Education Studies with Foundation Year

Program Overview

Education Studies with Foundation Year

Overview

This is a highly practical degree, teamed with the theory you will need to succeed. Gain up to 9 weeks of experience within work-based placements. You'll gain invaluable classroom practice and will have flexible opportunities to experience other educational settings.

Why Study This Course

• Progressing into Teaching? FREE pre-teaching course and guaranteed interview for PGCE
• Choose from multiple degree combinations, allowing you to keep your career pathway open, whilst also being excellent preparation for PGCE courses.

Course Summary

Studying Education Studies at BGU will provide you with an excellent understanding of education in its widest sense, nationally and globally, and is a great course if you are interested in a career in teaching or are thinking about working in other education-related areas.

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons)
• UCAS code: X31F
• Duration: 4 years
• Mode of study: Full time
• Start date: September 2025
• Award: Bishop Grosseteste University
• Institution code: B38

What You Will Study

Foundation

• Self as Learner
• Resourcing Learning
• Critical Engagement
• Critical Thinking
• The Digital Learner
• Effective Communication
• Reflective Learning
• Academic Writing
• Perspectives on Learning

Year 1

• Understanding Education Inequality
• The Brain, the Mind and Education
• Child Development and Wellbeing

Year 2

• Social Justice: Diversity and Inclusion
• Thinking Through Pedagogy
• Vision to Reality
• Interpreting Education Research

Year 3

• Curriculum Debates and Future(s)
• Global Perspectives on Education
• Dissertation

Optional Modules

• Education in a Digital Era
• Becoming a Professional
• Language, Literacy and Learning
• Contexts for Learning

Entry Requirements

• Application for this course is via UCAS, although there is no formal requirement for UCAS points to access the course (normally GCSE English or equivalent is desirable).
• Different degree subjects may have specific entry requirements to allow you to progress from the Foundation Year.

How You Will Be Taught

• There is no one-size-fits-all method of teaching at BGU – we shape our methods to suit each subject and each group, combining the best aspects of traditional university teaching with innovative techniques to promote student participation and interactivity.

Academic Staff

• Dr Adam Hounslow-Eyre
• Dr Richard Newton
• Sean Ingoldsby
• Dr Sunny Dhillon

Assessment

• In Education Studies, assessment is carried out through coursework of different types, including essays, reports, oral presentations, multimedia presentations, reflective logs and portfolios.
• There are no examinations.

Careers & Further Study

• Education Studies graduates enjoy very high levels of employability – the course facilitates your personal and professional employability skills through regular work-based placements – and our students are in high demand.
• Currently, around 70% of our students complete a teacher training course and will go on to be highly successful Primary or Secondary teachers.
• An Education Studies degree from BGU means your career opportunities are diverse.
• In addition to careers in education, Education Studies graduates are well placed to work in other education-related, health, social care, public information or communication sectors.
• The course provides good training for a role within business, service industries, personnel, museums, galleries or charities.
• The diverse nature of this course will also enable you to go onto further study such as postgraduate study on a master's degree.

What Our Students Say

• 78% say staff value students' views and opinions about the course
• 93% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
• 95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Program Outline

Educational Studies with Foundation Year at Bishop Grosseteste University

Degree Overview:

This four-year program aims to equip students with knowledge and understanding of education in its widest sense, encompassing national and global perspectives. It prepares students for careers in teaching and other education-related fields. Key features include:

• Focuses on a "bigger picture" of education in a global society.
• Combines the theoretical aspects of education with practice through work-based placements.
• Offers a deep and reflective understanding of contemporary educational issues and their connection to everyday practice.
• Encourages development of a strong personal ideology of education.
• Cultivates employability skills through work-based placements.
The modules focus on:
• Self as Learner: Developing effective learning practices and strategies.
• Resourcing Learning: Finding and utilizing relevant resources.
• Critical Engagement and Critical Thinking: Analyzing information and developing critical thinking skills.
• The Digital Learner: Using digital tools effectively in learning.
• Effective Communication: Mastering various types of communication in different contexts.
• Reflective Learning: Reflecting on and planning future learning and professional development.
• Academic Writing: Developing academic writing skills for effective communication in the academic sphere.

Years 1, 2, 3:

Year 1 Modules:

• Child Development and Wellbeing: Exploring child development in relation to social, cultural, psychological, and educational factors.
• The Brain, the Mind and Education: Investigating the links between neuroscience, pedagogy, policy, and psychology in shaping learning and education.
• Understanding Education Inequality: Examining the role of societal factors like socioeconomic group and gender in educational achievement and exploring strategies for narrowing the gap in educational outcomes.
• Perspectives on Learning: Delving into various theoretical ideas and principles about learning across the lifespan, with a focus on both adult learning (andragogy) and child-centered learning theories (e.g., behaviorism and constructivism).

Year 2 Modules:

• Becoming a Professional: Preparing for professional roles through development of practical experience, skills, and critical reflection on professional identity and practice.
• Education in a Digital Era: Mastering the use of digital tools in the context of contemporary and future education, with focus on responsible and critical understanding of their strengths and limitations in teaching and learning.
• Interpreting Education Research: Developing skills for analyzing and interpreting research findings, including quantitative and qualitative data.
• Vision to Reality: Examining different historical and contemporary ideas about the purpose and practice of education, both within the UK and globally.

Year 3 Modules:

• Thinking Through Pedagogy: Critically examining various approaches to effective pedagogical practices based on contemporary research findings.
• Social Justice: Diversity and Inclusion: Studying the principles and practice of inclusive education, exploring diversity and inclusion in different contexts, and examining theories of inclusive practice.
• Contexts for Learning: Examining diverse contexts and settings for learning within different teaching and learning environments and organizations.
• Language, Literacy and Learning: Focusing on core areas of literacy (reading, writing, and speaking and listening) in the context of early years and primary education, including exploring historical and modern educational practices and policies shaping literacy education.
• Dissertation: Conducting a substantial research project on a topic of personal interest and relevance to contemporary educational issues, using appropriate research methodologies and approaches.
• Global Perspectives on Education: Analyzing education systems and practices in various international settings and their connections to global issues like human rights and citizenship.
• Curriculum Debates and Future(s): Engaging with current debates surrounding curriculum design, development, and implementation in various educational settings and considering future directions.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary across modules but typically involve a combination of essays, reports, presentations, multimedia presentations, reflective journals, and portfolios. Students receive formative and summative feedback throughout their studies.

Teaching:

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures: Presenting key concepts and ideas.
• Tutorials and seminars: Discussing issues raised in lectures and encouraging student participation.
• Independent study: Enhancing learning through personal research and analysis.
• Work-based placements: Gaining real-world experience in different educational settings.

Faculty:

Students are taught by highly qualified and experienced staff with expertise in their field. The program director is Dr Adam Hounslow-Eyre and other faculty members include Dr Richard Newton, Sean Ingoldsby, and Dr Sunny Dhillon.

Careers:

Educational Studies graduates enjoy high employability. Many choose careers in education (teaching) while others find roles in various related fields like health, social care, public information, and communications. The diverse nature of the degree also opens doors for postgraduate studies, especially master's programs.

Other:

• The program emphasizes personal and professional employability skills development through regular work-based placements.
• The university provides a supportive and student-centered learning environment with close student-staff interaction and personalized attention.
• Financial support and guidance are available for eligible students through various funding options.