English is not their first language are expected to achieve a minimum 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component

Additional Requirements:

  • All applicants must provide a letter of support from their employer confirming proposed work experience 
  • If no Level 3, a minimum of a relevant Level 2 qualification such as Teaching Assistant, Child Care Learning and Development, Children and Young People's Workforce, achieved within the last two years
  • 12 months hands on experience in the workplace with service users (does not include administration)
  • You must hold a current DBS

Our experienced programme team will provide advice and guidance on how to secure a placement if you are not already employed in the teaching sector.

Giving you a firm foundation in all the key elements of teaching and learning support, this foundation degree covers topics such as assessment planning, support strategies, managing behaviour and safeguarding to name just a few.

The programme is unique in the following ways: 

  • there is a strong focus on industry-based learning (facilitated by our own extensive employer relationships) 
  • our experienced industry placement team will support you to find an appropriate and conveniently located placement 
  • we also support you to get to grips with the process of studying (through an Introduction to Academic Study module and our team of dedicated personal learning mentors).

Student satisfaction – as a result – is extremely high, with many students progressing to our one-year honours top-up programme.

The course is taught by industry specialist tutors, online and at our dedicated University Centre in Blackpool where we offer a safe and friendly learning environment, smaller classes and dedicated one-to-one support – particularly welcomed by those who haven’t studied for a while.

Qualification obtained

FdA Teaching and Learning Support

Fees and funding

Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding.

Extra costs and equipment

No special equipment is required as a full range of IT is available within the Learning Resource Centre for enrolled students. Students may wish to purchase a laptops as all assessments are submitted electronically and the relevant software can be provided by the College free of charge.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institute: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

During your time on the programme you must be actively employed in a teaching and learning setting, either on a paid or voluntary basis, for an absolute minimum of 192 hours each year (equivalent to 6 hours per week over 32 weeks). This is to ensure that you have the opportunity to integrate theory into practice on a weekly basis and enables you to relate your work based experience to each module and its content.

The work based element of the programme is seen as crucial to achievement of the qualification and supports you in gaining employment or promotion within the sector.

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Curriculum Studies SM4MD162 20 No
    Professional Partnerships Within Education SM4MD163 20 No
    Assessment Design and Planning SM4MD164 20 No
    Learning Theories SM4MD165 20 No
    Foundations of Inclusive Practice SM4MD166 20 No
    Academic Skills Health and Education SM4MD200 20 No

  • Modules at level 5

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Work Based Learning SM5MD219 20 No
    Innovation and Creativity SM5MD220 20 No
    Beyond Behaviour SM5MD221 20 No
    Technological Innovation SM5MD222 20 No
    Safeguarding SM5MD223 20 No
    Send Strategies and Approaches SM5MD224 20 Yes
    Send Impact of Contemporary Send Approaches on Inclusion SM5MD225 20 Yes

Study Support - at a glance

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support
Discover available Study Support

Programme Specification

Download our Programme Specification for this course.

Tutor Profile - Sarah Addicott

Area of Expertise:
Behaviour Management, Inclusion, Special Educational Needs, Pastoral Care and learning theories within education.

Enjoys teaching at B&FC because:
I can have an influence on a wider range of children and students through teaching those involved in the education of others.

A teacher supports a student with his classwork, offering encouragement and praise from behind his shoulder.
A woman engages with children in a supportive circle, fostering interaction and connection among the group.
A vibrant, empty classroom with tables and blue chairs, exuding warmth and a welcoming ambiance through its bright colours.
A teacher supports a student with his classwork, offering encouragement and praise from behind his shoulder. A woman engages with children in a supportive circle, fostering interaction and connection among the group. A vibrant, empty classroom with tables and blue chairs, exuding warmth and a welcoming ambiance through its bright colours.
A teacher supports a student with his classwork, offering encouragement and praise from behind his shoulder.
A woman engages with children in a supportive circle, fostering interaction and connection among the group.
A vibrant, empty classroom with tables and blue chairs, exuding warmth and a welcoming ambiance through its bright colours.

How will I learn?

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 358 328 0
Independent 827 811 0
Placement 10 56 0
Total 1195 1195 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

Not the course for you?

Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.

  • Teaching and Learning Support - BA Hons Degree - Topup

    View course

  • Children, Young People and Families - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

  • Mental Health and Resilience - Foundation Degree

    View course

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 77% 85% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 23% 15% 0%