Institute of Education

The Institute of Education at the University of Derby has a tradition of excellence. We offer a great student experience, always focusing on you as an individual and working hard to prepare you for the challenges of 21st century teaching and learning. Our courses are current, topical, relevant and designed to help you progress in your career.

Top30for Education**The Guardian University Guide 2024
Top15for teaching quality - Education**National Student Survey 2023

Excited about Education

At Derby, we offer a great student experience, always focusing on you as an individual and working hard to prepare you for the challenges of 21st century teaching and learning. In a climate of almost constant change, the education agenda is sometimes influenced by rapid shifts in policy and the needs of the contemporary workplace. Our aim is to prepare you to meet these challenges as they are translated to the modern classroom.

We specialise in Initial Teacher Education, Childhood Studies, Education Studies, SEND, School Direct and Post 14 and Postgraduate Studies.

We have top class courses - Ofsted rated our Primary Education and Further Education (Post-14) courses as 'outstanding' in 2015, and in the Newly Qualified Teacher Survey our students rated their training as among the best in the country. We are proud to have been successful in our ITT accreditation application for September 2024.

student in classroom with child

The Institute of Education's Partnership Hub

We offer a variety of ways that we can work in partnership with you, whether you're looking for placement students, to dedicated School Improvement support.

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Jack Holcombe

Following a passion

Every day, Jack Holcombe sets himself a target. And it’s always the same: to bring a sense of energy, excitement and joy to the people around him. They could be his friends or the people he meets through his course or on work experience.

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A portrait shot of Sarah Charles, Head of the Institute of Education

As a Guardian Top 30 provider, we have a strong focus on the application of research to real-world settings and professional partnerships, with over 500 educational settings, your employability prospects are maximised.

Dr Sarah Charles
Head of the Institute of Education

Head of the Institute of Education, Dr Sarah Charles, says, "We are an accessible and inclusive provider of quality programmes. Our campus and on-line learning communities are diverse, being comprised of undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers from both the UK and international settings. This diversity expands horizons, facilitating the development of global perspectives, new skills, professional networks and friendships."

"We promote excellence and expertise in educational research. Our REF 2021 results illustrate that our public service research underpins our curricula and impacts regionally, nationally and internationally, shaping education policy, pedagogy and practice."

Teacher training student, Amy Hill

'Brilliant' teaching justifies University's reputation, says Amy

Our student Amy Hill’s choice of university was swayed by our reputation for teaching excellence.

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MEdu Primary Education student, Abi Cheetham

No A-Levels? No problem for Abi

Abi Cheetham didn’t do A-levels. She left school after her GCSEs. But now she’s studying for a masters degree at the University of Derby and is on course to become a primary school teacher.

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