UCP Education Courses

Come and find out about our education courses

Last chance to secure your spot! Thinking about a career in education starting this September?

Join our FREE live webinar this Thursday (13th August) at 3pm to explore the newly revalidated Education Studies degrees at University Centre Peterborough.

✔️ Meet the lecturers who will guide your studies
✔️Explore the updated curriculum tailored for modern careers
✔️Get live Clearing advice on how to apply for a September start
✔️Q&A session to answer all your questions

Register now to claim your spot: https://ow.ly/PyfH50ZqJ6n

I’m so close to reaching my target for my PhD research… I just need a few more participants.

If you’re a woman aged 21 or over who returned to higher education after a significant break and are studying, or have studied, within a Higher Education in Further Education (HE-in-FE) setting, I’d love to hear from you.

My research, “Resilience and Reinvention: A Feminist Analysis of Mature Women Navigating Higher Education,” explores the stories behind the decision to return to university later in life. It’s about understanding the realities, challenges, triumphs and aspirations of women who have chosen to take that step.

Taking part involves in-depth interviews, giving you the opportunity to reflect on your journey before university, your experiences of balancing study with work and family life, and your hopes for the future.

Your experiences matter. Every story adds depth to the research and helps build a richer understanding of mature women’s experiences in higher education. Whether your journey has been straightforward or full of twists and turns, your voice deserves to be heard.

Participation is entirely voluntary, all data will be anonymised, and the study has received ethical approval (Ethics Reference: 2026_23072).

If this sounds like you, or you know someone who fits the criteria, please send me a direct message. I’d also be incredibly grateful if you could share this post with your network. Sometimes the right person sees a post because someone took a moment to click “share.”

Thank you to everyone who has already supported this research. Your encouragement means more than you know.

Study Locally This September Start a degree or university-level qualification at University Centre Peterborough this September through Clearing 2026.

Supporting Someone Through Clearing? Start a degree or university-level qualification at University Centre Peterborough this September through Clearing 2026.

New Education Studies Programmes at University Centre Peterborough.

University Centre Peterborough, is proud to announce the validation of three brand-new Education Studies programmes with Lincoln Bishop University (formerly Bishop Grosseteste University).

Designed specifically with working education professionals in mind, these courses offer a flexible way to level up your qualifications while staying in your current role. Whether you are a teaching assistant, early years practitioner, lecturer, or support worker, these pathways are tailored to fit around your work, featuring a one-day-a-week study schedule and a 100% exam-free, coursework-based assessment strategy.

Explore Your Options:
- Foundation Degree (FdA) Education Studies (2 Years, FT): Ideal for Level 3 qualified staff looking to build academic confidence. This serves as a direct stepping stone into a final-year Honours Top-up.
- BA (Hons) Education Studies (3 Years, FT): A comprehensive undergraduate journey diving deep into educational theory, policy, trauma-informed care, and social justice.
- BA (Hons) Education Studies Top-up (1 Year, FT): Designed for those who already hold a Level 5 qualification (like an FdA or HND) and want to fast-track their route to a full Bachelor’s degree.

Real-World Practice: To keep your learning grounded in the classroom, all programmes require a minimum of 12 hours per week of employment or volunteering in a regulated educational setting working with 0-19 year olds, backed by a signed workplace agreement.
These programmes offer the perfect launchpad for postgraduate teacher training (PGCE/QTS) or graduate roles If you would like to know more please contact Course Leader Sam Mackey at University Centre Peterborough on [email protected].

Hampton Academies Trust have some fantastic opportunities within our schools.

Hampton Gardens
• Teaching Assistant (Level 1) & Midday Supervisor – closing date 9.00am 30 June 2026
• Teaching Assistant (Level 2) - closing date 9.00am 30 June 2026
• Teaching Assistant (Level 3) Inclusion Room Lead - closing date 9.00am 30 June 2026

Hampton College Primary Phase
• 1:1 SEND Teaching Assistant - closing date 9.00am 3 July 2026
• Midday Supervisor – closing date 9.00am 8 July 2026

Hampton College (Secondary Phase)
• PE Technician & Support Assistant – closing date 9.00am 6 July 2026

Hampton Lakes primary
• SEND Teaching Assistant (Level 2) – closing date 9.00am 30 June 2026
• Early Years Practitioner (Level 3) - closing date 9.00am 30 June 2026

For more information, please go to https://mynewterm.com/trust/Hampton-Academies-Trust/147808

As I sit on the eve of my 39th birthday, I’ve found myself reflecting on some of the lessons life, work, and people have taught me over the years.

I’ve learnt that:

✨ Success looks different to everyone, and comparing your journey to someone else’s is rarely helpful.

✨ Relationships matter more than achievements. The people who celebrate your successes, support you through challenges, and make you laugh when things are difficult are worth their weight in gold.

✨ Most things we worry about today won’t matter nearly as much in a year’s time.

✨ It’s okay to say no. Protecting your time and energy isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.

✨ Kindness costs nothing and can make an enormous difference to someone’s day.

✨ Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health.

✨ Growth often comes from the periods you’d rather not experience.

✨ Perfection is overrated. Progress is what really matters.

✨ The best leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers; they’re the ones who listen, encourage, and help others to grow.

✨ Life is far too short to spend it trying to meet everyone else’s expectations.

As I head into my 40th year on this planet, I’m grateful for the people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learnt, the challenges I’ve overcome, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Here’s to another year of learning, growing, making a difference, and appreciating the journey.

What is one lesson life has taught you that you wish you’d learnt sooner?

Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful ways to share what we do at University Centre Peterborough.

No brochure, advert, or social media campaign can tell our story better than the people who have lived it. Whether you’re a current student, graduate, employer partner, or someone whose career has been transformed through studying with us, your experiences matter.

We’ve seen students balance full-time jobs, family commitments, and countless other responsibilities while achieving incredible things. We’ve watched careers progress, confidence grow, and ambitions become reality.

So, we’d love to hear from you! Share your story in the comments or on LinkedIn and tag University Centre Peterborough. Tell us where your journey has taken you, what your degree has meant to you, and what you’ve achieved since studying with us.

Your success could be the inspiration someone else needs to take that first step towards their own future.

Let’s celebrate our community and show others what’s possible. 🎓✨

We are thrilled to announce that University Centre Peterborough will be hosting the Big Top Tent at the 5th annual Peterborough Celebrates Festival, hosted by Nene Park Trust.

Our tent will be a showcase of creativity, featuring students and staff from both UCP and Peterborough College. It’s a fantastic (and free!) way to spend the weekend supporting the next generation of creators.

We can’t wait to see you there for a weekend of storytelling and sun!