Education Studies BA (Hons)

Overview

The BA (Hons) Education Studies 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 early years to adult learning, engaging with concepts that impact education such as social justice, neurodiversity, curriculum design, globalisation, and technological and political influences.

Why Choose This Course?

• 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.

Year 1 (National Level 4)

• Core Modules:
  • 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)

Entry Requirements

Our typical offer is:

• Irish Leaving Certificate: 112 UCAS points – Students must have H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths & English.
• QQI/FETAC 5: Pass profile overall. For entry we also require H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths and English from Irish Leaving Certificate.

Fees and Finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

• £9,535 if you are from the UK/Europe
• £16,500 if you are an international student

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.

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.

Library Services

University library services will be central to your study experience and are delivered at our two libraries on campus, as well as online. Our libraries offer a variety of study environments to meet your needs, including areas for groupwork, individual and silent study. You’ll also have access to desktop PCs, space to use your own mobile technology and printing facilities.

The library works closely with academic staff within each faculty to offer specialist, industry standard resources in your subject discipline. The Faculty of Education provides thousands of relevant books and e-books, with many more titles available through the inter-library loan service. You’ll also have access to a comprehensive range of print and electronic journals which are always kept up to date, including the EBSCO Professional Development Collection, Community Care Inform, JSTOR and many more.

IT Provision

You can access free Wi-Fi throughout the University campus, so you can work from anywhere. If you don't want to carry a laptop around, just use one of the University’s PCs or Macs. We have hundreds of computers for you to use in the Murray Library, St Peter's Library, and the David Goldman Informatics Centre. If you ever have any technical problems, just ask the friendly helpdesk team.

Education Studies (BA Hons) at the University of Sunderland: A Detailed Overview

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Degree Overview:

• Objective: To provide a comprehensive understanding of education principles, systems, and structures.
You will critically explore all phases of education, from historical, philosophical, sociological, and psychological perspectives.
• Focus: This course is ideal for anyone interested in working in the education sector but unsure about their career path.
You will explore diverse interests throughout the course and be guaranteed an interview for a PGCE degree if you wish to become a teacher.
• Highlights:
• Focuses on all phases of education for tailored career planning.
• Increased student-led assessment in the second year with placement, curriculum design project, and individual research plan.
• Ranked 12th in the UK for Education courses (Guardian University Guide, 2023).
• 2nd in the North East for Graduate Prospects Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2024).

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Outline:

• Structure:
• Small group work, workshops, lectures, tutorials, computer-based learning, presentations, and independent learning.
• One-to-one support from academic staff.
• Part-time option available for qualified applicants.
• Assessment:
• Essays, reports, group work, seminar presentations, and self-evaluation.
• Modules:

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Year 1:

• History and Purpose of Education (30 credits): Explore the evolution of educational aims, policies, and practices from pre-history to the present day.
• Introduction to Philosophy of Education (30 credits): Introduction to philosophical debates and techniques for critical thinking and exploring philosophical ideas in education.
• Sociology of Education (30 credits): Develop an understanding of sociocultural issues and their impact on education.
Explore the public schooling system and expanding education and learning opportunities.
• Psychology of Education (30 credits): Learn about the nature and psychology of learning in children and adults.
Consider learning processes, assessment, and diverse learning contexts while reflecting upon the impact of the pedagogical and psychological factors.

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Year 2:

• Neurodiversity in Education (30 credits): Understand policy and practice's impact on the education and care of children, young people, and adults with special educational needs and/or disabilities in a neurodiverse society.
Explore the legislative framework, identification processes, assessment, and intervention. Analyze the role of key agencies in health, education, and care.
• Research in Education (30 credits): Explore research skills and techniques to conduct small-scale research projects within an educational context.
Further prepare for your final year research project. Examine the nature of the research process and merits/demerits of qualitative and quantitative research.
• Voluntary Practice and Career Development (30 credits): Undertake a placement in various educational environments.
Develop transferable skills for career prospects and share your knowledge to demonstrate organizational, communication, interpersonal, reflective, and critical thinking skills. Spend a minimum of 40 hours in voluntary career-related experiences.

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Optional Modules:

• Teaching and Learning in Mathematics (30 credits): Investigate the nature of mathematics and how it is viewed.
Develop your subject knowledge, evaluate appropriate pedagogies, and assess areas within the mathematics curriculum.
• Teaching and Learning in English (30 credits): Investigate the nature of English and its perception.
Develop your subject knowledge, evaluate appropriate pedagogies, and assess areas within the English curriculum.

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Year 3:

• The Future of Learning (30 credits): Revisit education's aims and consider the current and future needs of society and the role education plays.
Gain an understanding of how education adapts to the changing world and the needs of individuals and society.
• Design and Innovation in Education (30 credits): Develop your problem-solving, innovation, and autonomy skills.
Undertake a self-initiated project in line with your subject interests and career aspirations. Design and create a solution following a rigorous design process. Gain skills relevant to curriculum design, resource development, and solution-focused practice in education.
• Dissertation in Education Studies (40 credits): Examine a specific area of educational research of interest to your studies and future career goals.
Demonstrate a critical appreciation for your chosen educational issue by conducting, analyzing, evaluating, and communicating your independent research dissertation. Equip yourself to study at postgraduate level or gain employment at more senior levels within your current or aspired employment.

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Optional Modules:

• Leading Change in Education (20 credits): Explore leadership and change management in UK and international educational contexts, including psychological, political, and practical aspects.
Raise awareness of your professional responsibility as an educator and identify your role as leader within the profession. Gain a deeper understanding of how your approach to professional practice can affect others and vice versa.
• Ethics, Morals and Values in Education (20 credits): Investigate the moral life of educational organizations and critically evaluate the values underpinning their judgments and practices.
Identify dominant ethical frameworks for decision-making in education and apply them to your own thinking. Explore ethical theories and considerations like the morality of religion, utilitarianism, obligation/duty, promoting virtue, and caring for one another as an overriding concern in education.

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Careers:

• This degree prepares you for careers in various aspects of the education system, such as informal and vocational learning, care, training, professional development, and curriculum development.
• Please note: This course DOES NOT qualify you as a teacher.
However, you will be guaranteed an interview for a PGCE degree at the University of Sunderland if you decide to pursue a teaching career.

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Other:

• This course is subject to revalidation to meet the requirements for Initial Teacher Training from 2024.
• You can access free Wi-Fi throughout the campus.
• You'll have access to hundreds of PCs and Macs at the Murray Library, St Peter's Library, and David Goldman Informatics Centre.
• You'll have access to desktop PCs, space to use your own mobile technology, and printing facilities.
• The library offers specialist, industry-standard resources in your subject discipline.
The Faculty of Education provides thousands of relevant books and e-books, with many more titles available through the inter-library loan service. You'll also have access to a comprehensive range of print and electronic journals always kept up to date, including the EBSCO Professional Development Collection.

I hope this detailed extraction of the Education Studies program at the University of Sunderland provides you with the information you need. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

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The annual, full-time fee for this course is: £9,250 if you're from the UK/Europe £16,000 if you're an international student (EU nationals will receive a £5,750 scholarship to reduce their fee to £10,250) Part-time fees are £6,935 per 120 credits. Part-time study isn't available to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK.

• The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter.
Learn more in our Help and Advice article.

University of Sunderland

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Overview:

The University of Sunderland is a public university located in Sunderland, England. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university has a strong focus on providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for its students.

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Services Offered:

The University of Sunderland provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Access to libraries, learning resources, and academic advisors.

Student Support:

Counseling, mental health services, and disability support.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options.

Career Services:

Career guidance, job search assistance, and internship opportunities.

Student Life:

A vibrant student union, clubs, societies, and social events.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university boasts a diverse and inclusive campus community where students can connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Students can participate in extracurricular activities, engage in personal and professional development opportunities, and enjoy a vibrant social scene.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Top-Quality Facilities:

The university has modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, sports facilities, and dedicated learning spaces.

Inclusive Culture:

The university fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.

Vibrant City:

Sunderland is a dynamic city with a rich history and a low cost of living.

Strong Industry Links:

The university has strong connections with local businesses and industries, providing students with valuable career opportunities.

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Academic Programs:

The University of Sunderland offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Arts and Design:

Fashion, Photography, Fine Art, and Graphic Design.

Sciences:

Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, and Biology.

Business and Law:

Business Management, Finance, Law, and Tourism.

Computing and Engineering:

Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

Education and Social Sciences:

Education, Psychology, and Social Work.

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Other:

The university has campuses in Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong, offering students a global learning experience. It is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability and equality, diversity, and inclusion.