Degrees
Please note, following a decision made by the multi-academy trust we are part of, The Learning Institute will be closing at the end of academic year 2023-24 and therefore we are no longer accepting applications for our degree courses.
Our degrees were designed to provide students with experiences that could help them develop their career working with children and young people in education, early years and children's services.
With taught sessions once a week, and a blend of face-to-face teaching, live online learning and independent study, our degrees were designed to help students balance study, work and home demands. Students work or volunteer with children alongside their studies, enabling them to link theory and practice.
What is a foundation degree?
A foundation degree is the equivalent of the first two years of an honours degree. It combines academic study with work-based learning.
The aim of a foundation degree is to provide students with a knowledge base that will enable them to reflect on the skills they need to be effective practitioners in an educational or health setting.
How were the foundation degrees delivered at The Learning Institute?
Our foundation degrees were delivered over two academic years, with taught sessions one day per week (1.00pm - 7.00pm). We used a blended learning approach, with a combination of face-to-face sessions and live online learning.
During face-to-face sessions, learners studied core modules relevant to each foundation degree, such as those related to academic study skills and research, along with inclusion and diversity. The relevance of these modules to all degrees allowed inter-related practitioners to study together in local venues.
Additionally, students from each degree studied modules relevant to their specialism in live online sessions, collaborating with students from all of our teaching venues. This blended learning approach enabled students to share best practice with peers from a diverse range of working environments.
Our foundation degrees were classed as full-time due to their work-based nature, meaning learners could apply for all the relevant funding available from Student Finance England. However, attendance at taught sessions was required for only one day (e.g. 1.00 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.) per week, and at two student conferences (Friday evening and Saturday) per academic year.
What is a top-up degree?
A top-up degree is the equivalent of the final year of undergraduate study. It enables you to top up an existing qualification, such as a foundation degree or HND, in order to obtain a Bachelor's level qualification. Most courses are either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc).
How was the top-up degree delivered at The Learning Institute?
The top-up degree was delivered over one academic year using a blended learning approach. Learners were taught through a combination of face-to-face teaching, live online learning, critical engagement workshops, student conferences, tutorials and guided online learning alongside independent study time.
In a typical week there were around 8 hours of planned learning via teaching, guided study or tutorials. The planned learning sessions comprised a range of learning activities which changed week to week depending on whether they were face-face or live online, and from module to module.
The top-up degree was classed as a full time course, and learners were entitled to apply for all the relevant funding available from Student Finance England.