Diploma of Higher Education in Primary Teaching and Learning
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Diploma
- Code
- E59
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 240 credit points
Description
This Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is designed to meet the needs of classroom assistants and additional staff seeking to extend their professional knowledge and expertise.
It is suitable for experienced classroom assistants who support children’s learning in primary schools (age range 4 to 11 years) and will develop the knowledge and skills required in this work. It will also prepare you to engage with further study, enquiry and practice where a knowledge of supporting learning is required.
The DipHE includes a specialist vocational component, which is underpinned by broad-based academic learning. You must currently be working in a primary school, supporting children’s learning, in either a paid or a voluntary capacity. You will need to be able to demonstrate that you have at least one years’ experience in this role. During your studies, you will need to be working directly with children in a primary school for a minimum of five hours a week in order to complete the work-related and work-based assignments in this DipHE. Your school must provide confirmation of the number of hours you work; verify your role in the school; and agree to provide appropriate support for your studies.
A range of assessment methods will be used, including written assignments, end-of-course examinations (in some optional courses), presentations, evidence-based portfolios, and work-based project files.
This diploma will be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland. It is offered to students who live and work elsewhere as the Foundation Degree in Primary Teaching and Learning (G02).
Planning your studies
You must start your studies with Supporting learning in primary schools (E111), followed by the second compulsory Level 1 course (planned for first presentation in October 2010). This course builds on the key themes of the first course (E111) and asks you to reflect on them more deeply through carrying out workplace learning activities.
Anyone working in a school will need to meet the ‘fit person’ criteria for doing so, as required for the setting and country in which they are working, including obtaining the necessary criminal record clearance (e.g. Disclosure Scotland, or equivalent). It is the responsibility of you and your employer to ensure that you meet these requirements, rather than the OU.
There is a time limit for studying this DipHE. The minimum study time is two years and seven months, which would be the equivalent to full-time study and would require exceptional commitment to studying. You must obtain the required 240 points for this DipHE, including any credit transfer, within either seven years of starting the first OU course or within seven years from completion of the study that is the basis of a credit transfer award, whichever is the earliest.
Career relevance and employability
This DipHE has been developed in association with schools and local authorities and will be well regarded in the primary education sector. A DipHE is at the same academic level as the first two years of an honours degree.
The qualification may be helpful if you want to continue to study to degree level and if you are thinking about training to be an early years or primary teacher; your choice of optional course at Level 2 can be used to support this goal.
If you are considering teaching as a career, you are strongly advised to check with your training provider about their entry policy for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes (or equivalents in other areas) as requirements vary between different universities.
Please note that The Open University does not offer initial teacher education in the primary age range. For more information see our booklet Becoming a Teacher which has been prepared to help those who are considering teaching as a career. For up-to-date information also see the Teach in Scotland website.
On completion of the DipHE there are several options available for you to continue your studies and gain an honours degree. Careful choice of your study route after the diploma is needed to ensure you complete the correct courses for the required degree as there are different compulsory courses at OU Level 3.
We therefore recommend that you discuss your intended study route and course choices with one of our advisers.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
Courses
For this 240-point diploma you require:
120 points from the following compulsory courses:
| Level 1 compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
| A 60-point work-based learning course on learning through enquiry in primary schools planned for first presentation in October 2010 |
And 60 points from the following compulsory course:
| Level 2 compulsory course | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
| A 60-point work-based learning course linked to the core curriculum subjects of primary education planned for first presentation in October 2011 |
And 60 points from the following optional courses:
| Level 2 optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Feb 2010 |
|
60 | Jan 2010 |
|
60 | Feb 2010 FINAL |
|
60 |
*Compulsory course if you wish to progress to the BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies (B23).
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of the required courses you will be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Primary Teaching and Learning and will be entitled to use the letters Dip HE (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
An undergraduate qualification in Childhood and Youth and Education.
Study explained
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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