FdA
Learning Support
Learn from practitioners from a range of backgrounds
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Would you like to develop your knowledge and critical understanding of your education support role? If you have at least a year's experience in a learning support context, paid or voluntary, and the ability to study at this level you could work towards a nationally recognised qualification in your field.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Study alongside your existing learning support role (whether you are in a general or special educational needs setting; in a school, college or other institution)
- Share experiences in study groups with practitioners from a range of backgrounds
- Enter the BA (Hons) Education Administration programme at an advanced stage
What opportunities might it lead to?
Successful completion of this course allows you entry to an appropriate BA degree, such as our BA (Hons) Education and Training Studies, at level three (i.e. the final stage). It may also be used as a stepping stone to Qualified Teacher Status or to promotion in learning support roles.
I would definitely recommend this course to anyone wishing to pursue a career in education whilst working as well. It has been a really enjoyable and beneficial experience that has already changed my life.
Beth Norris, FdA Learning Support student
Key Facts
- Duration
- 3 years part time
- Entry
Please refer to the department. Applicants without formal qualifications but with relevant experience will be considered.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,000 p/a*
International students: £7,000 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- secs.enquiries@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5204 - Department
- School of Education and Continuing Studies
Subject:
Education, Childhood and Youth Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Hands-on opportunities to work in a relevant educational setting
- The support available to all students
- The flexibility of unit options that enable you to tailor your study to your own interests
Browse all courses in Education, Childhood and Youth Studies
Structure & Teaching
The course comprises a range of units that will cover:
- supporting learners with diverse needs
- learning theory
- assessment
- supporting learning with social and emotional needs
- literacy and numeracy
- own choice research and enquiry projects
- personal professional development including key skills
Students are encouraged to relate the units to their professional roles. Understanding of the learning support role is further enhanced by the use of study groups where practitioners from different backgrounds can offer support and share experiences.
Teaching and Assessment
We have a well-established reputation for providing stimulating and academically rewarding courses and our tutors are committed practitioners who will guide you through your study.
Teaching will be in groups of approximately twenty and will include group activities and seminars as well as more formal lectures.
Each unit will incorporate a work-based element that you will complete in the context of your work environment. You will be required to identify a mentor in your workplace who will be able to support you through the course and informal training for mentors will be offered too.
Use of specialists from the learning support sector also ensure that you receive up-to-date knowledge and expertise.
How are you assessed?
There are no final exams. Instead, each unit has its own assessment focus, which will be one of the following:
- essays
- case studies
- reflective reports
- research projects
You will be given clear guidance for all assignments. Key skills will be assessed through the units.
Tutor's view
Chris Neanon
FdA Learning Support
This innovative course focuses on your professional role and will enable you to develop your knowledge and critical understanding of the workplace. It is used by students as a stepping stone to Qualified Teacher Status and to an enhance professional status in your school.
Facilities & Features
SECS
School of Education and Continuing Studies
Academic Skills Unit (ASK)
ASK will help you become a successful university student
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment
Study in SECS
The School comprises a body of enthusiastic staff with a range of expertise in the professional and academic sectors. We offer a welcoming learning environment, in a location near the heart of town, the student buildings and the sea front.
Academic Skills Unit (ASK)
ASK will help you become a successful university student. Our workshops are designed to improve a number of essential academic skills from essay writing and understanding plagiarism to revision and exam techniques. This is a great way to enhance your academic performance and make a smooth transition into university study.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Online discussions with colleagues have been very valuable and I have confidently taken part in them. The online resources have been very useful and help is never very far away.
Diane McEwan, FdA Learning Support student
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
If you are successful in the Foundation degree, you can apply for direct entry to level three of the BA (Hons) Education and Training Studies where you will study educational issues from a wide perspective including sociological issues and professional practice, alongside carrying out an in-depth personal study.
Many students have successfully followed this route into Qualified Teacher Status by completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, embarking on the School Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme (SCITT) or the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP). Others have used the qualification to gain promotion in the teaching assistant role.
Advice from the University’s career service is available throughout your course and up to two years after you graduate and this is supplemented by input from local education authorities.
Please note that this degree does not currently make you eligible for entry to teacher training at secondary level.
Work experience
Students on this course are working in the education sector, and will be able to incorporate elements of their work into their learning.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.