Overview
Have you ever thought about working towards a degree, but decided against it as you are already in employment or volunteering and don’t want to give that up? Our Professional Studies Foundation Degree is designed for you if you are working and supporting children in primary, secondary and special schools, or learners in further education colleges.
Key Facts
| Award: | FdA |
| UCAS Code: | X900 |
| Academic School: | School of Social Sciences |
| Duration: | 2 years |
| Mode of Study: | Full-time |
| Start Date: | September |
| Awarding Institution: | Bishop Grosseteste University |
| Institution Code: | B38 |
Entry Requirements
– Typically, a minimum of one year’s experience in practice with a minimum of two days a week (minimum of 12 hours per week accumulating to 360 hours per year of study in a relevant role, either as an employee or a volunteer).
– Typically a Level 3 Diploma, NVQs, access to HE programmes, subject/vocational qualifications;
– Written support from the head teacher/workplace manager in which the applicant works or volunteers;
– A successful interview and successful completion of a written task for all students accepted onto the course.
In accordance with University conditions, students are entitled to apply for Accredited Prior Learning, AP(C)L, based on relevant credit at another HE institution or credit Awarded for Experiential Learning, (AP(E)L).
Further Information
Employer Information
About The Course
Many of the students on this course are employed as Teaching Assistants in schools, working alongside a qualified teacher. They support formal learning opportunities for children and young people and may often take whole classes for sessions, or work with children who have a particular need. This Foundation Degree qualification is often seen as a step towards becoming a teacher, progressing in your role as a Teaching Assistant and extending your opportunities to become more senior within this sector. This pathway has a number of progression routes to enable you to achieve your goals.
In your first year, you will examine principles of learning as an introduction to higher education and investigate the complex relationship between practice and meeting individual needs. During the second year, you will study modules covering inclusion, equality and diversity, core curriculum subjects and assessment, along with continuing to develop your practice knowledge.
Delivery
This work-focused degree is a combination of practice-based learning and campus-based sessions which run once a week, so that you are able to continue in employment throughout the course. The degree is designed to improve and develop your personal and professional communication skills, allows you to professionalise your approach and further your personal growth.
You will work with a range of experienced academic staff and be supported through peer-led groups, directed tasks and interactive web-based resources.
Assessment
A variety of assessment methods are used including presentations, discussions, written assignments such as essays and reports and portfolios of work focused learning. All assessments allow you to reflect on your practice and theory as you evidence your learning.
Careers & Further Study
Many of our Foundation degree graduates take on higher level roles specialising in areas such as family liaison, special education needs, higher level teaching assistants, mentoring or roles in the wider community and with local authorities.
The majority of students advance onto our Progression Routes to take their qualifications onto honours degree level. Like the Foundation degree these Progression Routes allow you to study and continue to work.
Academic Staff
Dr Sacha Mason
Programme leader
Sacha Mason is the programme leader for the Professional Studies Foundation Degree programme and the associ
Tara May
Academic Staff
Tara teaches on the FdA and BA (Hons) (top up) Applied Studies across all pathways (Learning Support, Early
Caroline Meredith
Academic Staff
Following a successful career in the Women’s Royal Air Force, Caroline re-trained as an Early Childhood p
Support
Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests. We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.
Fees & Finance
A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process. Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sorting out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step. Click here to find information about fees, loans and support which will help to make the whole process a little easier to understand.
Undergraduate course applicants must apply via UCAS using the relevant UCAS code. The application fee is £12 for a single choice or £23 for more than one choice. For all applicants, there are full instructions at UCAS to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate.
