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Learning and Teaching

1 Study option · UndergraduateWaterside Campus
Awarded by:
The University of Northampton

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

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

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Waterside Campus

Study options

  • FdA • Full-time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • 14/09/2026

Application codes

Course code:
73X7
Institution code:
N38

University of Northampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
73X7
Institution code:
N38

Chat to student ambassadors

Discover what it's like to study Learning and Teaching at University of Northampton: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

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  • Grace

    University of Northampton
    Ba International Relations & Politics
    Hi! My name is Grace. I’m 19 and currently in my second year of my Politics and International Relations degree. Outside of my academic interests, I enjoy reading, watching films and television (particularly in the horror genre) and occasionally baking, alongside being a student ambassador. I am originally from the Midlands but have been living in Northampton throughout my studies. If you have any questions about student life or studies in general please feel free to message me!

  • Jacqui

    University of Northampton
    Bsc Psychology
    I am 50 years of age, originally from Glasgow in Scotland and left school in 1989, with 8 O' Grades (GCSE’s) and 5 Higher (A Levels). Desperate for a new adventure and to start working and earning, I applied for a job in Television Production in London. I successfully worked for an independent company in Soho, initially as a Production Runner, progressing finally to Production Manager. I returned to Glasgow for a year, to work for BBC Scotland as Production Manager, before taking time out to travel in 1999. I travelled throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and America for 2 years. On return, I moved to Brighton, East Sussex where I worked for American Express, a lifestyle magazine called Venus, and as a volunteer for the Brighton Unemployed Family project, between 2001 and 2012. Brighton is where I met my husband and went on to have two children, a girl, and a boy. Ava who is now 15 years old and Lochlan who is 13. 8 years ago, my Husbands job transferred to their other site near Leamington, bringing the family to the midlands. We now live in the village of Weedon, a half-hour drive, west of Northampton. Since living in Weedon I have completed 7 years working in primary education. I began working in Special Needs as a 1:1 and in my 5th year at Weedon Primary, I completed an HLTA course through Northampton University, qualifying me to teach years 1 to 6 in primary school. I have trained in Autism, Attachment Disorder, Dyslexia, Speech, and language among others. I ran nurture groups and introduced a kinaesthetic approach to a lot of my teaching, after researching its efficacy in primary schools. During my school career, I have been fascinated by how children learn. Some by doing, others by seeing. I have come to love the continual questions from children and the challenge and adventure of not always knowing the answers. Throughout my working life, I have loved interacting with people, obsessing over human behaviour and how the mind works and influences decisions. My favourite literature often tackles aspects of psychology and I find it an extremely exciting and alluring subject. Throughout the lockdown period, it became apparent that I was not fully satisfied with my career and felt I was ready to learn and take on a new challenge. My initial thought was to go into Educational Psychology but with more investigation, I decided it was time to move away from education and start something new. My next thought was counselling, which I am still very much keen on exploring and could see a possible future career. As a volunteer in Brighton Unemployed Centre Family Project, I assisted low-income families and homeless people, realising my ability to listen sensitively and offer solace. Completing a course for the British College of Journalism a few years ago, I gained skills in reporting and analysing as well as fuelling my curiosity in psychology. I wrote articles on social, biological, and cognitive psychology. From a piece on music and memory to another on psychology in pain management. Having completed a year of the single honours psychology course I now feel the career direction I want to go into is counselling psychology. I have recently secured a part-time job locally with the group of Northampton psychiatric hospitals (NHFT) and ideally, would love to complete my master's within the NHS but if not I will probably stay at the University of Northampton to complete my master's in counselling.

  • Nadeline

    University of Northampton
    Bsc Accounting & Finance
    Hi! My name is Nadeline and I’m from Indonesia. Aside from being an Accounting & Finance student, I love to dance and have been a part of the UON Dance Team since last year. I also enjoy taking a walk in the outdoors, going to museums, and shopping! I look forward to helping new students as a Unibuddy Ambassador, so feel free to ask me anything!

  • Christa

    University of Northampton
    Bsc Podiatry
    Hi, I’m Christa and I’m currently studying Podiatry. I’ve always been passionate about healthcare and this course has given me the opportunity to explore that passion while making a real difference. Outside of my studies, I play for the university’s Women’s Rugby Union team and love staying active by going to the gym or enjoying walks in the open air. I’m here to help answer any questions you have so feel free to ask!

  • Ihtisham Ur

    University of Northampton
    Msc In International Business Management
    With a strong passion for global business strategy and problem-solving, I aspire to become a business consultant and strategist. The University of Northampton has provided me with a dynamic learning environment, modern facilities, and invaluable opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Whether you're curious about the course, campus life, or career prospects, feel free to reach out, I'm here to help!

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

80 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

95 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

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