Undergraduate Course

English and Education Studies

BA (Hons)*


 * This course is subject to validation 

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

112 (September 2024 entry)112 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

QX33

Start date

September

Location

Derby Campus

English and Education Studies at Derby

English at Derby is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of literature, but also considers the situations in which literature is produced and read. This means your studies will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology, as well as contemporary cultural politics. You will be introduced to a range of cultural expression from across the globe and from diverse historical periods.

There is the opportunity to broaden your experience with work-based learning projects, study visits to cultural and heritage institutions, as well as lectures and seminars delivered by guest speakers.

Studying Education at Derby provides you with an intellectually stimulating course that will make you an authority on current education policy and practice. You will be provided with a solid understanding of education and educational equality, bringing together perspectives from history, psychology, sociology and philosophy.

Your Education Studies modules will explore the role of education in society and examines how moral and social issues shape learning. You’ll then be able to apply this practically on work placement opportunities throughout your studies. 

Putting theory into practice 

You’ll benefit from varied teaching approaches, including guest speakers from a range of industry backgrounds, real-world learning opportunities such as live briefs, and projects set by industry, so you’ll graduate with a wealth of experience. 

A classroom of children with words hanging from the ceiling.

Choose your pathway

Studying an English and Education Studies Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally.  
You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally. 

In this combination English is the major subject and Education Studies is the minor subject. 

In this pathway you study English and Education Studies equally. 

In this pathway you study Education Studies and English equally.

In this combination Education Studies is the major subject and English is the minor subject. Please note, if you would like to progress to teach English at a secondary level this pathway would not be suitable, you would need to study both subjects joint or major in History. 

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Inspiring Joanna to push for her ultimate dream

Joanna had always believed that her dreams were beyond her. No longer. Joanna has been inspired, challenged and pushed past what she thought was possible on our BA (Hons) Education Studies with SEND pathway. She now has her sights set firmly on a PhD and a career as an Educational Psycholologist.

Read Joanna's storyRead Joanna's story
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.

Read Jack's storyRead Jack's story

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

What you will study

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

On your English modules you’ll learn through a mixture of:  


For Education Studies modules, you will be taught using a variety of methods from directed study, lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will be taught by influential researchers and published authors whose work is shaping the debate about the future of education. Their research in education includes topics such as:   

How you are assessed

For English modules, our assessment strategy is designed to produce confident, articulate graduates with a broad set of skills. There are no exams and forms of assessment include seminar debates, group presentations and conference papers alongside essays and longer research projects. We place great emphasis on developing your research skills, with independent projects playing a key part in the second and third year of the course.  
For Education Studies modules, you won’t have to take any exams. You will be assessed through course work, including essays, presentations, portfolios, reports and case study analysis. 

Who will teach you 

You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts.  

Robin Sims

Dr Robin Sims
Programme leader specialising in critical theory and postmodernism

Programme Leader

Email
r.sims@derby.ac.uk
View full staff profileView full staff profile

Michelle Appleby
Senior Lecturer for BA (Hons) Education Studies Assistant Programme Leader for MA Education Childhood Pathway Leader for MA Education JHS Education Studies Advisor

I am a trained American elementary education teacher with a specialism in Science and Creative Arts. My Master's Degree is as a Reading Specialist. I am a passionate leader who is self-motivated and confident.

Email
m.appleby@derby.ac.uk
View full staff profileView full staff profile
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Personal Academic Tutoring

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Learn more

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112
A LevelBBB-BBC
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 21, Merit: 24, Pass: 0

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112
A LevelBBC
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

This degree will open up a range of career options. However, we also recognise the importance of supporting you to develop the skills sought by employers to maximise your employability.

We will provide you with the skills to engage critically with the world in which you live, as well as developing your understanding of cultural difference and of the capacity of language to produce unintended effects and meanings. Such awareness is hugely valuable to employers. As well as teaching, graduates in English have gone on to have careers in journalism, publishing, arts administration and a range of other graduate-level professions.

Studying Education Studies offers a wide range of career opportunities, not only in education but also in social care, health care, careers and guidance, and the voluntary sector.   
Our graduates are now enjoying success as:  

Throughout the course, we place great emphasis on improving your employability. We encourage students to showcase their future aspirations and explore the many career directions available.   
If you’d like to train to be a teacher, you will be guaranteed an interview for our PGCE Primary if you meet the entry requirements.  
You could also apply to study our PGCE Post-14 (Education and Training) or enhance your career prospects further still by continuing to study with us at masters level. 

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

Career Support Image

96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

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Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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