Learning and Teaching

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

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.

• Two locations to study from based on student numbers.

• 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

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

• 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 text book 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).

• 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*.

• 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.

✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information