Truro and Penwith College

FdA Childhood Education

Rated Ofsted Outstanding (2016), Truro and Penwith College provides a range of quality degree courses with employer needs in mind. All students benefit from an excellent support network that helps to put them on the best footing for a successful future after graduating. Finding themselves at home in purpose-built buildings with expert lecturers and access to industry-standard equipment, students can study a quality university course right here in Cornwall.
A variety of people enter higher education with an assortment of experiences and commitments, but with the flexibility at the heart of our programmes, the College offers a compressed timetable and small class sizes to allow students to study in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whatever your background, studying University courses at Truro and Penwith College means an opportunity to study locally, the chance to fit home or part-time work around your lectures and the one thing all our students have in common – the shared experiences of a quality education right here in Cornwall.
For more information visit the Truro and Penwith College website.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    TRUR1301
    Psychology of Learning and Development

    This module develops an understanding of the curriculum frameworks in the primary phase of education in England. It will also consider how the wider curriculum meets children’s individual needs and circumstances including for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Approaches to planning and assessment will be explored and related to the focus of inspection frameworks.

    TRUR1302
    Interpersonal Relationships and Teamworking

    Module focuses on professional relationships including working as part of a team and leadership roles within the context of educational settings. Theoretical perspectives will be applied to understanding the characteristics of effective team performance. Reflection on group class-based experiential opportunities will allow analysis of skills. Different teamworking scenarios including multiagency working will be explored.

    TRUR1303
    The Educational Theory of Teaching

    This module examines approaches to teaching and pedagogy, exploring theoretical perspectives and theorists that have influenced practice today. Students will explore a range of concepts including play-based learning, outdoor education, sequencing of learning, structured assessments and explore the history, implementation and implications and apply developing understanding to an age range of their choice.

    TRUR1304
    Curriculum, Planning and Assessment

    This module develops an understanding of the curriculum frameworks in the primary phase of education in England. It will also consider how the wider curriculum meets children’s individual needs and circumstances including for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Approaches to planning and assessment will be explored and related to the focus of inspection frameworks.

    TRUR1306
    Special Educational Needs and Disability

    This module identifies principles and concepts underlying theoretical frameworks and approaches to children with special educational needs and disability (SEND). The emphasis will be on the individual child and examining how their needs are identified and addressed. The significance of policy, and practice, which will shape educational provision for children with SEND will be examined.

    TRUR1307
    Professional Practice within a Primary Setting

    Linking theory and practice is pivotal to the overall programme and in line with current subject benchmarks. This module focuses on work-based learning opportunities within an educational context, working in partnership with transdisciplinary practices. Professional engagement will allow learners to link theory to practice and demonstrate academic, professional skills and qualities required to support career progression.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    TRUR2304
    Education and Society

    The module explores education and the impact of societal factors on children’s learning. It will examine current UK government legislation, policies and trends in education and their recommendations for the future. The module considers the impact of factors such as poverty and deprivation on children’s learning and aims to increase educators’ awareness of such factors and explore children’s rights and voice.

    TRUR2305
    Alternative Learning Environments

    This module evaluates a range of approaches, theories and contexts for educational practice. Students will compare and contrast how environment, learning and teaching strategies and the curriculum offer opportunities to create learning contexts that challenge existing models of mainstream and formal learning, teaching and assessment.

    TRUR2306
    Curriculum: English and Mathematics

    Module aims to build on learner’s understanding of the importance and methods of supporting language and mathematical development. The module identifies the linguistic, literacy concepts and skills within the EYFS and the National Curriculum. It promotes and develops students’ confidence and competence in mathematics. The module explains why high-quality in English and mathematics is necessary to education and society.

    TRUR2307
    Primary Curriculum: Science and Technology

    Module focuses on the scientific and computing components of the curriculum framework with a primary setting. Module looks at the nature of science learning and how to ensure practical elements promote effective learning. Students will explore the computing programme of study and the appropriate use of technology to enhance learning. Consideration will be given to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.

    TRUR2309
    Educational Research

    This module provides students with the opportunity to engage in a small scale research project based on their individual and personal choice of topic. The importance of adhering to academic research conventions and guidelines will be explained. Consideration to ethical issues, in terms of engaging in academic educational qualitative and quantitative research, is emphasised throughout this module.

    TRUR2310
    Critical Professional Practice within Primary Education

    This module supports students to progress to a wide range of professional opportunities by exploring a range of delivery styles within a childcare setting and associated methodologies. It examines and evaluates delivery, learning and assessment as a colligate process. Students will critically reflect on their experience and exposure to situations within the work placement enabling knowledge and skills development.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Progression routes

Completing this course enables you to progress onto these related courses and programmes with the University of Plymouth at level 5 or level 6, as specifically defined by this programme’s progression agreement.

For further information, including the progression from foundation degree form, please visit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide/progression-to-honours-degree

Our partnership with Truro and Penwith College
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Truro and Penwith College

We’re one of the leading colleges in the country, delivering teaching and learning to the highest level. With three modern campuses at Truro, Penwith (at Penzance) and Tregye, we provide you with a unique university experience.
Plymouth students working on a group project