UCAS code
X302Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-timeDuration
2 years full-time, 3 years part-timeStart date
September 2023, September 2024Overview
If you’re currently working in learning support – such as in a teaching assistant role – and you’re ready to take the next step in your career, our Foundation degree (FdA) in Learning Support will put you on the right track.
As a learning support professional, you play an invaluable role in enabling children to realise what they’re capable of. Your experience is excellent groundwork from which to develop greater educational support expertise, or even to move towards becoming a teacher.
We know you’re busy in the classroom, so we’ve made it simple to complete your studies alongside your job by studying at one of our partner colleges. Whichever you choose, you’ll be a student of the University of Portsmouth, so you’ll have access to all of our facilities and support.
When you graduate, you'll have new skills and insight to bring to your learning support role. You could also use your foundation degree to access further study that leads to Qualified Teacher Status.
This course isn't currently open to international students outside the EU.
You can study at one of our partner colleges: Eastleigh College (full-time only), Isle of Wight College (full-time only) or St Vincent College, Gosport (part-time only).
While studying at our partner colleges, you can access our student support services and community including study support, the Students’ Union and our library's online resources.
Course highlights
- Develop your teaching assistant skills by exploring how best to support learners across key subject areas such as literacy and numeracy
- Discover how to support children with a range of needs, including those with special educational needs and disability (SEND) and social, emotional and mental health difficulties
- Learn in supportive study groups, alongside other teaching assistants from different educational backgrounds, and find out how to take the knowledge and skills you learn in our classroom back to yours
- Be taught by expert staff with extensive experience, using dynamic and relevant teaching methods to help you get the most out of your studies
- Study alongside your job at one of our partner colleges: Eastleigh College (full time only), Isle of Wight College (full time only) or St Vincent College (part time only)
Entry requirements
FdA Learning Support entry requirements
Qualifications or experience
- Applicants are to be working in either a voluntary or paid relevant educational setting for a minimum equivalence of one day a week.
- 2 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English and Mathematics.
Selection process
- All applicants will need to attend an interview.
You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Typical offers
- Applicants should be working in either a voluntary or paid relevant educational setting for a minimum equivalence of one day a week.
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
Selection process
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Careers and opportunities
This Learning Support Foundation degree (FdA) will enrich your classroom experience with the education theory, best practice approaches and professional recognition you need to best support children in an assisting role, or to progress on a new career path towards becoming a teacher.
What can you do with a learning support foundation degree?
After the course, you'll have a university-level qualification that's recognised in the primary school sector.
You'll stand out as a learning support professional with the skills to work in:
- primary learning support
- higher level teaching assistance (HLTA)
- learning mentorship
- family support
- behaviour management
Alternatively, you could go on to do a Bachelor's degree such as our BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up).
Once you have a full Bachelors degree, you could then progress on to courses that enable you to earn Qualified Teacher Status, such as a PGCE Primary or a School Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme (SCITT).
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
What you'll study on this FdA Learning Support course
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
If you're studying this course full time, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits each year. If you're studying this course part time, you need to study modules worth a total of 80 credits each year.
Full-time modules currently being studied
Core modules in this year include:
- Educational Contexts – 20 credits
- How Learning Develops – 20 credits
- Learning in Groups – 20 credits
- Supporting Literacy – 20 credits
- The Role of the Professional in Supporting Learning – 40 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Practitioner Based Enquiry Proposal – 20 credits
- Practitioner Based Enquiry Report – 20 credits
- Supporting Learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties – 20 credits
- Supporting Numeracy – 20 credits
- Supporting SEND – 20 credits
- Theory and Practice of Assessment – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Part-time modules currently being studied
Core modules in this year include:
- Educational Contexts – 20 credits
- How Learning Develops – 20 credits
- The Role of the Professional in Supporting Learning – 40 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Learning in Groups – 20 credits
- Supporting Literacy – 20 credits
- Supporting SEND – 20 credits
- Theory and Practice of Assessment – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules in this year include:
- Practitioner Based Enquiry Proposal – 20 credits
- Practitioner Based Enquiry Report – 20 credits
- Supporting Learners with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties – 20 credits
- Supporting Numeracy – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- group activities
- seminars
- tutorials
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- essays
- case studies
- reflective reports
- research projects
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
How you'll spend your time
Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:
- Teaching block 1 – September to January
- Teaching block 2 – February to May
Most teaching takes place during the late afternoon and evening, Monday to Friday.
Supporting your learning
Even though you'll study at one of our partner colleges, you'll still be a student of the University of Portsmouth.
You'll have access to support via video, phone and face-to-face from University teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following University services:
Types of support
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- Academic writing
- Note taking
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Presentation skills
- Referencing
- Working in groups
- Revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (2023 start)
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time – £6,165 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part time – TBC (subject to annual increase)
International students
- Full time – £17,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- Part time – £11,470 per year (subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees (2024 start)
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time – £6,165 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
International students
- Full time – £18,100 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees. So you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £100 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Contact our Housing Support Team if you need help and advice about accommodation.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course full-time in 2023, apply through UCAS. You’ll need:
- the UCAS course code – X302
- our institution code – P80
You can start your application now and submit it later if you want.
If you’d prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
- Eastleigh College (2 years)
- Isle of Wight College (2 years)
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
To apply for this part-time course at St Vincent College, please contact us.
To start this course full-time in 2024, apply through UCAS. You’ll need:
- the UCAS course code – X302
- our institution code – P80
You can start your application now and submit it later if you want.
If you’d prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
- Eastleigh College (2 years)
- Isle of Wight College (2 years)
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
How to apply from the outside the UK
If you're from outside of the UK but within the European Union, you can apply for this course through UCAS or apply directly to us (see the 'How to apply' section above for details). You can also apply through an agent. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
This course isn't currently open to international students outside the EU.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.