Primary Education (work-based two year foundation degree) - Croydon University Centre

Study FdA Primary Education at Croydon University Centre, part of Croydon College, and gain a degree awarded by St Mary’s University.

Croydon College has a long-standing reputation for supporting students to achieve their best. With a welcoming community, excellent student support services, and highly qualified staff, it’s a great place to begin your journey into primary education. The campus offers bright, modern learning spaces, dedicated study zones, and a friendly environment where you can build your confidence and develop the skills you need for your future career.

Our career-focused degrees are delivered by experienced teaching staff from St Mary’s University in modern facilities located in the heart of East Croydon, just a few minutes’ walk from East Croydon station—making it easily accessible whether you’re local or commuting from further afield.

This programme offers a strong focus on developing the knowledge, practical skills, and real-world experience required for a successful career working with children in primary school and early-years settings.

You will benefit from:
• A supportive and engaging learning environment within Croydon College, ideal for building your academic and professional skills.
• Hands-on experience through placements in local schools, giving you valuable classroom exposure and the opportunity to apply what you learn.
• A blended learning experience, splitting your time between Croydon University Centre and practical work in education settings.
• A qualification awarded by St Mary’s University, a well-respected institution with strong links to the education sector.

Primary Education is a work-based teaching foundation degree. You will attend Croydon College one day a week whilst employed in work with children and young people for at least half of the week (in either a paid or voluntary capacity).

• St Mary’s graded ‘Outstanding’ in all areas of teacher training (Ofsted 2024)

• Successful completion of the course allows the opportunity to progress on to either BA Hons in Primary Education QTS (Work-Based Route) (Two Years) or BA Hons in Primary Education (Work-Based Route) (One Year)

• Recognised qualification for HLTA status

• 100% satisfaction rating in the National Student Survey 2021.

This foundation degree provides opportunities for people working directly with children to build on their knowledge and experience through study at higher education level (one day a week).

We offer an established vocationally-based degree that prepares you for working in schools and other educational settings.

The programme allows you to build your knowledge and experience through study at higher education level. The programme will help enhance your understanding of your current professional role. It can be completed within two years studying one day a week during term times.

Students completing the programme have found that they have become more confident in their ability at work and at home, and have been offered opportunities to develop their role in a variety of ways. The current emphasis on the development of the school workforce as a whole has been one of the driving forces behind this degree.

This foundation course is suitable for anyone working with young children, such as teaching assistants, learning support assistants, higher level teaching assistants, or early years or special educational needs practitioners.

Primary Education - Foundation Degree is an extremely popular and flourishing course. It gives you the unique opportunity to continue to work within the education sector whilst studying for a foundation degree.

Course Modules

First year modules include Professional Development One; How Children Learn; Communication, Language and Literacy; Mathematical Thinking; Diversity, Equality and Inclusion and Collaborative Practice

All assignments are designed to develop your knowledge, understanding and use of transferrable skills in teaching children, linking theory with practical.

A range of assessment methods are used, these may include both group and individual presentations, practical visual presentations (posters, leaflets, 3D display, use of green screen) essays, case studies and portfolios.