Program Overview

Education Studies with Integrated Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Overview

The BA (Hons) Education Studies with Integrated Foundation Year will give you a detailed understanding of the principles of education and its systems and structures. You'll critically explore all phases of education from a range of historical, philosophical, sociological, and psychological perspectives.

An education studies degree is a great option for anyone who's interested in working in the education sector but may be unsure which career route they would like to take. You'll have the chance to discover your passion throughout the course and if you want to continue training and become a teacher when you graduate, you'll be guaranteed an interview for a PGCE degree at the University of Sunderland.

Why Us?

• This education studies degree focuses on all phases of education so you can tailor the course to your personal career plan
• Stage 2 offers increased student-led assessment with your choice of placement, curriculum design project and individual research plan
• Our Education courses are in the top 50 in the UK (Guardian University Guide, 2025)

Course Structure

The BA (Hons) Education Studies degree is taught via small group work, workshops, lectures, tutorials, computer-based learning, presentations and independent learning.

Foundation Year:

• Foundations of Education, Development and Wellbeing (40 credits)
• Professional Challenges in Education, Development and Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Essential Study Skills (20 credits)
• Foundation Project (20 credits)
• Practical Numeracy Skills (20 credits)

Year 1 (national level 4):

• History and Purpose of Education (30 credits)
• Introduction to Philosophy of Education (30 credits)
• Sociology of Education (30 credits)
• Psychology of Education (30 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

• Core modules:
  • Neurodiversity in Education (30 credits)
  • Research in Education (30 credits)
  • Voluntary Practice and Career Development (30 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Teaching and Learning in Mathematics (30 credits)
  • Teaching and Learning in English (30 credits)

Year 3 (national level 6):

• Core modules:
  • The Future of Learning (30 credits)
  • Design and Innovation in Education (30 credits)
  • Dissertation in Education Studies (40 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Leading Change in Education (20 credits)
  • Ethics, Morals and Values in Education (20 credits)

Facilities

You'll be based at the recently refurbished Wearside View, situated on the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. This stunning riverside location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city centre and City Campus.

Entry Requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for Ireland. Please contact the Student Admin team on or .

Eligible entry qualifications:

• If you're unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us.

Fees and Finance

The annual fee for this course is £5,760.

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £5,760. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

If you're a full-time UK student, you may be eligible to receive financial support to cover your fee and maintenance loan for the full four years.

Please note, this course isn't available to international students.

Career Ready

The BA (Hons) Education Studies degree prepares you for a career in many different aspects of the education system. These include informal and vocational learning, care, training, professional development, and curriculum development. The course will help you build your research skills, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking, all important transferable skills useful in a range of careers.

Please note, this course doesn't qualify you as a teacher. However, if you do decide to become a teacher once you've completed your degree, you'll be guaranteed an interview for one of our PGCE courses at the University of Sunderland.