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BA

Education Studies BA (Hons)

Education Studies is a broad multidisciplinary degree, designed for the intellectually and practically curious. If you are fascinated by the social, political, psychological and philosophical aspects of education, this is the course for you.

How to apply Apply via UCAS

Course details

Start date

Degree Type

BA

UCAS Code

x305

Course length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

AAB

Tuition Fees

  • Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
  • Overseas (Full-time): £26,500 per year

Overview

Are you interested in why people learn in different ways? Do you want to find out more about barriers to learning and how learning supports childhood development? Maybe you’d like to know more about the ways in which politics can impact education and education in diverse cultures? The BA Education Studies is an ideal qualification if you are fascinated by the learning process and education as a global phenomenon and you want to keep your career options open. Learning and education profoundly shape all our lives and we consider these in the broadest possible sense. From the philosophical foundations of schooling to the political implications of policy, education is a vast field that has multiple avenues to approach a seemingly straightforward subject. Our degree goes far beyond any classroom and considers education, people and their relationship to the ever-changing world.  This BA will prepare you for a career in many different areas, both in the education sector and beyond. It can provide the first step towards a career as a teacher or researcher, and supports roles in publishing, policy making, the voluntary and public sectors, as well as many more.

Course details

Start date

Degree Type

BA

UCAS Code

x305

Course length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

AAB

Tuition Fees

  • Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
  • Overseas (Full-time): £26,500 per year

What you'll study

The curriculum draws on research carried out in the School to keep the course content relevant and up to date. The breadth of modules allows you to create your own pathway through the course. You can choose to focus purely on educational studies, or incorporate a sociology, psychology or geography element to your studies.

Core modules

  • Contemporary Issues and Evidence in Education

    will introduce you to a range of contemporary issues in education and the nature and scope of the supporting evidence. With a range of guest speakers from across the Department you will gain a grounding in a variety of issues at stake.

  • Foundations of Psychology in Education

    serves as a basis for an understanding of psychological principles, processes and theories in education. The module addresses cognitive and non-cognitive person characteristics that may explain individual differences in learning processes and outcomes.

  • Historical and Philosophical Ideas of Education

    will introduce you to some of the major educational theorists and the foundational ideas informing education practice today. This will help you to develop a personal perspective on the longstanding debate about the purpose and value of education.

  • International and Comparative Education

    gives you the tools and the opportunity to reflect on how diversity impacts education and what inequalities might emerge as a result. This will help you develop an understanding of attitudes towards others and allow you to reflect on forms of communication in contexts of diversity and their implications for education.

Optional modules

  • In recent years, optional modules have included: Disability and Educational Needs: What’s so ‘Special’ about SEND?

Core modules

  • Educational Research Methods

    will help you understand the purposes and implications of educational research. You will develop a critical appreciation of the different ways in which research can be carried out in education, and learn how to assess the quality of educational research.

Optional modules

  • In recent years, optional modules have included: Cultural Identity, Interculturality, and EducationConstructing Childhood and YouthHigher Education: Issues of Exclusion and InclusionAssessing EducationLearning LivesLearning and Development in ChildhoodDisability and Educational Needs: Impairment, Empowerment and Education.

Core modules

  • Dissertation: Disciplinary Contexts of Education

    You will undertake an extended, independent piece of research with an appropriate educational focus. The dissertation is an opportunity to bring together all the skills, knowledge and understanding gained on the course into one in-depth piece of work.

Optional modules

  • In recent years, optional modules have included: Education in a Global AgeDigital Society Theory and PracticeScience of LearningEducation, Mental Health and WellbeingUnderstanding the Arts in EducationThe Social Life of EducationDigital Society Theory & PracticeEvidence and Educational Policy.

Learning

The course is mainly delivered through lectures and seminars. Lectures often present, explain and critically analyse theories and relevant issues, whereas smaller group seminars normally focus upon peer-assisted interaction for debate and discussion. There may be some opportunity for study visits and/or fieldwork within specific modules. A large amount of time is spent on independent study and reading around topics, developing your capacity for critical analysis, reflection and evaluation. Independent study is supported by supervision, monitoring your development against learning outcomes.

Assessment

We promote diverse and creative forms of assessment so whilst many modules are assessed by essays, other modules may include portfolios, blogs, presentations or posters. The 12,000-word dissertation is worth one-third of your final-year marks.

Entry requirements

Fees & Funding

Choose which fees you want to see:

Home / Island students

£9,535 per year

International / EU Students

£26,500 per year

Home / Island students

Part Time - £ per year

International / EU Students

Part Time - £ per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

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Department Information

  • Embark on an Education degree at Durham and join us in a first-class experience which combines innovative teaching and exceptional support with a learning experience informed by the highest quality research. We offer courses for people who want to teach and for those who want to develop a broader background in education. Working together we can shape the education of the future. Our BA in Primary Education is rated outstanding by Ofsted. The programme provides the tools and support you need to become an inspiring and outstanding teacher who will make a difference to the lives of pupils, both now and in the future. We also offer a BA in Education Studies, which includes specialist pathway options in Geography, Psychology or Sociology. These broad, multidisciplinary degrees consider education, people and their function in the world. In addition to education-specific learning you have the option to choose modules from across the wider university to extend the breadth and depth of your experience. For more information see our department pages.

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    Facilities

    The School of Education is a diverse, inclusive and vibrant community of almost 100 staff and more than 900 students. Located on the main campus at Lower Mountjoy, we are conveniently located near the main library and lots of other departments and university services. Central to our teaching qualifications is the partnership between the University and schools in the area. We work with a diverse network of schools covering a wide geographical area, and if you choose a teaching qualification you will spend some of your time based in a school developing your professional skills to inspire the next generation.

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Career Opportunities

Of those students who graduated in 2021-22

95%

of our UK/EU graduates were in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation

HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk

Employability

Our students graduate with a broad range of transferable skills which open the door to careers across a wide range of sectors in the education sector and beyond.  Our BA in Primary Education offers the opportunity to gain Qualified Teacher Status with most graduates progressing directly into teaching. Graduates of the BA in Education Studies degrees move into a diverse range of roles including educational research, publishing, education administration, policy making and management as well as roles in the commercial or public sector. Some students choose further study, progressing to doctoral programmes, while others choose a Masters degree or a PGCE in primary or secondary education.

More Information

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