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FDA Professional Practice Primary Education

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  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Two Years
  • Start Date: September 2025

If you aspire to become a Primary School Teacher, but want to remain working, our Foundation Degree in Primary Education allows you to take the first step on your journey, while giving you the flexibility you need to combine work and study.

We'll work with you to develop your skills so you can support the development of children, while building on your passion for teaching, creativity and learning.

This course is delivered as a Full Time course, with teaching taking place on our High Wycombe campus one day a week. This course is designed to fit around your employment within a school or early years setting where you will gain invaluable experience.

Why study this subject?

Meeting the learning and developmental needs of a child is crucial to their wellbeing, mental health and academic ability. As a teaching professional, it’s important that you’re the best you can be and you’re keeping up with current research.

Whether you’re working in a school, as a therapist, support worker or interested in research, taking up further education is going to help you succeed and reach the next level of expertise. Gaining the opportunity to study while you work, and apply the theory to a practical setting is an invaluable experience.

You will want to take this course to gain qualifications as a means of increasing employment opportunities, improving your job performance, or building upon your passions. Whatever your reasons are for choosing to take on higher education, you’ll find new doors open to you, and new challenges to conquer.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Increasing your academic knowledge is one of the best ways you can give young people a head start in life, and we've designed our course to support people working in the public, independent and voluntary sectors. At BNU we keep in contact with the practice environment and work with employers to make sure we build a highly skilled and competent workforce, ready for the future.

As well as giving you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed, we'll work together to help you develop important attributes you need to be confident working in primary education. By the time you finish the course you'll be able to work with increased ability in multi-agency environments and as part of an effective team.

Not only will you learn from experienced professionals, your course is focused on providing you the opportunity to apply theory to practice and use what you gain from study directly in your workplace. We believe the ability to see what you learn working for you in real life is an important part of studying at university.

What facilities can I use?

Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.

Whilst studying with us you will also use our Apps anywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. Apps Anywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.

What will I study?

On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, you are also able to progress on to a one year top up to gain a full degree BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Primary Education), which can provide you with a stronger platform from which to begin formal teacher training (Qualified Teacher Status).

On our course we aim to develop you as an effective practitioner with in-depth knowledge and understanding of child development and children’s learning within the Primary Education field. We achieve this by fostering inclusive pedagogical approaches to your work with children and families, recognising the importance of diversity, inclusion and cultural backgrounds.

We engage in a variety of perspectives to help you reach an informed position on current issues and use this to influence practice and raise standards within Primary Education. At all levels, we encourage your individual learning journey and your development of professional identity to enhance employability opportunities within Primary Education.

Regular meetings with your course tutor can enable you to effectively pursue your own goals and review information you may feel weak on or need more guidance with. You’ll graduate being able to articulate the philosophies and values underpinning primary education, including social justice, children’s rights, safeguarding and child protection, inclusion, and ethical issues.  

We’ll discuss the historical, cultural, and legal frameworks which underpin the disciplines and practices of the education sector and how they influence the quality of practice. In addition, we also facilitate the development of personal and transferable skills, including problem solving, communication, digital technologies, team working, safeguarding, and recognition of the value of independent and lifelong learning. 

How will I be taught and assessed?

On our Foundation Degree in Primary Education, you'll benefit from learning in lectures, workshops, small groups and individual tutorials. Guest speakers often visit to speak to our students. They can provide invaluable and unique perspectives and up-to-date teaching on the changing world of integrated children’s services. Support from your lecturers will help you meet any assessment concerns you may have, particularly as this course is designed to be flexible around your working schedule.

Some of the ways you will be assessed on your understanding of the programme are listed below:

  • essays and reports 
  • audit of workplace environment with action plan 
  • practice observation with analysis 
  • powerpoint presentations with explanatory rationale or reflective commentary  
  • projects and exhibitions 
  • case studies 
  • community audit and information document 
  • micro-teaching sessions  
  • creation of training materials 
Useful Documents

FDA Professional Practice Primary Education Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

Students applying must be able to demonstrate that they are in work (paid or unpaid) related to the course for at least 2.5 days a week as this work is an extension of their study.

  • A relevant Level 3 qualification
  • A minimum of 2 years' relevant experience
  • Current employment as a teaching assistant in a primary school (for a minimum of 2.5 days a week)
  • Support of your school or setting

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Core Modules
Credits
This module explores social constructs of childhood across time and culture. We’ll explore the sociology of childhood and social structures that govern and locate children and childhood. Current debates on children, their childhoods, location of childhood in society, children’s rights, and advocacy is examined through a practice-orientated lens.&nb...

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On this module, you’ll gain academic skills and application to practice, linking theoretical concepts to the workplace. You’ll explore professional standards and ethics. You’ll also reflect on the skills, methods, and experiences of observing and assessing children in practice, helping to enhance your understanding of children’s development.
This module helps develop your knowledge and skills to support children’s learning across the primary curriculum. You’ll examine current primary curriculum frameworks and compare and contrast alternative primary curricula. You’ll research the core principles of subject areas and evaluate the potential benefits of a cross-curricular approach.
Situated within the context of safeguarding, on this module you’ll explore the concept of child protection and what constitutes abuse, encompassing children’s rights. You’ll study the practitioners’ role within the safeguarding process, the importance of multi-disciplinary team working and the legislation relating to current safeguarding practice.&...

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This module helps your understanding of how children develop in a holistic way, up to the age of 8. You’ll recognise the complex relationship between the environment and the child as an active agent in their own development. The theoretical perspectives explored provide a foundation for understanding the complexities of child development.
Building on the Personal and Professional Development in Practice module, you’ll further develop skills necessary to demonstrate a reflective, active, and positive approach to learning and practice. You’ll be introduced to professional reflective practice exploring theories and models of reflective practice, promoting personal and professional skil...

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Core Modules
Credits
In this module, you’ll consider philosophies and issues surrounding inclusion. We’ll explore the challenges and dilemmas of social and educational inclusion, including promoting the rights, voice and advocacy of children and/or adults in an educational context. We’ll cover legislation, policies and the implications of the wider remit of inclusion.
This module provides a theoretical framework to explore the ways in which social and political forces influence the content and structure of education. It introduces the philosophy of key thinkers in relation to education, providing you with the concepts needed to explore fundamental questions concerning the aims and purposes of education.
The aim of the module is to provide you with an introduction to research methods. We’ll help you gain the skills necessary for planning and conducting research and enquiry within your field of study, discipline or professional contexts. This module also provides a foundation for further learning in specific research methods.
This module helps your understanding of the shifting nature of the relationship between children, parents and the state. We’ll examine historical social policy development and how social policy impacts on the family and influences practice. Children’s rights and complexities associated with seeing children as future citizens will also be explored.&...

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This module builds on the Personal and Professional Development in Practice and Developing Reflective Practice modules, developing the skills linking theoretical concepts to practice and improving the interconnectivity of academic study and practice. Core skills, such as observation, ethics, and recognising professional roles, will be enhanced.&nbs...

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Optional Modules
Credits
STEM in practice
20
Credits: 20
Supporting Emotional Wellbeing following Childhood Loss in Practice
20
Credits: 20
Outdoor nature-based learning
20
Credits: 20

What are the tuition fees

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  • Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £5,420 per year *

Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes. 

Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.   

Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.   

Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.   

We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU. 

The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our Enquiries team by calling 0330 123 2023 or emailing advice@bnu.ac.uk.

What are my career prospects?

On successful completion of this foundation degree, you can choose to top-up to a full degree by studying our BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Primary Education and Education).

With this degree, along with GCSEs in English, Maths and Science, you'll be able to apply for a one-year formal programme of initial teacher training such as a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is a perfect gateway into an advanced education and teaching career, helping you to advance to a higher level in this sector.

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