Key information
UCAS code:
X302
Typical offer:
Applicants should be working in either a voluntary or paid relevant educational setting for a minimum equivalence of one day a week
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
If you’re currently working in learning support – such as in a teaching assistant role – and you’re ready to take the next step in your career, our Foundation degree (FdA) in Learning Support will put you on the right track.
As a learning support professional, you play an invaluable role in enabling children to realise what they’re capable of. Your experience is excellent groundwork from which to develop greater educational support expertise, or even to move towards becoming a teacher.
You'll study at one of our partner colleges. Whichever you choose, you’ll be a student of the University of Portsmouth, so you’ll have access to all of our facilities and support.
When you graduate, you'll have new skills and insight to bring to your learning support role. You could also use your foundation degree to access further study that leads to Qualified Teacher Status.
This course isn't currently open to international students outside the EU.
You can study at one of our partner colleges: South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus or Isle of Wight College.
While studying at our partner colleges, you can access our student support services and community including study support, the Students’ Union and our library's online resources.
Course highlights
- Develop your teaching assistant skills by exploring how best to support learners across key subject areas such as literacy and numeracy
- Discover how to support children with a range of needs, including those with special educational needs and disability (SEND) and social, emotional and mental health difficulties
- Learn in supportive study groups, alongside other teaching assistants from different educational backgrounds, and find out how to take the knowledge and skills you learn in our classroom back to yours
- Be taught by expert staff with extensive experience, using dynamic and relevant teaching methods to help you get the most out of your studies
- Study alongside your job at one of our partner colleges: South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus or Isle of Wight College.
The support I received from my tutor throughout my FdA in Learning Support has been exceptional.
Winning this prize has made any hardships in my personal life, that have coexisted with patches where I have doubted myself on this course, show that through hard work, determination and the right support, you can achieve anything.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
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Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
FdA Learning Support entry requirements
Typical offers
- Applicants should be working in either a voluntary or paid relevant educational setting for a minimum equivalence of one day a week.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Selection process
All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Careers and opportunities
This Learning Support Foundation degree (FdA) will enrich your classroom experience with the education theory, best practice approaches and professional recognition you need to best support children in an assisting role, or to progress on a new career path towards becoming a teacher.
What can you do with a learning support foundation degree?
After the course, you'll have a university-level qualification that's recognised in the primary school sector.
You'll stand out as a learning support professional with the skills to work in:
- primary learning support
- higher level teaching assistance (HLTA)
- learning mentorship
- family support
- behaviour management
Alternatively, you could go on to do a Bachelor's degree such as our BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up).
Once you have a full Bachelors degree, you could then progress on to courses that enable you to earn Qualified Teacher Status, such as a PGCE Primary or a School Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme (SCITT).
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.
What you'll study
Core modules
You’ll take an introductory exploration of the intersection of education, society, and the individual - considering factors like race and ethnicity, socioeconomics, gender and social behaviour.
You’ll take a look at the work of key thinkers who have helped to shape education policy and practice, as well as themes from international contexts and perspectives on education.
You'll learn the key features of various learning theories and models, as well as their different impacts on classroom practice, which you’ll apply for real through your learning support role. You'll also reflect on your own learning and personal development.
You’ll learn how practitioners fulfil their obligations when it comes to statutory and professional safeguarding protocols for children, young and/or vulnerable people in a group.
You’ll study safeguarding law and evaluate approaches to embedding safeguarding practices.
You’ll examine literacy development strategies and the role of the learning support practitioner. You’ll also reflect on how learning can be adapted to enable student literacy success and the factors that affect literacy skill development.
You’ll learn the professional standards of learning support roles, as well as the beliefs and values that underpin the work learning support practitioners do.
You’ll identify the benefits and challenges of the principles, practices and boundaries of working with other professional teams, and think about your own strengths and areas for development in relation to academic skills and their developing professional role.
Core modules
Building on what you’ve learned so far, you'll investigate your area of interest, questioning assumptions while gathering evidence. You'll then communicate findings to peers, critically assessing research processes and impacts to reflect on your own development.
Through discussion and literature reviews, you’ll identify an area of interest within learning support, consider impacts of evidence-based changes, and outline processes respecting ethics.
Ultimately, you'll reflect on your practice and propose enhancements.
You’ll evaluate the processes schools use to support children and young people and ways in which disruptive behaviour can be managed, thinking about your own role in these processes.
You’ll learn about the complex factors that contribute to children’s social, emotional and mental health difficulties, as well as the emphasis on behaviour support for vulnerable young people and how behaviour can communicate children’s unmet needs.
Exploring research-based best practices, you’ll identify techniques to actively engage students and foster a growth mindset.
Assessing factors that impede progress, you’ll learn to adapt instruction to support diverse needs when it comes to learning maths and numeracy.
With insight on numeracy development stages, you’ll learn techniques and interventions to build competency and clarify your role in monitoring, motivating, and assisting learners struggling in maths.
Through interactive lectures, readings and a local school visit, you’ll explore philosophical debates around inclusion and reflect on the practical pressures facing educational systems today.
With a holistic view of the variety of learning needs, you’ll be equipped to make a positive difference in the lives of neurodiverse pupils.
You’ll review current patterns across all phases, and analyse how various methods contribute to teaching goals.
You’ll reflect on ways to advance learner development through observation and feedback. Exploring student participation, you’ll explore how assessment can be used for motivation and self-efficacy.
With knowledge to implement balanced, purposeful evaluation, you’ll learn how to actively shape an engaging classroom culture centred on progression.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- essays
- case studies
- reflective reports
- research projects
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- group activities
- seminars
- tutorials
How you'll spend your time
Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks and 2 assessment periods:
- Teaching block 1 – September to January
- Teaching block 2 – February to May
Most teaching takes place during the late afternoon and evening, Monday to Friday.
Supporting you
Even though you'll study at one of our partner colleges, you'll still be a student of the University of Portsmouth.
You'll have access to support via video, phone and face-to-face from University teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following University services:
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Full time – £6,165 per year (subject to annual increase in line with fee cap set by the Government)
International students
- Full time – £17,200 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees. So you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £100 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Contact our Housing Support Team if you need help and advice about accommodation.
- Telephone: +44 (0)23 9284 3214
- Email: student.housing@port.ac.uk
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You’ll need:
- the UCAS course code – X302
- our institution code – P80
Apply now through UCAS (Isle of Wight College)
Apply now through UCAS (South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus)
You can start your application now and submit it later if you want.
If you’d prefer to apply directly, use our online application form:
- South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus (2 years)
- Isle of Wight College (2 years)
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
How to apply from the outside the UK
If you're from outside of the UK but within the European Union, you can apply for this course through UCAS or apply directly to us (see the 'How to apply' section above for details). You can also apply through an agent. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
This course isn't currently open to international students outside the EU.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.