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Professional Practice for Teaching Assistants Foundation Degree at Coventry University - UCAS

Coventry University

Degree level: Undergraduate

Professional Practice for Teaching Assistants Foundation Degree

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2025.

Coventry University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

27Sep
Coventry University - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate
18Oct
Coventry University - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate
29Nov
Coventry University - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Advance your career in education with our foundation degree. You would have the opportunity to gain practical experience while you study online and enhance your professional development. Our Foundation Degree in Professional Practice for Teaching Assistants is a two-year, full-time online course designed for individuals working—or volunteering —in schools in a paraprofessional support role. Whether you're currently employed as a teaching assistant, classroom assistant or learning support assistant, or have secured a school willing to host you in an unpaid role, this course is designed to offer a flexible and practical route to further study and professional growth. Delivered fully online, the course combines one fixed day per week of university-led learning (including live sessions and independent study) with a minimum of two and a half days per week of hands-on school-based practice. There are no campus-based requirements, making it ideal for those who wish to continue working while studying. Develop your skills and confidence throughout the course—from observing experienced practitioners in the first year to independently leading learning activities in your second year. Choose a specialisation in your final year to align your experience with your career goals in education. This course is suitable for:

  • existing school support staff (such as teaching assistants, learning support staff, classroom assistants, HLTAs, one-to-one support staff)
  • individuals in pupil-facing roles across all phases of education (nurseries, primary, secondary, special schools and alternative provision).
This course balances practical experience with structured academic learning. Year one focuses on professional behaviours, classroom support strategies and understanding how pupils learn. In year two, you would have the opportunity to take more responsibility for supporting, planning and delivering learning to individuals, small groups and whole classes. In your final academic module, you can choose one of three specialist focus areas and undertake your own research:
  • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
  • social and emotional wellbeing
  • curriculum.
For the most up to date course and module information, please visit our website.

Modules

Year One Modules:

  • An introduction to professional behaviours
  • An introduction to SEND and behaviour
  • An introduction to subject knowledge: core subjects
  • An introduction to teaching and learning
Year Two (Final Year) Modules:
  • SEND
  • Social and emotional wellbeing
  • Curriculum
  • Specialist route final project
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

Assessment method

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

  • written assignments
  • presentations
  • oral presentations
  • observations.
The practical modules will be assessed on the evidence you collect, collate and upload to an electronic portfolio. A visiting assessor (VA) will virtually visit you a minimum of three times during the course. They will observe you teaching and meet with you and your school-based mentor to discuss and oversee the assessment of your overall progress. The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Relevant Level 3 qualifications are also required. For example, A levels or CACHE Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning, Teaching Assistant (Level 3) Studentship, Teaching Assistant NVQ Level 3, Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning. In addition: For the employed route: be employed in a consistent pupil-facing role for two-and-a-half days per week during the two-year course and have the support of your employer. For non-employed route: have secured a school willing to host you in a suitable voluntary position for the duration of the course for at least two-and-a-half days per week and provide you with a school-based mentor. Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure. For more information about this course, entry requirements or your educational setting suitability, speak to our team.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.coventry.ac.uk/externalContentView/9a49c3cd-d104-4497-8b05-12a91601f94b

English language requirements

If your qualifications were gained outside the UK, you will need to provide an official comparability statement for non-UK qualifications from UK ENIC If English is not your first language, you will need to hold an academic IELTS less than three years old, with a score of at least 7 overall with no component less than 6.5.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
Professional Practice for Teaching Assistants Foundation Degree at Coventry University - UCAS