Foundation degrees are available in a wide range of subjects, and some are specifically designed for school support staff.

A foundation degree is an intermediate level qualification on the higher education qualifications framework and is comparable to level 5 of the national qualifications framework. You can learn more about qualifications levels on the TDA website.

Foundation degrees can be topped up to a full honours degree or other professional qualification. Some may provide a suitable basis for progression to the Registered Teacher Programme (RTP), which lets you complete your degree and qualify as a teacher at the same time.

Both the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and Foundation Degree Forward websites list providers and their foundation degree subjects.

Draft foundation degree framework consultation

To ensure that foundation degrees meet the needs of the school workforce, we are producing a framework for providers. The draft document is now available for consultation and we ask stakeholders, including, but not limited to universities, colleges, employers, local authorities, sector skills councils and members of the school workforce to submit any comments they may have on the framework.

Following completion of the consultation, this document will be revised to reflect comments/views from stakeholders.

Download the draft framework and enter the consultation