Course Overview
This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in the study of education with a wide and diverse student population, all of whom have one thing in common, the desire to understand and work in education. If you are unsure about the exact career you are interested in then the flexibility offered by this course to explore and consider a range of opportunities may make it the right one for you.
Studies are based around the 'four pillars' of Education Studies which are History, Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy. These are incorporated throughout your studies and combined with other relevant educational topics, such as inclusion and creativity, to provide you with a wide knowledge base as well as focusing on developing a range of other academic and transferable skills. The opportunity is provided in your final year of study to personalise your degree through a range of electives designed to help you make your studies as relevant to your ambitions and interests as possible.
We firmly believe that education does not just take place in the classroom. Throughout your time will us you will gain a range of invaluable skills that are not just academic but are vital to any graduate in the workplace today. We place significant emphasis on the value of student engagement and learning through experience.
For anyone who is unsure about which career path is right for them, the chance to gain experience in a related area is vital and therefore we work to provide as many opportunities as possible for you to gain that practical experience throughout your studies. Additionally you will have the chance to engage in a range of structured formal projects and voluntary opportunities all designed to enhance your employability and personal skills as an Education Studies graduate.
Key Features
While you are here with us you will benefit from the skills of our knowledgeable staff, all of whom have experience of a range of educational contexts and constantly strive to ensure you are achieving your full potential on the course. We have an excellent support system for all our students and take great pride in the quality of the experience that we offer. This is proven by the number of awards our teaching staff regularly receive from the Students' Union in recognition of their commitment to students.
In your day-to-day studies you will encounter a diverse range of teaching and assessment strategies with a strong emphasis on providing a positive student experience. We also have excellent links with local education providers and community organisations to give additional learning experiences beyond the classroom.
The Education Studies course also boasts a high employability rate for graduating students who are in work within six months of completing the degree. A number of our students also progress to further study at Postgraduate level and we can help you with looking at your options should that be of interest to you.
Modules
In Year 1 there are six modules in total which include studies relating to historical and contemporary issues in education, 21st century learning theory and contexts as well as giving an introduction to special education and inclusive studies. Additional modules consider the link between learning knowledge and education as well as exploring visual communication and key skills in education.
Modules include:
- 21st Century Learning: Theories & Contexts;
- An Introduction to Special Education and inclusive Studies;
- Historical & Contemporary Issues in Education;
- Essential Skills for Education, Learning, Knowledge & Education; and
- Visual Communications: Culture & Creativity.
Modules in Year 2 aim to explore the philosophical nature of the subject as well as how culture and identity are also influenced and impacted by education. Further studies relating to inclusion, as well as creativity, along with studies in research methods complete your year 2 studies.
Modules include:
- Culture Identity & Education;
- Inclusion Matters: The Philosophy of Education;
- Research Methods for Education;
- The Development of the Individual; and,
- The Enquiring Mind: Creative Approaches.
In Year 3 you will have the opportunity to conduct your own research within an educational field of your choice, via the dissertation module, plus you will follow a module based on policy and politics within education. A selection of elective modules will then allow you to tailor your studies by selecting modules within the general thematic topic areas of Curriculum and Inclusive Studies, Community and Engagement Studies and Education Futures.
Typical modules can be chosen from the following strands:
- Curriculum and Inclusive Studies Thematic Strand - Assessment & Evaluation in Education and Curriculum Studies and Studies in Scientific & Creative Learning;
- Community and Engagement Studies Thematic Strand - Community Engagement, Adult Learners & Learning, and Community Arts; and,
- Education Futures Thematic Strand - Education Futures (Learning Environments), Global Perspectives on Education and Radical Educations.
Course Tutor(s)
- Caroline Lewis
- Andrew C Reynolds
- Sian Sanders
- Laura Hutchings
Assessment
The course is assessed through a wide variety of methods including examination, coursework and presentation along with the opportunity to complete a dissertation on an area of interest personal to you as a learner.
You will also be encouraged to reflect on previous experiences of education through the assessments used within the course as well as incorporate practical experiences, where relevant.
Career Opportunities
The single honours degree will be attractive to those who are interested in all forms of education, training, communication and human development and can lead to a variety of career options including teaching, educational administration, youth and community and educational welfare.
The main attraction of this course is the flexibility it offers should you not have a fixed career path in mind. A large number of previous students have gained places on the PGCE Primary programme and have then subsequently found employment as primary school teachers. Other students have left to work within local government and educational support as well as for various charitable organisations.
Some graduates have taken the opportunity to teach abroad in China and community engagement work is also a popular option for many of our graduates, some of whom have managed to secure employment as a direct result of the opportunities made available to them as part of their studies.
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Related Courses
- BA Education Studies: Primary
- BA Education Studies: Additional Learning Needs & Inclusion
- BA Education Studies: Contemporary Learners & Learning
- BA Education Studies: International Perspectives
Additional Costs
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.
There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the University:
- Stationery
- Books
- Fieldwork
- Clothing
- Printing and copying
- DBS Check
