Learning Support FdA

**Overview**<br/>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.<br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>We know you’re busy in the classroom, so we’ve made it simple to complete your studies alongside your job by studying 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.<br/><br/>When you graduate, youll 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.<br/><br/>This course isnt currently open to international students outside the EU.<br/><br/><br/>- Develop your teaching assistant skills by exploring how best to support learners across key subject areas such as literacy and numeracy<br/><br/><br/>- 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<br/><br/><br/>- 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<br/><br/><br/>- Be taught by expert staff with extensive experience, using dynamic and relevant teaching methods to help you get the most out of your studies<br/><br/><br/>- Study alongside your job at one of our partner colleges: South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus (full time only) or Isle of Wight College (full time only)<br/><br/><br/>**Careers and opportunities**<br/>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.<br/><br/>**What can you do with a Learning Support FdA?**<br/>After the course, youll have a university-level qualification thats recognised in the primary school sector.<br/><br/>Youll stand out as a learning support professional with the skills to work in:<br/><br/><br/>- primary learning support<br/><br/><br/>- higher level teaching assistance (HLTA)<br/><br/><br/>- learning mentorship<br/><br/><br/>- family support<br/><br/><br/>- behaviour management<br/><br/><br/>Alternatively, you could go on to do a Bachelors degree such as our BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up).<br/><br/>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).

If you apply through Clearing, you'll be offered a guaranteed room in halls if you accept your offer within 24 hours of receiving it and apply for accommodation as a new full-time undergraduate student by 9am on 20 August 2025.<br/><br/>Sign up for Priority Clearing to get accommodation information straight to your inbox as well as access to Portsmouth's Clearing Visit Day on Thursday 7th August. Priority Clearing applicants will jump the queue on Results Day, get exclusive Clearing updates, invites to Portsmouth Prepare for Clearing Webinars and one-to-one application support.<br/><br/>Through the open day, students can get a feel for Portsmouth's welcoming campus and community before joining the university. With guaranteed accommodation, they can rest easy and ensure they are in the heart of the student community.