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). In exceptional cases, it might be appropriate to recruit students directly from a Level 3 apprenticeship or another course in which it can be demonstrated that there is a significant element of professional practice. In such a case, this decision will be based on and the suitability of the applicant:
– 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.
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
Click here for information for employers of students on our Professional Studies work-related courses programmes.
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.
Year 1 Modules
This module provides an induction to higher education set within the context of your own learning and supports the development of academic literacies. The underpinning foundations for professional learning are the focus of ‘Tools for Learning’ including ethical principles and reflection. The module also introduces well-established traditional and contemporary learning theories, and children and young people’s development.
Although developmental theories of education and learning are used throughout the programme, this module ensures that you have a secure grounding in a range of perspectives to enable exploration of theories, concepts and principles relating to the holistic development of the individual in society. The module explores the influencing factors on development and how children and young people may be supported.
This module will encourage you to think critically about the underpinning philosophies and policies of provision for children and young people, and introduces a range of concepts that will continue to benefit your learning throughout the programme of study. It encourages the development of critical analysis skills, and offers an opportunity to develop lines of argument and make judgements, through the application of theoretical learning to everyday practice.
This module provides an introduction to the multi-professional collaborative approaches needed to support the health, welfare, safety and safeguarding needs of children and young people. It builds on legislative contexts from previous learning and explores the strengths and limitations of working collaboratively with a range of professionals.
Year 2 Modules
The purpose of the module is to provide an overview of the principles of supporting teaching and learning within an established curriculum framework. It offers you opportunities to reflect on you own practice and to consider areas for professional development. The module allows you to implement and develop your own pedagogical practice in the work setting and develops skills of reflective evaluation.
Although matters relating to inclusion are embedded in all modules, this module offers you the opportunity to study the topic in depth and too critically analyse and apply a range of theories. It will build on the values, beliefs and philosophies explored in Level 4 modules and extend your appreciation of inclusion.
The purpose of the module is to emphasise the role of assessment in the teaching and learning cycle. It seeks to develop understanding of assessment techniques and the conditions under which these are applied in practice, and complements the other specialist pathway module, Supporting Learning. The module encourages critical, reflective analysis and offers an opportunity for you to engage with a contemporary debate that is prominent in your work sector and field of study.
This module extends on the research skills introduced throughout previous modules, particularly in relation to inquiry-based learning. It enables you to build and demonstrate these research skills through a formal research project. You will be introduced to research paradigms and methods adopted in a formal study and will carry out a small-scale research project within your workplace.
Academic Staff
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
Nyree-Anne Nicholson
Academic Staff
Nyree Nicholson teaches across the three pathways on the Professional Studies Foundation and Honours Degree
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.
