Education Studies is an exciting programme designed to allow students flexibility and choice when considering a future career in educational occupations such as teaching, administration, training, educational publishing, pupil support and personnel.
The programme is primarily about applying academic discipline to the study of education whilst at the same time providing an opportunity to develop your individual capability. This involves working both independently and collaboratively to become autonomous learners.
Education Studies is available as a major, equal or minor subject within the combined honours degree programme.
Why study this course?
The aim of education and how it should be designed and delivered are key social issues attracting a high public profile and significant levels of political intervention. The field of education finds itself the continuing focus of vigorous and often highly emotive public and private debate. Significant questions about education are rarely out of the news. Questions such as: What type of Curriculum should be delivered in schools? How should ability and performance be assessed? And How should further and higher education be structured and funded?
The academic study of education at degree level reflects this highly visible and widespread focus on the theory, practice and policy of education, drawing on debates that have importance and relevance for everyone. Building upon foundation disciplines such as Philosophy, History, Psychology, Sociology and Political Science, the Education Studies programme aims to explore educational decision making in an attempt to understand contemporary provision, change and persistent trends.
Education Studies is an increasingly popular field of study at national level, and given the increasing diversity and quantity of educational provision with the proliferation of support roles, provides strong grounding in a discipline with numerous and diverse opportunities for employment.
Features
The benefits of doing Education Studies are:
- You can study your chosen subject area, while also gaining a degree qualification in education
- The course provides graduates with an excellent foundation in the theory and practice of education
- You are well placed post-degree to progress onto a PGCE
- It keeps your options open regarding your future career
Programme Structure
These modules will provide an introduction to relevant theories and an understanding of the purposes and processes of education, both formal and informal. They address the historical, psychological, philosophical and sociological foundations of education policy and practice.
- Introduction to Education Studies
- Learning to Learn
- The Development of Schooling
Through these modules students are enabled to understand themselves as learners and to gain an overview of the major educational ideas and policy initiatives that have shaped school practice over the past 150 years.
- Beliefs, Values and Curriculum
- Lifelong Learning
- Research and Practice
- Work-Based Learning
Study in these areas builds upon the knowledge and understanding gained at Level 4. Students will explore the ways in which values and beliefs inform educational and political ideologies and how these impact on decisions about how we learn, what we learn and why we learn. The theory and practice of lifelong learning will be examined within a theoretical framework and students will be introduced to how to organise and conduct research within applied educational setting. The research and practice module is ideal preparation for an optional extended dissertation module at level six.
- Politics and Policy in Education
- Youth, Education and Society
- Dissertation
- Inclusion Matters
Study in these areas builds upon those offered at Level 5 and will enable students to critically examine current educational developments and policy initiatives. This will include particular emphases on youth and society and inclusion and special educational needs.
Students also have the opportunity to carry out a supervised education research project that enables them to actively examine an area of education policy or practice.
The forms of assessment vary, depending on the best way to demonstrate the expected learning. Module assessment tasks may include coursework, oral presentations and research projects.
In your final year the option of writing a Dissertation provides you with an opportunity for an in-depth critical analysis of an area of personal interest.
Graduates of Education Studies can be found in a wide range of professional contexts, many of which will be influenced by the subject with which it is combined.
Graduates may be found in the caring or voluntary sector, management, communication, public relations, coaching, specialist pupil support, research or publishing. Other graduates may choose to continue their studies through related postgraduate or research degrees.
Those who wish to join the school teaching profession may do so through postgraduate training PGCE and GTP.
There is flexibility in the combinations of undergraduate subjects that may be studied by those who wish to train as primary school teachers. However, those interested in secondary school teaching must combine their programme in Education Studies with a subject represented in the National Curriculum.
Students with aspirations towards a career in school teaching should review current Initial Teacher Training entry requirements and seek specific advice before embarking on their programme.
Combined Honours
UCAS points:
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A minimum of 240 - 280 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent
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BTEC:
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BTEC National Diploma/Certificate: merit/distinction profile
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Irish/Scottish
Highers :
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B in 4 subjects
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International Baccalaureate:
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26 points
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QAA:
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QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma, Open College Units or Open University Credits
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| OCR: |
OCR National Extended/Diploma: merit/distinction profile |
Extra Information:
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The Advanced Diploma: acceptable on its own
Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer |
