A one-year online course for working Teaching and Special Needs Assistants wishing to improve their career prospects by gaining undergraduate-level training in the field of SEND.
Start Date:
September 2023
Degree Type: 40 credits at level 4
Certificate of Lifelong Learning
Duration:
Part-time over two university terms.
School:
Entry Requirements
You must be currently working as a Teaching Assistant in a school, FE college or in an early years or other specialist setting.
You will need GCSE in English and mathematics at grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
You will need IT facilities at home to support remote study and access to Teams/Zoom meetings via video and audio.
Why this course
Roehampton is the only university in London appointed by the government to provide the Certificate of Lifelong Learning in Education.
For the past three years Roehampton has been ranked either top or second in London for Education by The Complete University Guide.
All students on this course will qualify for a loan from the Department for Education to cover tuition fees.
Course and Module Details
Overview
This qualification, new for 2022, is designed to give ambitious Teaching and Special Needs Assistants a career boost by gaining university-level training in working with SEND children. The teaching is delivered 100% online on one or two evenings a week, although students living locally to Roehampton will be welcome to use our library for private study. Importantly, all UK students offered a place will be eligible for a DfE short course loan to cover tuition fees. Bursaries are also available to help students whose financial circumstances represent a barrier to study (see the Bursaries tab, left).
The programme runs over two terms. Students successfully completing it will be awarded a Certificate of Lifelong Learning. It consists of two modules, each bearing 20 undergraduate credits, which will be assessed by criteria that reflect students' current job roles – for example it might involve evaluating an intervention, making a resource for a student or reflecting on the different techniques for providing support in the classroom.
Students wishing to continue studying to a higher level can take two further modules - part-time over four terms - to gain the Advanced Certificate of Lifelong Learning which carries a total 80 undergraduate credits, and can also be funded via a DfE loan if required.
NB: The course is open to all Teaching and Special Needs Assistants, even if you already have a degree. Graduates with UK fee status are also eligible for the DfE loans.
Modules
These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change each year.
Tuition fees and funding
September 2023 entry tuition fees
| UK | EU and International |
| £3,100 | £4,700 |
Details of the government's Higher Education Short Course Loans for UK students can be found here.
Bursaries
Study Support Bursaries (SBB) are available for students whose circumstances present a barrier to study. If you wish to apply for this funding you will be asked to complete a bursary application form to assess your eligibility when you accept the place. SBB payments can be made for the following purposes:
- Study support costs such as books, course material, trips not included in course fees.
- Equipment not included in the course fees.
- Childcare for students with parental responsibilities who are at risk of not starting or continuing learning because of childcare costs.
- Learning and learner support for disabled students.
- Emergency support funds for students (which can only be provided in exceptional circumstances).
- If the course necessitates a student being present for face to face activities (for example, to attend a clinical setting) and they are unable to reasonably access the activity by transport, temporary residential costs may be permitted.
Career Options
The skills and knowledge gained by this programme will enhance a TA's job prospects. It's also excellent preparation for those seeking to train as a teacher by progressing onto a degree course and PGCE.
How to apply
Applications for our Certificate of Lifetime Learning courses can be made via the online application form. Please sign up to create an account, then find your course on the alphabetical drop-down menu.
If you have any queries please email admissions@roehampton.ac.uk
Who Teaches the course?
Dr Sarah O' Flynn
I am Deputy Dean in the School of Education. Before entering academic I worked for many years in schools, initially as an English and Drama teacher, Head of English; Head of Learning Support and SENCO.
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Dr Liliana (Donchik) Belkin
I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education. Before entering academia, I worked for many years in schools in the USA, initially as a Special Education teacher working with students with ‘mild to moderate’ disabilities, including dyslexia, TBI, students with SEMH in alternative secondary school settings.
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