FdA Education Administration
- UCAS code: Non-UCAS
- Mode of study: Part time
- Duration: 3 years
- Entry requirements 2013: Please refer to the department. At least one A level pass, Access to HE or equivalent level 3 vocational qualification. Students must be employed in a relevant job role and have the support of their employers to undertake the study.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 5204
Email: secs.enquiries@port.ac.uk
Department: School of Education and Continuing Studies (SECS)
This course is only available to UK and EU applicants.
Course overview
Educational administration is demanding and ever-changing. New challenges and changes in education and training have led to greater responsibilities for administrators and the need for constant updating. This sector endorsed Foundation degree has been designed for those working in administrative support roles in schools, colleges, higher education (HE) and education authorities.
This course has been endorsed by the Training and Development Agency (TDA), and will enable you to understand the wider educational context and prepare you for extra responsibility by giving yourself the opportunity to study policies, legislation and technological developments in educational administration. It has also been reported in the National Student Survey and for the last two years has 'exceptionally high levels of student satisfaction', including a 100% score for the prompt return of feedback from assignments.
The programme gives you the chance to meet others from different institutions so you can compare experience and practice. As this degree has been developed to address the needs of administrators working in a variety of educational settings, there has been consultation with employers from the higher, further and school education sectors and we will be constantly listening to what they need.
The current fees for this course are available from the Course Fee Calculator. There may be a reduction in fees if you work in one of our teacher training partnership schools.
Find out more
Places are limited, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity – request an application form now. However, if you need any further details please do not hesitate to contact us (details above).
Course content
Year one
In your first year you will study the following units:
- The Education Environment: this unit will provide you with a broad overview of the education service and particular features of the sector in which you work
- Development of Teams and Individuals in Education Settings: in this unit you will identify effective team leadership and how to meet the development needs of teams and individuals in educational settings
- Managing and Disseminating Information in Education: in this unit you will develop efficient methods of information management
- Working with People in Education: this unit will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to understand and be aware of the trends and initiatives shaping the role of administrators and support staff in an educational organisation
Together these units provide learning activities that will give you opportunities to reflect and audit your skills, knowledge and practice against professional standards and plan orientation to study and future professional development.
These four units will be taught in a variety of ways, with much of the focus being on work-based learning, where you will be choosing a project of interest specific to your area of practice and developing this with the help of your work-based mentor.
Year two
In your second year you will study:
- Professional development in Education Administration: this unit will provide students with learning activities that will give opportunities to reflect and audit your skills, knowledge and practice against the professional standards for your practice and to plan for your future professional development.
- Marketing in Education: this unit will introduce you to the essential elements of marketing and marketing management in educational institutions and settings
- Management of Change in Education and Training: in this unit you will improve your understanding of the challenges managers face in implementing changes in an educational context
- Supporting Standards and Quality in Education Settings: this unit will enable you to understand the importance of effective administration systems to support learner assessment, programme evaluation and quality management systems in educational settings
Year three
In your third and final year you will study:
- Financial Planning in Education: this unit will introduce you to this area of work that underpins all educational organisations
- Education Project Proposal: this unit will provide you with an opportunity to prepare for an in-depth study into a specific area of your professional practice
- Investigation into Education: in this unit you will complete a work-based learning project, where you will be able to apply your knowledge, skills and aptitudes gained throughout the course.
Teaching and assessment
This part-time course will be run as a day school model, where you will be expected to attend:
- Year one - eight study days, plus an induction day
- Year two - eight study days
- Year three - six study days
Each study day will run from 9.30am to 4.00pm on a Wednesday (there may be opportunity to hold two of these on a Saturday).
Each unit will have 12 hours of face-to-face taught sessions and these will be supplemented by online learning and individual and group tutorials.
The course will be assessed by a variety of methods.
These include:
- essays
- reports
- group projects
- oral presentations
- case assignments
There will be no examinations.
Career prospects
Further studies
If you are successful and graduate with a Foundation degree you may progress on to a BA (Hons) Education and Training Studies Degree (run by the School of Education and Continuing Studies), enabling you to gain further knowledge and skills within educational administration.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake top-up degrees run by the Technology Extended Campus, such as the BA (Hons) Business or other appropriate honours degrees.
Employer support
A key feature of the Foundation degree is the support of your employer and you will need to have a work-based mentor to support, motivate and encourage you whilst you are on the course.
Career Progression
A high percentage of students have gained promoted posts which they credit, in part, to attendance on the course. All students have reflected that the increased knowledge they now have, through studying the units covered on the course, has helped them gain a broader insight into the whole education environment and the confidence to apply for higher level jobs in education.
Facilities and features
Portsmouth has a reputation for providing a supportive and friendly atmosphere in which its students can quickly settle and enjoy their studies. You will also have access to appropriate University resources, including our main library and computing facilities, which are open seven days a week.
Some additional resources will normally be available in your own organisations to support the work-based learning and there will also be online facilities available in the form of our virtual learning environment, Moodle, for which you will be given training.
The School of Education and Continuing Studies staff and other University staff who will be teaching on this Foundation degree are all experts in a range of appropriate subject specialisms. Their enthusiasm and motivation means you will get the most out of your time with us.