FD Education Studies

Transform your passion for learning into a professional career in education with our two-year foundation degree. This progressive programme bridges theory with transformative practice, offering a focus that connects psychological insights with modern educational challenges. This
programme. As a work-integrated program, this foundation degree requires you to hold a mandatory placement in an educational setting, which can be a paid role or a confirmed voluntary position, for the duration of your studies. This allows you to meet the work-based learning components of the programme, whilst applying your learning directly to a real-world environment.
Whether you aspire to lead a classroom in early years settings, schools or college, or prefer to drive impact through specialist support roles, this programme provides the versatile foundation you need. It is uniquely designed to support careers in educational settings (schools, nurseries,
colleges) as well as specialist roles such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), safeguarding, and adult support - the broad-based programme allows you to focus upon areas of specialism in each assignment. The Foundation Degree offers the flexibility to specialise in your chosen field, and the curriculum is tailored to your professional goals. This ensures you graduate with the strategic expertise to navigate and shape the future of your preferred setting. We believe that the best way to learn about education is to be an active part of it. During level 4 and 5, you will be working or volunteering in an educational setting while you study, allowing you to apply what you learn in the classroom to your practice.

While gaining a deep grounding in English statutory frameworks like Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and the SEND Code of Practice, you will master inclusive strategies to support neurodiversity and advocate for equitable outcomes. Throughout Levels 4 and 5, you will develop the professional resilience, digital fluency, and collaborative leadership skills required for the regional workforce. Through employer-based insights and mentor support, you will graduate ready to navigate complex professional environments as an advocate for inclusive learning, with the option to progress directly to a final-year Honours degree.
Our goal is to transform you into a "change agent"—someone who actively improves the community in which they are based. You will graduate ready to support our region’s diverse population and help raise the bar for educational success. There is currently a significant local shortage of qualified professionals who can support learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and vulnerable students. This foundation degree puts you exactly where the workforce needs you most.
Our graduates are uniquely prepared for:
● Moving directly into the degree top-up, and then onto PGCE or Teacher Training (QTS)
within the region.
● Securing positions in "hard-to-fill" vacancies within the region’s education/support sectors.
● Meeting the local demand for "essential soft skills" and digital inclusion makes you a
standout candidate for educational settings and local authorities.

This course is also available to apply for the full Ba (Hons) Education Studies - not sure which option is the right option for you, your experience and career goals get in touch we will be happy to support you enquiries@ucp.ac.uk.