Education: Policy and Practice FdA
- Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree / Undergraduate
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: Two years part-time
- Study Mode(s): Part-time (evening)
- Campus: Clifton Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
This course is designed for people already employed in education roles and draws on the knowledge and experience gained through this employment. It specifically intends to meet the needs and interests of those who want to combine employment with further learning to enhance their future career. Students must be employed in an education setting for a minimum of 15 hours a week for the duration of the course.
This two year, part-time foundation degree is designed to support, develop and extend your academic learning as a foundation for professional development. You will undertake small tasks and projects within your own working environment to support module sessions and assignments.
It is ideal for a range of practitioners including:
- teaching and learning support assistants
- learning mentors
- extended school activity workers
- subject technicians
- support workers in alternative education settings
It may also be of interest if you are employed in a wider learning support/education role.
Why choose this course?
You will benefit from:
- studying in the evening to fit around your work and commitments
- expanding your knowledge and skills to enhance your career
- extending your transferable skills to support your career development
- progression options to an undergraduate degree or teacher-training
What you’ll study
In Year One, through a reflective approach you will explore the impact of education policy on practice, communication and management of learning and creating an ethos of education for all. In Year Two you will focus on technology in learning and the wider context of learning in non-traditional educational settings. In Year One you will study 120 credits at level 4 and in Year Two, you will study 120 credits at level 5.
Learn from our experienced staff
Our tutors are all experienced professionals who contribute to research and development within their specialist fields. Their research and influence not only shapes new educational practice, but also feeds directly into our courses, keeping you at the forefront of policy and practice.
Throughout this year, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of education policy and practice. There are four modules this year:
Education: Policy and Practice (20 credits)
This module aims to:
- Introduce you to the ways in which education policy influences your practice.
- Give you the opportunity to examine how education is shaped by the wider social and political environments.
- Give you the opportunity to explore the relationships between policy development at an institutional, macro-level and its impact at classroom, micro-level.
Equality and Social Justice (40 credits)
This module aims to give you the opportunity to:
- Research issues of equality and social justice and marginalised individuals in education and society using relevant literature.
- Undertake an exploration of the issues affecting equality of education and social justice for all.
- Engage in looking at what these concepts mean in the context of education and how to put them into action.
Communication (40 credits)
This module aims to give you the opportunity to:
- Explore the important of communication in education.
- Develop and practice strategies to support learning including: the use of language and media resources to clarify knowledge and concepts.
- Develop strategies to promote positive behaviour through understanding cultural, social and emotional aspects of development.
- Apply knowledge of development to identify how to provide for learning and to identify when additional intervention is required.
- Effectively use different modes of communication to work effectively within a multi professional context.
Management of Learning 1 (20 credits)
This module aims to give you the opportunity to:
- Reflect on planning, organising and managing an effective learning environment.
- Address the principles of adult learning (andragogy) and see how they link to the principles of learning experiences of children (pedagogy).
- Contextualise theoretical concepts and facilitate the development of practical skills, involving individual or group work and problem solving approaches.
- Reflect the application of theoretical approaches to practice in supporting learning and development.
There are three modules in Year Two. These modules will embed academic skills, skills for employment, research skills, globalisation and sustainability in education. At the end of this year, you will undertake a synoptic review of your learning and identify current and future skills for employment and further study.
Management of Learning 2 (40 credits)
This module aims to give you the opportunity to:
- Deconstruct the notion of managing learning depends on how learning is defined and how it is managed by using relevant theorises and practice of educational management, leadership in educational management and strategy, policy and planning.
- Examine the ideas of communication, managing professional development and accountability in education.
- Critically examine and reflect on theoretical perspectives and apply these to practice through discussions within seminars, case studies and dialogue and reflection with tutors and your own work colleagues.
- Explore how to manage learning in different education environments drawing on various policies and literature to critically reflect on your practice.
Technology in Learning (40 credits)
This module aims to give you the opportunity to:
- Explore the role of technology in education drawing on various policies and literature to critically reflect on your practice.
- Examine the use of technology in a variety of contexts - mainstream, SEN and others.
- Debate the conflict between traditional assessment and innovative techniques.
- Use technology in the course, for instance Thinglink and Padlet, Lynch.com.
Learning in a wider context (40 credits)
This module aims to give you the opportunity to:
- Examine the wider landscape and understand the role of working more collaboratively across different agencies and the opportunities and challenges this poses against the backdrop of government policies and the White paper promoting partnerships.
- Develop skills and knowledge to support learning and teaching in different contexts by studying a multidisciplinary theoretical approach to education.
- Identify student's own skills set and reflect on alternative careers in the education sector.
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
Sessions run in the evenings and include seminars and tutorials, supported by work-based practice. Full support of your manager is required to allow work-based activities linked to your study.
Studying away from the University campus is made easy with NOW – the NTU Online Workspace. It offers you course and module information, the ability to upload assessments and receive feedback, as well as store personal files. NOW can be used anywhere that you have an internet connection.
How will I be assessed?
The course uses a range of assessment techniques to enable you to meet the learning outcomes and develop suitable skills for employment in education. Subject knowledge, understanding and transferable employment skills are assessed through practically based assignments. Assignments include presentations, reports, essays, portfolios, work based practice reflection.
Work based practice is not assessed as all course members are employed or volunteer members of staff whose practice is appraised within their own setting. However, to develop your practice, you are required to reflect critically on your work as an education practitioner.
Placements
You are expected to be in employed in an educational support role and therefore no placements are required.
Contact hours
- Year One lectures/seminars/workshops (90%), independent study (10%)
- Year Two lectures/seminars/workshops (80%), independent study (20%)
How you’re assessed
- Year One coursework (100%)
- Year Two coursework (100%)
Careers and employability
This course is designed to support, develop and extend the academic learning of practitioners working in education and community settings. It offers a foundation for professional development.
Links with industry
We involve industry experts in our courses in a number of ways.
- We consult with employers when we design and update our courses.
- We ensure you are prepared to meet the demands of the workplace by continually checking the currency and validity of our courses with employers.
- Employers may input directly into your course through guest lectures, projects, and other work-related activities.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have.
Learning a new language can:
- enhance your communication skills
- enrich your experience when travelling abroad
- boost your career prospects.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
You will need:
- Level 3 qualification in an Educational subject, e.g. A-level, BTEC, CATCHE, or NVQ;
- GCSEs - English and Maths grade C / 4;
- full support from your manager, to allow you to undertake work-based activities
- one year's work experience in a related role (minimum 15 hours per week); and
- current employment in a related field.
Applications from candidates with a wide range of other qualifications and experiential learning will also be considered.
The UCAS Tariff
We’ve created this calculator to help you work out how many UCAS points your qualifications relate to.
Get in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Diversity of our students
We are committed to promoting a diverse and representative body of teacher trainees. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, such as male applicants, applicants from BME communities, mature applicants and those with disabilities.
Get in touch
If you need any more help or information, please call us on +44 (0)115 848 4200 or complete our enquiry form.
Good luck with your application!