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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate
FDA Learning and Teaching Foundation degree at Northampton
FDA Learning and Teaching at Northampton spans core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project and professional skills.
FDA
Award
2
Years
Full-time
Study mode
95%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
This recognised qualification is for those supporting school teaching and learning, providing opportunities for career development. From the provider’s course page.
FDA Learning and Teaching 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.
- Planning and PedagogyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is for students to investigate theories of learning and how these underpin comtemporary teaching and learning strategies. They will explore how long, medium and short term planning is approached, and the factors that need to be taken into account during the planning process.
- Development of Children and Young PeopleCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide an introduction to development of children and young people. Students will develop their knowledge of the holistic nature of development to underpin their understanding of factors affecting learning.
- 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.
Year 2 5 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
- Curriculum and AssessmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to develop students' understanding of the processes of learning, teaching and assessment and how these relate to curricula including the English National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, and alternative curricula such as those used in special schools. Formative assessment of the students forms an integral part of the module, and models best practice.
- The Hidden CurriculumCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to develop students' understanding of the holistic impact that attending an educational setting can have. It will explore how non-curricular factors and activities influence children and young people.
- School and SocietyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is for students to critically explore the role of the schools as a societal function. Students will interrogate social issues local to children, young people and families through a socio-political lens. Students will explore education system(s) through sociological perspectives, and the role they play in providing equitable opportunities for children, young people and families.
- 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
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 recognised qualification is designed for those supporting school teaching and learning, with opportunities for career development built throughout. You'll usually start with foundations in how children learn, child development from birth to adolescence, and early observation in school settings. In Year 2, a course like this normally moves to curriculum planning, pedagogy and assessment across core subjects, alongside study of inclusion and special educational needs. Practical experience deepens through sustained school placements with increasing classroom responsibility. Specialist options in areas such as primary teaching, early years, SEND and inclusion, QTS routes, and education policy allow you to shape your focus. Final placement and professional studies ground you in the Teachers' Standards and the practice of the profession.
Who it's for
You're interested in education but haven't yet committed to full teacher training, this course offers a natural stepping stone. You might be drawn to supporting learners, developing your understanding of teaching practice, or exploring whether classroom-based work suits you. The pace is intensive but structured; you'll find yourself balancing theory with hands-on time in schools and classrooms. You'll benefit if you're organised, can work independently and alongside others, and want a qualification that employers and universities both recognise.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 90% of Education & Teaching graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating; 70% work in highly skilled roles or pursue further study. Starting salaries nationally across the field range from £22,000 to £30,000; after five years, this typically reaches £21,250 to £30,000. This foundation degree can lead towards further qualifications, teaching roles, or wider education and support sectors. Many graduates use the qualification to progress into professional teacher training or specialist education roles.
University & format
This FDA (Foundation Degree) is delivered full-time over 2 years at the University of Northampton, a university established in 1975, based at Waterside Campus. Instruction is in English. The qualification is recognised by the UK degree-awarding body, making it nationally recognised. The university holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
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.
Open daysOpen Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
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 code73X7quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code 73X7). 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 worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of FDA Learning and Teaching 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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