Learning and Teaching (top-up) BA (Hons)

Program Overview

Learning and Teaching (top-up) BA (Hons)

Key Facts

• Level: Undergraduate (UG) BA (Hons)
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Starting: September
• Fees UK 25/26: Full-time: £9,535
• Location: Waterside

Overview

The BA Learning and Teaching Top-up degree is designed to follow on from our Foundation Degree in Learning and Teaching, or equivalent Level 5 qualifications. It is aimed at teaching assistants and those in similar educational support roles and is designed to fit around your work, with attendance at University being one day per week.

Highlights

• Enables you to top-up your qualification to a BA Honours degree whilst continuing with your current role.
• Provides good preparation for Primary PGCE and other QTS routes.
• Guaranteed interview for PGCE Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) on completion (T&Cs apply)
• Experienced and supportive tutor team.
• Designed to fit in with your employment in school and is taught on one day per week
• Modules are designed to help you develop excellent models of practice underpinned by theory
• There are no examinations

Entry Requirements

• We ask that applicants have completed a Foundation Degree in Teaching and Learning or equivalent, amounting to 240 Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points.
• We also ask that you have recent or current experience in a school or other educational establishment.

Course Content

• Personal perspectives in professional practice (10 Credits)
  • Module code: PDT3007
  • Status: Compulsory
  • This module develops students' ability to function as part of a professional team within an education setting through: evaluating and enhancing professional attributes; increasing knowledge and understanding; consideration and critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives and factors such as professional standards which have significant impact on professional practice in education.
• Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Professional Practice (10 Credits)
  • Module code: PDT3008
  • Status: Compulsory
  • Interprofessional working is an increasing important aspect of working with children and young people. Students will develop their knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviours related to interdisciplinary working, considering the range of other professionals and the ways in which these roles work together and complement each other to procure the best possible outcome for children and young people.
• Education beyond boundaries (20 Credits)
  • Module code: PDT3009
  • Status: Compulsory
  • The purpose of this module is for students to understand how examining educational topics in other countries can inform their own practice and and understanding of the approaches to education. Students will gain an understanding of the contextual factors that are significant when making international comparisons and the theoretical models and data available to support such activity.
• Culture & Identity in Education (20 Credits)
  • Module code: PDT3010
  • Status: Compulsory
  • The purpose of this module is for students to understand how individual and group identity is formed within society and how identity factors influence life outcomes. Students will relate what they learn to their own life and to that of others.
• Research Methods and Dissertation (60 Credits)
  • Module code: PDT4002
  • Status: Compulsory
  • The purpose of this module is for students to explore research methodologies and methods in order to produce a substantial piece of work. The module will provide students with the broad characteristics of social science research practice. Students will execute and present independent research on their chosen topic of interest.

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees
  • UK Full Time: £9,535
  • UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
• Scholarships and Bursaries
  • For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
• Additional costs
  • There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

Staff

• Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)
  • Faculty of Health, Education and Society
• Senior Lecturer in Education (ECYP)
  • Faculty of Health, Education and Society
• Senior Lecturer in Education (ECYP)
  • Faculty of Health, Education and Society
• Senior Lecturer in Education (ECYP)
  • Faculty of Health, Education and Society
• Senior Lecturer in Education (ITT)
  • Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Postgraduate and Careers

• Guaranteed Interview: Teacher Training
  • If you complete your full-time educational top-up degree with us and apply for the PGCE Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) programme at the University of Northampton during your final undergraduate year, you are guaranteed an interview.
• Terms and conditions apply
  • Interviews are subject to you meeting the entry criteria for the course, we require a minimum 2:2 degree and relevant GCSEs
  • An interview does not guarantee an offer to study on the course. Places are limited and applications will close once the limit has been reached
• Most BALT students go on to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through PGCE or other routes, but there are plenty of other career options available within Education and related fields such as social work, counselling, pastoral care, and psychology.
• Courses which might be accessible with a BALT degree
  • Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) PGCE
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) MSc or Postgraduate Diploma
  • Education Mental Health Practitioner, Postgraduate Diploma
  • Counselling Children and Young People MSc
  • Psychology MSc
  • Social Work MA
  • Special Educational Needs and Inclusion MA
  • Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (Autism Pathway) MA

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BA (Hons) Learning and Teaching Top-up degree is designed for individuals who have already completed a Foundation Degree in Learning and Teaching or equivalent Level 5 qualifications. It is specifically targeted towards teaching assistants and those in similar educational support roles. Students can choose between two locations: Waterside (Northampton) and Leicester. The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of wider educational perspectives and engage them in key debates surrounding education and schooling.

Outline:

The program consists of five interlinked modules and a dissertation on a subject of the student's choice. The modules are designed to help students develop excellent models of practice underpinned by theory.

Stage 1

• Personal perspectives in professional practice (10 Credits)
• Module code: PDT3007
• Status: Compulsory
It involves evaluating and enhancing professional attributes, increasing knowledge and understanding, and critically evaluating theoretical perspectives and factors like professional standards that significantly impact professional practice in education.
• Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Professional Practice (10 Credits)
• Module code: PDT3008
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module emphasizes the growing importance of interprofessional working in supporting children and young people.
Students will enhance their knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors related to interdisciplinary working, considering the roles of various professionals and how they collaborate to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
• Education beyond boundaries (20 Credits)
• Module code: PDT3009
• Status: Compulsory
• Culture & Identity in Education (20 Credits)
• Module code: PDT3010
• Status: Compulsory
Students will relate what they learn to their own lives and the lives of others.
• Research Methods and Dissertation (60 Credits)
• Module code: PDT4002
• Status: Compulsory
• Description: This module provides students with an in-depth exploration of research methodologies and methods to prepare them for conducting and presenting independent research on their chosen topic of interest.
Assessments are conducted through a variety of methods, including:
• Written assignments and reports
• Practical projects
• Presentations

Teaching:

The teaching methods for each module vary to suit the content and provide students with a diverse learning experience. Teaching approaches include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Group work
• Case studies
• Presentations
• Reflection on practice
• Analytical assignments
• Tutorials
• Online forums
• Individual learning
• Observations
The program emphasizes a collaborative learning environment where students share knowledge and expertise.

Careers:

Upon completion of the program, most students pursue Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through PGCE or other routes. However, there are various other career options available within Education and related fields, such as:

• Social work
• Counselling
• Pastoral care
• Psychology
The program provides a strong foundation for pursuing further studies in areas like:
• Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) PGCE
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) MSc or Postgraduate Diploma
• Education Mental Health Practitioner, Postgraduate Diploma
• Counselling Children and Young People MSc
• Psychology MSc
• Social Work MA
• Special Educational Needs and Inclusion MA
• Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (Autism Pathway) MA

Other:

The program offers a guaranteed interview for the PGCE Primary Education (5-11) (QTS) program at the University of Northampton for students who complete their educational top-up degree and apply during their final undergraduate year. However, this interview is subject to meeting the entry criteria for the course, which includes a minimum 2:2 degree and relevant GCSEs.