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.
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.
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.
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 structure
Year 1
Core modules:
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.
Intercultural and International 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.
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.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Disability and Educational Needs: What’s so ‘Special’ about SEND?
Year 2
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.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Cultural Identity, Interculturality, and Education
Constructing Childhood and Youth
Higher Education: Issues of Exclusion and Inclusion
Assessing Education
Learning Lives
Learning and Development in Childhood
Disability and Educational Needs: Impairment, Empowerment and Education.
Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad)
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.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Education in a Global Age
Digital Society Theory and Practice
Science of Learning
Education, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Understanding the Arts in Education
The Social Life of Education
Digital Society Theory & Practice
Evidence and Educational Policy
Additional pathways
Students on BA Education Studies can apply to be transferred onto either the ‘with Year Abroad’ or ‘with Placement’ pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.
Placement
You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.
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.
IB Diploma score – 36 with 665 in higher level subjects.
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. For more information or contact our Admissions Selectors.
We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.
The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time 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).
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.
Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:
92% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes
Of those in employment:
91% are in high skilled employment
With an average salary of £26,100.
(Source: 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)
Department information
Education, School of
Develop your expertise and deepen your knowledge at one of the UK’s leading Schools of Education. Gain all the knowledge, skills and experience you’ll need to become a first-rate primary teacher or choose a multidisciplinary course that takes a broader look at the role of education in society.
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.
2nd for Outstanding Research in Education (REF 2021).
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.
Apply
Find out more:
Use the UCAS code below when applying:
Apply
X305
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles applications for all undergraduate courses.
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