Education with Foundation

Educators can have a lasting impact on lives. Whether you want to become a teacher, work in social or care industries, business, the environment or community development, education offers a flexible career path. If you're wondering if university is for you or if you have enough entry points we want to hear from you, whatever the circumstances. With opportunities to work with children, young people and adults in a variety of contexts, this course allows you to create your own career path.

Your foundation year will:

• Enable you to enter University from non-traditional entry routes, whether you are returning to education after a break or if you come with qualifications other than A levels.

• Introduce you to supportive and accessible academic staff in a welcoming community with personal tutor support.

• Prepare you for level 4 study in a research-rich environment, establishing relationships with the University, support services, teaching staff and other education students.

• Provide research-informed teaching opportunities which build on your prior learning, encouraging you to draw on your work/professional/personal experiences.

• Provide you learning experiences which offer small group work, problem-solving and interactive approaches through a wide range of diverse and innovative teaching methods.

• Support you in developing essential study skills through a variety of coursework-based inclusive assessments – from essays and presentations to creative projects, personal development plans and written projects.

This course is an integrated part of the BA (Hons) Education degree at the University of Plymouth. Successful completion of your foundation year (Year 0) will not lead to a separate award or qualification its own right but provides progression onto Year 1 of Educationor BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies.

When you join the BA (Hons) Education with Foundation, you will:

• Engage with our three cores: social justice, inclusion and sustainability.

• Critically consider eco-education: from global education to outdoor and experiential learning.

• Tackle central education issues, such as diversity, special educational needs, disability, mental health and wellbeing.

• Learn from experienced lecturers and tutors who are actively engaged in national and international research projects in education.

In your foundation year (Year 0), you’ll acquire the knowledge and skills you’ll need to progress through your studies and become a confident, independent learner. You’ll take four 30 credit modules which will introduce you to a range of education-related topics whilst preparing you for degree-level study at the University of Plymouth.

Please note that BA (Hons) Education with Foundation and BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Foundation will be combined for the foundation year only.

In the first year key areas are introduced including: issues of social justice, sustainability and policy plus action for social change, alternative education, disability and inclusion, and education for sustainability. Equality sits at the heart of your learning, helping you develop an understanding of the practical, political and social issues in education today. Placement opportunities allow you to develop specific areas of expertise.

In the second year you are introduced to research and can take additional modules in outdoor learning, early childhood education, therapeutic interventions, and inclusive practices. Focus on vocational or postgraduate pathways, while workbased learning allows you to use paid/ unpaid work to enhance your graduate profile. You can also opt for a year or semester studying abroad.

In the final year your main focus is educational research. Career-related option modules are available in years 2 and 3, linked to your personal development as an educator and member of society. There are opportunities to go on course-related residentials in selected modules.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS