Learning and Teaching

This programme is specifically designed for those who have a role supporting teaching and learning in schools whether that be as a teaching assistant, unqualified teacher, cover supervisor, learning mentor, HLTA or learning support assistant. The Foundation Degree in Learning and Teaching is a recognised qualification for your role and will aid your professional development.

You will develop your understanding of children’s learning and build on your ability to support teachers in raising pupil achievement, as well as looking at some of the wider aspects of school provision. You will be encouraged to analyse your work in the context of best practice, relevant principles and research.

The course also provides support for developing and extending the skills, knowledge and understanding related to the Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) professional standards. By the end of this course you will be able to demonstrate excellent practice, underpinned by theoretical understanding. Our experienced and supportive tutors, alongside mentors in your workplace, will help you to excel.

Successful completion of this course gives you the opportunity to progress onto an honours degree and can provide a route to Qualified Teacher Status including through an employment-based scheme or similar.

• Employment-based course to fit with your schedule.

• Recognised qualification for support staff working with children, young people and adults

• Exemption from certain modules if you have relevant prior qualifications

• Highly experienced and supportive tutor team

• Progression to honours degrees and teacher training programmes, as well as other roles within education

UON’s Education subject area was ranked 14th based on overall student positivity out of all universities in England, according to the latest 2025 National Student Survey (NSS)*

21st for Satisfied with Teaching for Education –The Guardian University Guide 2025 (Education League Table)

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one-to-one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study, you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026**.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand-new laptop*** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course textbook is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

✱ Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score across all NSS questions for this subject area across all modes and levels at UK Universities.
✱✱eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information
✱✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information

STAGE 1
• Introduction to SEND, Diversity and Inclusion (compulsory)
• Using Digital Technology to Inspire and Support Learning (compulsory)
• Planning and Pedagogy (compulsory)
• Development of Children and Young People (compulsory)
• Work-Based Practice: The Reflective Practitioner (compulsory)

STAGE 2
• Curriculum and Assessment (compulsory)
• The Hidden Curriculum (compulsory)
• School and Society (compulsory)
• Independent Research Project (compulsory)
• Work Based Practice: Reflective Practices (compulsory)

Module information is quoted for 2025 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

There are no exams. Instead, assessments include practical projects, presentations, assignments, research and portfolios of work practice.