BA (Hons) Education Studies

UCAS code: X300

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, part time: up to six years.

Campus: Kedleston Road, Derby

Number of students: 50

This course is available to international students

By studying this course, you'll get a broad knowledge of education. You'll be encouraged to think about the different aspects of education, where and how education happens, including primary education, secondary education, lifelong learning, and higher education.

Throughout the course you'll gain a deeper understanding of the aims of education and its role within society. You'll learn how education theory relates to the policy and practice which influences it, such as Government policies. You'll also consider education from a student perspective including motivation, different learners' needs and learner behaviour.

During stage two there is the opportunity for you to go on a work placement (12 days/72 hours) in a nursery, school or college of your choice, which will look great on your CV.

In stage two, you'll have the opportunity to visit a European school, Hogeschool Edith Stein in Holland.  If you are interested in learning about education in a developing country, then you might like to consider the fieldtrip we organise to the Gambia. It’s a two week trip that is self-funded, where you will have the opportunity to look at a range of different aspects of life in the Gambia that impact on education (numbers may be limited). These options will provide you with an insight into different levels of education provision and the associated issues surrounding economic, social and cultural development.

Specialist pathway

If you're interested in working in the field of Special Educational Needs, then you can choose to take the specialist pathway in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) during stage three. You'll gain a thorough understanding of special education, and the contexts within which it takes place. You'll be able to develop your own knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities, and challenge your beliefs and values in this ever changing society. There are a range of modules to choose from that will enable you to develop the relevant knowledge and expretise to pursue a career within this area.

It may be possible for you to enter directly into the final stage of this course if you have relevant qualifications. Typically the kind of qualifications that are considered include:

• Foundation degree in a related, appropriate subject area with a Merit grade
• Diploma or Certificate in the lifelong learning sector
• Diploma in Higher Education in a related, appropriate subject area.

If you would like to discuss this informally please contact our Direct Entry tutor Vanessa Cottle on:

• Tel: 01332 592208
• Email: v.cottle@derby.ac.uk

Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £7,700 (each year)

We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

You won't have to take any exams - you'll be assessed through essays, presentations, portfolios and case study analysis.

During this course you'll develop skills including time management; organisational skills; independent working; communication, including speaking and listening; presentation skills; team working and self confidence. These skills can be transferred into a range of employment opportunities once you have completed the course.

If you want to become a teacher, when you've completed this course you could apply to study our PGCE course. Our PGCE course offers you outstanding training and opportunities to develop the skills, qualities and subject knowledge you'll need to qualify as a primary school teacher, as well as giving you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Or you could study our Professional Graduate Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector which will give you Qualified Teaching Learning and Skills (QTLS) status in order to teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector.

"This course, as well as being extremely useful and relevant to prospective teachers is also one in which offers me different potential directions, which is a massive plus when looking into a degree qualification."
Sam Stephens, one of our current students

"The course offers a huge variety of options for those studying education to move forward in life and begin to challenge the notion and concept of education in our world"
Ian Chuck, one of our current students

"Everything I learned has been useful in my first year of teaching ... teacher training at Derby was a brilliant experience ... help is always on hand from the tutors."
Tracy Darby, one of our graduates

"I have seen first-hand how a lack of knowledge and understanding of financial matters can lead adults to make poor financial decisions and end up with large overdrafts and debts, and personally I didn't receive any education on the subject at school."
Vicki Carr, one of our current students

Vicki investigated the level of personal finance education given in a Derby secondary school, and attitudes to money among 13 and 14-year-olds. She researched into this for her Independant Study after an all-Parliamentary committee of MPs said there was an urgent need for children to be taught personal finance. Her report found teenagers knew education on cash handling was important and wanted more - but that teachers have to find time to include this teaching amongst other competing pressures. After her study was brought to the attention of the 'ifs School of Finance' which has a role in educating people on personal finance, Vicki was invited to London to brief its Vice Principal, Rod McKee, on her work. She was then interviewed in its magazine.