2025/26 entry
BA (Hons) Learning Development and Support
Why study Learning Development and Support at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Appropriate for those working in all phases of education
- Saturday classes so you can continue in full-time employment, plus electronic learning materials so you can study at your own pace and in your own time
- Focus on SEN and the emotional and mental development of children and young people
- Opens up careers across the education and social care sectors
- You will be taught in the dedicated Education Building based in the University's Mount Pleasant campus
- 94% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on our education courses were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024)
About your course
The BA (Hons) Learning Development and Support at Liverpool John Moores University is the ideal preparation for an ITT in primary or early years education. You can study this degree while still working full time in an educational setting.
The degree recognises that there is a need for experienced educational professionals such as Teaching Assistants, nursery staff and mentors, to have a greater understanding of the emotional and mental development of children and young people today.
It is aimed mainly at students who are returning to education after gaining practical knowledge from their work with children and want to progress to teacher training, social work or a mentoring role.
Graduate employability skills are integrated into the course and supported by all staff and you will have opportunities to work directly with practitioners. The programme is constantly adapted to reflect current issues in education.
"The course has opened my eyes to a broad range of educational topics relevant to my job role, providing me with the knowledge and skills required to do it more effectively. I now feel equipped and empowered to explore a career which involves supporting 'vulnerable' children."
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Employability
As you will already be working within the children’s workforce this degree allows you to gain professional qualifications to secure promotion or give you access to teacher training opportunities
Previous graduates have gone on to complete the Graduate Teacher Training programme and PGCE courses in primary or early years. Others have used their qualification to progress on to other professional level qualifications and training programmes.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
A life-changing experience
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
Study Skills
20 credits
This module introduces you to the skills essential for life-long learning, which include communication skills, academic skills and working in groups. Importantly, it gives you the opportunity to develop and apply these skills. It introduces you to a model for improving your own learning and performance, as well as relating this to your academic work and personal career planning.
Personal Professional Development
20 credits
This module introduces you to reflective practice. It allows you to consider your personal development needs, reflect on practice and to analyse your skills and knowledge.
Transition and Resilience Theory
20 credits
This module provides you with a theoretical framework and the opportunity to reflect on an issue central to your professional role and professional practice. You will be supported and equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to engage with the topic of study, linking this to your personal and professional needs.
Mentoring and Communication in Education
20 credits
This module centres on examination of mentoring and communication in education from the perspective of the critical, reflective professional. Issues of current interest will be examined across a range of educational provision. Differences in policy implementation frameworks will be presented and examined.
Child Development in the Early Years
20 credits
This module enables you to begin a study of child development. It encourages critical examination of a range of theories, such as early nurturing, attachment theory, and theories of play, in light of current research
Supporting Learners with SEND
20 credits
To provide opportunities for education professionals to investigate, reflect and develop practice in a workplace setting. To provide flexible opportunities for personal and professional learning matched to identified individual needs and relating to theory and practice when working with children / young people with SEND.
Level 5
Core modules
Including the Excluded
20 credits
This module focuses on the inclusive institution within an inclusive society. It will encompass issues regarding equality of opportunity and disability awareness. It will consider those who are currently excluded and examine current policy. There will be opportunities to consider discrete issues related to phase or sector.
Child Development in the Middle Years
20 credits
This module helps identify the key developmental milestones and domains in middle childhood and to explore the factors that can affect development in this phase. You will analyse research relating to child development in the middle years.
Academic Research Methods
20 credits
In this module you are encouraged to reflect upon practice and published research to draw conclusions and make suggestions for future engagement with research.
Research in Professional Practice
20 credits
This module encourages you to reflect upon practice and published research relating to ethical considerations to inform your plans for a small scale research project.
Optional Modules
Dyslexia - Theory and Practice
20 credits
This module provides students with an opportunity to consider the theories, debates and educational practices associated with dyslexia. Through lectures and individual tutorials, students are supported in completing an assignment related to this topic and tailored to their professional needs. This is linked to a professional practice issues which are interrogated within the research and theoretical frameworks.
ADHD in a Mainstream Context
20 credits
To provide opportunities for education professionals to investigate ADHD, reflect and develop practice. To provide flexible opportunities for personal and professional learning matched to identified individual needs and ADHD. To encourage students to develop critical faculties in relation to research, policy and practice in relation to ADHD: theories and practice.
Current Issues in Education
20 credits
This module enables you to examine current policy initiatives in education as they relate to your own practice and to critically reflect and analyse policy using published research. Links between theory and practice will be made to enable you to reflect on the impact of key policy on your own practice.
Learning From Work - Developing Professional Practice
20 credits
This module provides you with an opportunity to complete a supported personal study based on your professional practice. You are supported in completing an assignment related to your professional needs. This is linked to a specific professional practice issue which is interrogated within the research and theoretical framework.
Study Abroad Replacement Year- Learning, Development and Support
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with a year of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace their LJMU programme at level 5.This is a year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.
Level 6
Core modules
Work Based Enquiry
40 credits
In this module you will be encouraged to reflect upon your own practice and published research evidence to conduct an independent research project.
Developing Professional Practice
20 credits
This module provides you with an opportunity to complete a supported personal study based on your professional practice. Through lectures and individual tutorials, you are supported in completing an assignment related to a specific topic and tailored to your professional needs. This is linked to a professional practice issue which is interrogated within the research and theoretical frameworks.
The Autistic Spectrum
20 credits
This module provides you with an opportunity to complete a supported personal study based on your professional practice. Through lectures and individual tutorials, you are supported in completing an assignment related to a specific topic and tailored to your professional needs. This is linked to a professional practice issue which is interrogated within the research and theoretical frameworks.
Child Development in Adolescence
20 credits
To explore the literature and research considering the meaning and nature of childhood in the adolescent years. To consider adolescent child development in the context of society and the legal and ethical systems supporting the care of children.
Optional Modules
Current Issues in Education
20 credits
This module provides you with an opportunity to complete a supported personal study based on your professional practice. Through lectures and individual tutorials, you are supported in completing an assignment related to a specific topic and tailored to your professional needs. This is linked to a professional practice issue which is interrogated within the research and theoretical frameworks.
Learning from Work - Theory to Practice
20 credits
This module provides you with an opportunity to examine current policy initiatives in education as they relate to your own practice and to critically reflect and analyse policy using published research. Links between theory and practice will be made to enable you to reflect on the impact of key policy on your own practice.
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Lectures, seminars and tutorials take place on Saturdays, taking up about one third of your study time. Taught sessions are supported by electronic learning materials, which means you can study the remaining two thirds of the course at your own convenience and fit your learning around your daily working life.
Work-related Learning
Modules relate to child development, transition in education, developmental disorders and mental health and there are also learning at work modules which enable you to gain credit for professional practice.
The course includes learning at work modules that enable you to gain credit for your professional practice.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
Your tutors are experienced in teaching and supporting students who have to fit their studies into a busy lifestyle, and so they understand the pressures of studying while holding down a full-time job. To support you in your studies and particularly assessments, they will set up one-to-one tutorials with you to work on your essay writing, study skills and research techniques, and to discuss any other course-related issues.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
We acknowledge that all students perform differently depending on how they are assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. These include written essays, individual and group presentations, and work study projects where you will be assessed on your work-based knowledge and experience.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Jennifer Woods
Programme leader
Our team of specialist academics, practitioners and support staff are dedicated to ensuring that you receive a first-class education and we are there to help you to successfully engage with a programme of study designed to enhance your academic, personal and professional skills
This degree is taught on Saturdays so you can continue in full-time employment, supported by electronic learning materials so you can study at your own pace and in your own time
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
Based in the Education Building in the heart of the Mount Pleasant campus, the School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities and a nearby Outdoor Learning Zone for natural curriculum and forest skills. Students also benefit from independent study spaces, a close-by cafe and library, and access to student welfare and support.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications:
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Not required
A levels
- Are AS level awards acceptable? Not applicable
BTECs
- National Certificate (RQF): Not applicable
- National Extended Certificate: General Studies counted as half points i.e. A, B, C, D = 60, 50, 40, 30 UCAS points respectively
Additional requirements
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Interview required
Interview required
International requirements
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IELTS
6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.
Further information
- DBS, Occupational Health requirements
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Reduced offer scheme
As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold of up to 16/8 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has been in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach initiatives, e.g. Summer University. Please contact the admission office for further details.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
We are looking for applicants who are working with children and young people, with a minimum of two years of experience.
This can be paid or voluntary work, however there is a minimum requirement of two days per week, which can be full or part time.
You should have a strong desire to further develop your knowledge and skills concerning children and education.
You should have a caring and positive attitude and should be committed and enthusiastic. In addition, we expect students to be good time managers with communication skills.
To discuss further please call the Education Admissions Team on 0151 231 3000.
The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.