The Foundation Degrees (FdA) in Children, Learning and Development provide programmes of study at Level 5 which are relevant to those working in the birth through to 19 years education sector. Students can choose from three distinct pathways: Early Childhood, Learning Support or SEND and Disability.
Learning Support (5-19 years)
The programme has been designed to provide an integrated and yet specialised pathway for practitioners working to support children’s learning and development. It provides a strong and balanced foundation for the development of the diverse range of practitioners attracted to studying at this level helping them to develop careers working with children and young people in a variety of public service, private and voluntary settings. It is designed to improve personal and professional communication skills, to develop new ways of working and to challenge existing assumptions.
The core curriculum areas of Language, Literacy, Mathematics and Science will be explored, providing students with a good understanding of how children develop knowledge in these areas, enabling students to plan quality creative cross-curricular activities (Ofsted, 2010).
The full time programme will be studied over 2 years. The part time programme will be studied over a four-year period.
The Foundation Degree requires students to be either working or volunteering in an appropriate setting for 12 hours per week*. Practice-based learning is combined with campus-based sessions for one day a week at UCNL. (For full-time students:10am-5pm or 6pm-9pm two evenings per week; for part-time students, attendance would be one evening 6pm-9pm).
*Voluntary placements would need to be undertaken in a school or early years setting rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted. A clear DBS will also be required for all students.
This course is validated by the University of Hull.
UCAS Course Code: A2P8
If you are looking for a full-time or part-time course in Higher Education to study at UCNL, look no further as we explain the process of how to apply. You'll be on the path to success in no time at all!
All applications for entry to full time programmes must be made through the national Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS)
When: as a general guide, applications can be made to UCAS between September and mid-January. Please check their website (www.ucas.com) for further information. We do consider applications throughout the year, although the earlier you submit, the earlier you will receive a decision and can start to plan accordingly.
How: Once you have found the perfect course on the study at UCNL page and you are ready to apply, you have a couple of options:
(Recommended) Make An Online Enquiry
Click the enquire button next to the course you wish to apply for. You will then be asked to fill out a form to help us speed up the process. Once we have your details, you can sit back and relax whilst you wait for one of our friendly and experienced staff to get in touch and guide you through the process.
Contact Us
You can also contact us directly with any queries you may have. Simply head over to our contact page and choose your preferred method.
UCAS
Alternatively, you can head directly to the UCAS website: http://www.ucas.ac.uk.
Please use the following details to find us on the UCAS website:
The UCAS Code for the DN Colleges Group is: N64 (The University Campus North Lincolnshire (UCNL)
Campus Code: N (UCNL)
Campus Code: D (University Centre Doncaster)
Please note that UCNL is part of the DN Colleges Group.
Once you have submitted your application, UCAS will send copies to all of your selected institutions.
Each will make a decision based on your application, and may invite you for an interview.
If we can offer you a place on a course, the offer will be communicated via UCAS TRACK.
If you are unable to meet the entry requirements for your chosen course, an institution could also offer you an alternative course, or will provide you with feedback about why they were unable to offer you a place.
If you receive an offer, it will either be:
- Conditional – you must meet certain conditions which are usually based on exam results.
- Unconditional – you have been accepted without any further conditions.
Offers should be accepted or declined. You may accept an offer as Firm or Insurance.
- Firm is your preferred choice.
- Insurance is your back-up choice.
All applications for part-time programmes should be made directly to UCNL, using a Higher Education Part Time Application form. This is available by emailing enquiries@ucnl.ac.uk. Alternatively, click the ‘enquire’ button located next to the course you wish to apply for.
Loans for tuition fees are available to full-time and part-time students (subject to current Government funding criteria), from Student Finance England and are known as 'Tuition Fee Loans'.
You will need to ensure that student finance is in place prior to the start of your course to ensure payments for tuition fees and maintenance grants are made in a timely fashion.
Please visit www.gov.uk/student-finance for more information and guidance. Should you need some assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
UCNL has a range of financial support awards available for students. These include:
- The Student Opportunity Fund
This is also referred to as the Hardship Fund and is an amount of money UCNL holds in order to allocate to students facing financial hardship and difficulty. Applications to the fund can be made from late October throughout the academic year. This is NOT a loan and is not repayable.To qualify you must have applied for a student loan. If following this, you are still in hardship you may apply to the fund for help. Following a standard assessment, you may qualify for a termly payment based upon attendance or if you have an unexpected large expense you may qualify for a non-standard award to help towards the cost.Additionally, students facing unexpected financial difficulties may be eligible for a short term repayable loan. Information can be provided by the UCNL Information and Advice office. - Bursaries Students may also be able to apply for a number of financial bursaries. These include awards available to students who are care leavers and those from low participation neighbourhoods. Please note that there is a limited number of awards available. For further details, please contact the Information and Advice office.
- Council Tax Certificates Exemption certificates can be arranged for full-time Students only. Please contact the UCNL Information and Advice Office for further details.
We encourage all students to become members of The Student Society which is proactively involved in UCNL and creates the opportunity for students to provide feedback and share ideas and suggestions with regards to their student experience. The Student Society allows students the chance to develop their interests, to network and engage with other students and staff, to work in partnership with UCNL to achieve goals and to discuss their student experience.
We are always trying to find creative and innovate ways of inspiring our students to enhance their experience. In previous years the Student Society has been engaged in UCNL's first student-led conference, 'UCNL's Got Talent', has helped develop UNCL’s LGBTQ+ Group and has been responsible for providing a forum to discuss student suggestions, leading to changes such as the introduction of microwaves in the Bistro for HE students.
If you think that you could make a real difference and would like to join, please come to one of our advertised meetings or ask your Programme Leader about who you go to for more information.
This Student Charter has been developed in partnership between staff, students and members of the Student Society, setting out ways in which everyone will work together to make your time at UCNL enjoyable, successful and rewarding.
If you are interested in viewing our Student Charter follow this link.
Course Details
Year 1 (Full Time)
• Holistic Child Development 20 credits
• Supporting Maths and Science 20 credits
• Digital Literacy 20 credits
• Social and Emotional Development 20 credits
• Personal and Professional Practice (1) 20 credits
• Assessment for Learning 20 credits
Year 2 (Full Time)
• SEND and Inclusion 20 credits
• Children, Families and Communities 20 credits
• Language and Literacy 20 credits
• Children’s Rights and Participation 20 credits
• Personal and Professional Development (2) 20 credits
• Research Skills 20 credits
Entry Requirements
The requirements for applicants progressing from full-time education are 40 UCAS points/NVQ3 or equivalent Level 3 qualification.
Several applicants however, come through an experiential route ie from individuals demonstrating recent and relevant work experience in the sector. We have a long and successful record of supporting mature students.
Course Progression
Successful graduates may opt to continue study to honours degree level BA (Hons) Children, Learning and Development (Education) at the University Centre
Some will decide to move into teaching, or an education related role.
*Other possible alternative careers for Foundation Degree students may include: Family Liaison; Special Education Needs or Mentoring
NB: it is important to note that GCSEs at level 4 or equivalent in English, Mathematics and Science, are a requirement if you wish to move into teaching.
Assessment Methods
The programme has a strong focus on innovative assessment techniques. Reflective logs, reports, poster presentations, debates, discussions, multi-media portfolios and generating an e-book will all enhance the students’ experience and develop sector relevant employability skills.
Course Fees
Your Tuition fees cover the majority of costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition and assessment).
There may be some extra costs that you might need to make or choose to pay.
Books (you will have access to books from your module reading lists in the HE library, but you may want to buy your own copies).
Printing and photocopying.
If your programme includes a work placement, you may be required to pay for a Basic or Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
