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Learning and Teaching Foundation FdA

Turn your teaching experience into a qualification which will advance your career
Code
X31F
Start
September 2024
Duration
2 years full-time
One day per week
Attendance
Full-time
Fees
£9,250 (UK)*
£16,600 (INT)*
Course leader
Nic Fryer

Why choose Learning and Teaching Foundation FdA at Middlesex?

We’ve been delivering education courses for over 60 years – and are proud to have received 100% student satisfaction in the 2022 National Student Survey.

Our two-year Learning and Teaching Foundation degree builds on your existing experience in primary or secondary education. You’ll develop your knowledge and understanding of a variety of different school settings – while you focus on your professional development and career ambitions.

Develop your learning and teaching skills with us

You’ll have the flexibility to study while you work – spending just one day each week engaged in learning activities to complement your experiential learning in the workplace gained through your existing employment.

Once you’ve completed our foundation degree, you’ll be able to apply to our one-year learning teaching degree to gain a full BA qualification.

You’ll be at the forefront of education practice in the UK, with plenty of support from tutors who are active researchers in the field.

What you will gain

Our foundation course is an ideal starting point for developing your career in education while you continue with your current job.

Once you’ve completed the course with a merit or distinction, you’ll be able to pursue a full BA degree to continue your development pathway towards gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme.

We'll help you develop your knowledge in different school settings – while you focus on your professional development and career ambitions.

You’ll be matched with a personal tutor directly related to your course. You’ll also get support from our Learning Enhancement Team (LET), who have experience in your subject area.

We have 145 years of experience delivering professional, creative and technical education that prepares our students for success in global careers.

What you will learn

The two-year course develops your knowledge and skills in learning and teaching in a range of educational contexts, including early years, primary, secondary and special education provision.

  • Highly ranked
    We're ranked in the top 20% of 531 young universities worldwide for Education – Times Higher Education World Young University Ranking, 2023
  • Strong local school links
    We've developed partnerships in north London and the surrounding areas to help you find placements and gain valuable work experience
  • Specialist education courses
    We offer a wide range of specialist teaching and education courses to help you pursue your passion

Keep informed

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Our communications are designed to support you in deciding your future and keep you up to date about student finance, employment opportunities and student activities available at Middlesex University.

You will study four modules each year. The modules are all assessed by coursework, which includes written assignments, posters and presentations.

Year 1

In year one, you'll be introduced to different ideas about how children develop, allowing you to find the sort of education that inspires you. You'll learn about current UK education policy and the UK education context, including early years, primary, secondary and special education provision, and will look at language and literacy in particular. You'll also consider the importance of inclusive practices in education.

Year 2

In year two, you'll begin to find your own voice as an educator by exploring the values and beliefs which underpin policy related to the subject of learning and teaching. You will learn about the Maths and Science curriculum, and look at the responsibility of teachers to address all students including those with Special Educational Needs and disabilities. You will also explore student behaviour and consider how teachers can influence it.

Modules

  • Year 1

    • Curriculum Studies 1: Language and Literacy (30 credits)

      The module is designed to enable you to consider pertinent historical developments and current curriculum models and requirements.

      The module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of issues which influence current curriculum models in practice.

      Students will be encouraged to reflect on cross-curricular approaches within learning and teaching.

      The module has a focus on the area of language development and aims to encourage students to critically evaluate how children’s language and communication skills are promoted and how adults can support this development.

    • Inclusive Practices (30 credits)

      The aim of the module is to develop students’ effectiveness within the educational setting through awareness of issues affecting equality, accessibility and inclusivity. It considers theories, principles and practice associated with concepts of class, ethnicity/‘race’, gender, sexuality, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), English as an Additional Language (EAL), and Religion.

      Theoretical and practice models are linked to differentiation and personalised learning. Students, as professionals, operating within the workplace, are required to critically analyse and develop an awareness of theories, principles and practice, enabling effective inclusion of all within learning contexts.

    • How Pupils Learn and Develop (30 credits)

      The module aims to introduce students to, and develop knowledge and understanding of, learning and developmental theories and perspectives, applicable to children’s development and learning and teaching contexts.

      Students will explore the importance of social and emotional growth in children within a range of educational settings, including outdoor settings.

      The module will encourage exploration of professional and development needs. Students will explore values and principles associated with learning and how they have developed and changed over time.

    • Education Policy and Practice (30 Credits)

      The aim of the module is to develop students’ effectiveness within the workplace through awareness of key principles and concepts in policy and practice within a historical and socio-political context.

      The module will develop knowledge, understanding and skills of research and enquiry to develop an appreciation of the impact of policy on practice and the relevance to professionals working in learning and teaching contexts.

  • Year 2

    • Curriculum Studies 2: Exploring Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) (30 credits)

      The module aims to build on students’ knowledge and understanding of issues covered in Curriculum Studies 1, which considers current curriculum models in practice.

      You will be encouraged to continue to research and reflect on curricular models and cross-curricular approaches within learning and teaching. You will consider the planning, assessment and evaluation cycle in relation to curriculum delivery.

      This module has a focus on the areas of Mathematics and Science and aims to encourage students to critically evaluate their own knowledge, skills and understanding for supporting learning and teaching of Mathematics and Science in different learning and teaching contexts.

      You will also be encouraged to consider approaches that support the development of children’s mathematical and scientific thinking.

    • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (30 credits)

      The module aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) within school contexts.

      The module considers theoretical views of SEND and their application to practice using fictional case studies. There is a consideration and exploration of the importance of team work and engagement with families and the child.

      There is a careful exploration of agency for the child and family and consideration of multiple perspectives – including the perspective of the child through empathy.

    • Research Informed Practice (30 credits)

      The module aims to develop students’ professional knowledge and professionalism for future practice.

      They will consider the significant role that others play in learning and development and explore ways in which professional dialogue occurs with learners and others.

      They will review educational research relating to collaborative working with parents and carers. Students will be encouraged to explore the values and beliefs which underpin policy related to the subject of learning and teaching.

      They will reflect on their own evolving principles and practice in relation to their roles in the workplace and consider their professional development.

    • Understanding Behaviour (30 credits)

      The module aims to broaden students’ understanding of a range of approaches for supporting individualised and whole-group learners’ behaviour in school contexts.

      You will consider policy and practice in schools that aims to promote behaviour for learning. You will be encouraged to review behaviours associated with inclusion and SEND, as well as strategies to support learners so you can access the curriculum and develop your own sense of well-being.

      The module explores the importance of communication and collaborative teamwork with families and professionals in supporting learners’ behaviour that impacts effectively on learning and teaching.

To find out more about this course, please download the Learning and Teaching Foundation FdA specification (PDF).

We review our courses regularly to improve your experience and graduate prospects so modules may be subject to change.

  1. Teaching and independent learning
  2. Assessment and feedback

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

If you successfully complete FdA Learning and Teaching with merit or distinction, you can apply for the one-year BA (Hons) Learning and Teaching course which means you will gain a full Honours degree. You could then progress to postgraduate study.

If you wish to become a qualified teacher, you could apply for an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course as a route to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), such as the PGCE courses we run (though you are not guaranteed a place).

MDXworks

Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognised with the following awards:

The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023

A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023.

Global network

You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

  1. UK entry
  2. How to apply

The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year:

UK students

Full-time: £9,250

Additional costs

The following study tools are included in your fees:

  • Free access to the resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
  • Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
  • Free printing for academic paperwork
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

The following course-related costs are not included in the fees, and you will need to budget for these:

  • Hard copies of books (however, please note that all books on our reading lists are available in the library including as eBooks if possible)
  • Additional printing over and above the £50 annual allowance

Scholarships and bursaries

To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:

  • MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
  • Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
  • Student Starter Kit. Get help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad. Find out about our MDX Student Starter Kit.

Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.

Fees disclaimers

UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Nic Fryer
Programme Leader

Nic is a lecturer, teacher and theatre director.  He has taught in a range of educational settings, including working in drama departments in universities for fifteen years and secondary schools for thirteen years, where he led one of the largest Drama cohorts in the UK.  Nic has won various awards for his teaching and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  He founded the award winning Small Change Theatre, whose productions Long Wave, Red Velvet and Making the Difference amongst others have toured nationally to a range of venues including BAC, Latitude Festival and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Dr Shirley Allen
Tutor

Shirley has much experience in working in schools and Higher Education. She has researched and published on professional development, early years practice and learning theory.

Liz Beasley
Director of Learning and Teaching Programmes.

Liz has taught extensively in schools, early years settings and Higher Education in the UK and in the USA and she has researched work-based reflective practice and the development of the student voice.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

Other courses

Learning and Teaching BA Honours

Start: September 2024

Duration: 1 year full-time, One day per week

Code: X309

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