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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate
FDA Learning and Teaching (SEND and Inclusive Provision) Foundation degree at Northampton
FDA Learning and Teaching (SEND and Inclusive Provision) at Northampton. Over two years of full-time study, you'll develop expertise across core theory, research methods, and applied practice, alongside specialist options tailored to your setting.
FDA
Award
2
Years
Full-time
Study mode
95%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
For those currently working in specialist SEN/D and inclusive settings, who wish to gain a recognised qualification specific to their role. From the provider’s course page.
FDA Learning and Teaching (SEND and Inclusive Provision) is a Foundation degree (FDA) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For Education and teaching graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £21,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Education & Teaching, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
9.3
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional94
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional95
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional90
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 5 modules
- Introduction to SEND, Diversity and InclusionCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop an understanding of the barriers to learning experienced by learners with diverse needs, including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The module aims to enable students to develop strategies to support these learners within their settings and to promote inclusive practice.
- Using Digital Technology to Inspire and Support LearningCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is develop students' confidence and ability in using digital technology across the curriculum to support their own learning and that of the pupils they work with.
- Work-Based Practice: The Reflective PractitionerCompulsory40 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to facilitate students' understanding of their professional role. Students are introduced to the concept of reflective practice as a means for progressive and meaningful action planning when considering their own professional practice. Students will apply wider ideas concerning well-being, mental health and pedagogy to their practice.
- Social and Cultural Dimensions of Difference and DiversityCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to investigate the social and cultural aspects of diversity through an exploration of discourses of difference, and to consider the social and cultural factors that impact on our understanding and experiences.
- Encouraging VoicesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is the study of narrative voices that detail unique perspectives of educational and social experiences to inform knowledge and understanding of inclusion. Key areas of study include the examination of notions of inclusion and exclusion, models of participation, and how to elicit and amplify the voices of marginalised individuals and groups using contextual interventions, partnership work and advocacy.
Year 2 7 modules
- Work-based Practice: Reflective PracticesCompulsory40 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to encourage students to reflect upon practice, value the professional opinion of colleagues and be confident working within a multi-professional team. Students develop knowledge, understanding and practical skills central to their role in supporting a positive experience of learning for pupils. By combining theory and practice students are able to gain clearer insight into the relationship between teaching and learning in order to become independent reflective prac
- Independent Research ProjectCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is for students to draw on their own experience in their individual settings by critically exploring and evaluating the efficacy of a selected intervention/strategy or resource relating to pedagogy and practice within their contexts. Students will be asked to lead a small-scale research project within their own school/setting which is of relevance and interest to them. Students will gain an insight into how provision and/or resourcing for their area of interest is mana
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health PerspectivesCompulsory10 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to study the diverse and complex nature of social, emotional and behavioural aspects of development through childhood and adolescence into adulthood. The module will explore perspectives on Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) using a biopsychosocial lens to consider causes, risk factors and comorbidity.
- Autism and Class SupportCompulsory10 credits
Module details
This module aims to equip students with knowledge, skills, and understanding of how to include neurodivergent students in education. It explores educational approaches and theoretical frameworks that focus on supporting autistic students' key areas of need, utilising their strengths and working with other professionals in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Cognitive and Learning NeedsCompulsory10 credits
Module details
This module studies the broad nature of cognition and learning needs (including specific learning difficulties) and the implications for individuals from childhood into adulthood. Students will reflect upon theoretical understanding and intervention strategies in practice.
- Physical and Sensory NeedsCompulsory10 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to explore the broad nature of sensory and physical difficulties including visual impairment, hearing impairment and multisensory impairment. Work based learning supports reflection on the module themes. Students consider issues of accessibility and audits of environments to support inclusion from childhood to adulthood.
- Collaborative WorkingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop an understanding of how professionals aim to work in collaboration with individuals with SEN/D and a range of stakeholders. There will be consideration of the barriers concerning effective collaborative working between education, health and social care services.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course is tailored for those already working in specialist SEND and inclusive settings who wish to gain a recognised qualification specific to their role. You'll study how children learn and develop, alongside the principles of inclusive education and supporting learners with special educational needs and disabilities. A course like this typically moves from foundational understanding of education and child development in Year 1, with early school placements, to curriculum planning and specialist inclusion work in Year 2. You'll usually progress to deepening your professional practice and exploring specialisations such as primary teaching, early years, SEND and inclusion, education policy, or QTS routes, culminating in sustained school placement and assessment. Teaching practice is woven throughout, building from observation to increasing classroom responsibility.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you're already working in a specialist SEN/D or inclusive education environment and want to formalise your expertise through study. You'll thrive if you're reflective about your practice, curious about the theory behind inclusive provision, and motivated to develop your professional standing. The course demands practical engagement, you'll be integrating what you learn directly with your workplace experience, so it suits people who learn well when theory connects to real settings. You'll find it manageable if you can balance full-time study with your work commitments over two years.
Careers & job market
Among education and teaching graduates nationally, 90% are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. Of those working, 70% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. Starting salaries across the sector range from £22,000 to £30,000 at 15 months after graduating. This foundation degree can open pathways into senior or specialist teaching roles, educational leadership, or further degree-level study, though your progression will depend on your experience, setting, and ambitions. Check Graduate Outcomes and the Longitudinal Educational Outcomes datasets for sector-wide labour-market information.
University & format
The FDA Learning and Teaching (SEND and Inclusive Provision) is a 2-year full-time foundation degree studied at the University of Northampton, Waterside Campus. Instruction is in English. The University of Northampton is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and the degree is nationally recognised. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Published entryEE at A Level, PP at BTEC typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of EE at A Level, PP at BTEC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent70% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 70% |
| another higher-education qualification | 15% |
| an Access course | 10% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
UCAS code73X3quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code 73X3). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Northampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Home£9,790 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Northampton →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 2 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All Northampton funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
National funding for this subject
- Teacher-training bursaries: Postgraduate bursaries and scholarships are available for selected shortage subjects. Official guidance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Education & Teaching graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £21,000 | £14,000 – £25,000 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £22,000 | £15,500 – £24,000 | 110 |
| 5 years after | £22,000 | £15,000 – £29,000 | 120 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
95%
in work or further study 15 months on
70%
in highly skilled work or study
90%
continue past their first year
90%
find their work meaningful
80%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in education & teaching · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Education & Teaching nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£21,000
£22,000 – £30,000After 3 years LEO
£22,000
£17,850 – £25,200After 5 years LEO
£22,000
£21,250 – £30,000national rangethis course’s medianaxis £16,500 – £31,000
National figures for Education & Teaching graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
95 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
75% working15% working and studying5% in further study70% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Education & Teaching courses at the same study level.
This course £22,000Peer median £25,000Middle 50% £22,500–£30,000
20th percentile
Compared with 515 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Blackburn CollegeFDArts Primary Education:Teaching & Learning Support£22,000De Montfort UniversityBA (Hons) Education Studies£22,000Pembrokeshire CollegeBA (Hons) Childhood Studies£22,000Solihull College and University CentreBSc (Hons) Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusive Practice£22,000
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 45% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 20% of published destinations
- Other Educational ProfessionalsSOC 2020 232 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,130
- Teaching and Childcare Associate ProfessionalsSOC 2020 323 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £20,261
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 35; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is FDA Learning and Teaching (SEND and Inclusive Provision) worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of FDA Learning and Teaching (SEND and Inclusive Provision) earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Slower payoff: this course’s graduate earnings stay close to non-graduate pay
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 2 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
−£39,580
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
-1.02×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£19,580
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 2 yrs (published course home fee)
£22,000
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£2,000 below a non-graduate (£24,000)
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 2 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Education & Teaching graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Education & Teaching courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes70%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Education & Teaching graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Schools & academy trusts
- Local authorities
- Education charities
- Tutoring providers
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Education & Teaching graduates.
Education SEN MentorMacIntyreEducation Recruitment ConsultantAcademicsEducation Delivery Consultant - Fast Paced, Dynamic Organisation - WorcestershireAP EducationEducation Trustee - Lead Youth Careers & Outdoor LearningRacing to SchoolEducation Recruitment Consultant - Build Futures & Earn UncappedProtocol EducationEducation Recruitment Consultant: Grow Your Desk & ImpactEducation AssetsLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £21,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.3 out of 10: NSS 93.7% · in work or study 95% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Northampton
All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%
Education and teaching across the UK
Students109,885
Aged 25+51.8%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton
2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Education & Teaching right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Northampton; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Northampton’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Northampton
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Northampton. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Education and teaching graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £21,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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