Program Overview

BSc Education

Overview

The BSc Education is a three-year undergraduate degree that draws upon psychology, sociology, and critical policy analysis to help explain and understand teaching and learning processes, the mechanisms of and solutions to global inequalities both within and beyond education, and how such issues are affected by government policies on education.

Aims

The BSc Education aims overall to offer students a broad-based but thorough education, underpinned by research at the cutting edge of theory and practice. It will equip students to contribute to improvements in the quality of education for students, their families and communities in educational settings throughout the world.

Course Description

BSc Education course is ideally suited for those who wish to:

• begin a career pathway towards Primary or Early Years teaching (eg through PGCE Primary);
• begin a career pathway towards professional psychology training routes, with an educational focus (eg educational psychology);
• enter other education-based vocations, with a specialism towards pastoral responsibilities and/or special educational needs;
• enter a career in Teaching English as a Second Language and/or Non-Government Organisations (NGO) focused on community education or adult learning both in the UK and overseas;
• prepare for a research career within the public sector and/or private industry

Course Structure

The course is divided into three years, with each year building on the previous one.

Year 1

Year 1 introduces the research and study skills expected of students accessing a first year undergraduate course. This includes developing understanding in the core disciplines that underpin education - psychology, sociology and critical policy studies for instance, by recognising and juxtaposing key theories and issues regarding education locally and globally.

Year 2

Year 2 places stronger demands on students to think critically and evaluate information and evidence. There is a greater emphasis on the application of theory to key educational problems through preparing for a research project and the completion of 40 hours in an educational organisation of your choice.

Year 3

In Year 3, you are offered the opportunity to deepen and apply your skills and knowledge - through your elected specialism (if you have chosen one), a range of optional units, and your dissertation project.

Course Units

Year 1

• Developing Academic Writing and Digital Study Skills
• Understanding Research
• Key Issues in Education
• Sociology of Education
• Education in a Global Context
• Education Futures: Navigating Careers and Professionalism in a Global Context
• Introduction to Psychology of Education

Year 2

• Planning for an Education Research Project with Placement
• Social Psychology of Schooling
• Social Justice in Education
• Inclusive Education in Practice
• Teaching and Learning of Mathematics
• Teaching & Learning Literacy
• Digital Technologies in Education
• Pedagogic Practices in Action in Education
• Intercultural Learning
• International Education Systems and Policy
• Critical Perspectives on Difference in Education Internationally
• Childhood and Youth in Society

Year 3

• Dissertation BSc (Hons) Education
• Democratising Education
• Theories of Equity in Education
• Classroom Communication and Learning
• Critical pedagogies and Higher Education in Global Majority Contexts
• Language Acquisition at Home and School
• Race, Racism and Ethnicity in Education
• Environment Sustainability Education
• Mental Health and Wellbeing in Continuing (Further, Adult and Higher) Education
• Curriculum and pedagogy: international comparisons
• Educational Leadership

Assessment

You will be assessed through various methods including:

• essays
• team projects
• coursework
• presentations
• podcasts
• reflective portfolios
• blog posts
• a major project

Facilities

This course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE), which has an incredibly strong heritage - education has been a field of study at The University of Manchester since 1890.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of education and competency in professional educational environments. Potential career routes for BSc Education graduates include:

• primary and early years education
• special needs teaching
• youth work
• child and adolescent counselling and educational psychology
• mental health assistance
• school-based intervention training and delivery
• educational officer training (for local authorities)
• teaching English as a second language
• non-government organisations (NGOs) focused on community education
• or simply continue with their postgraduate studies and engage with academic research

Entry Requirements

A-level

• ABB
• Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

A-level Contextual Offer

• BBC
• Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

UK Refugee/Care-Experienced Offer

• BBC
• Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

International Baccalaureate

• 34 points overall
• 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects

GCSE/IGCSE

• Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 4 or Grade C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and Mathematics.

Other Entry Requirements

• Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.

Fees and Funding

Fees

• Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

Scholarships/Sponsorships

• We are committed to attracting and supporting the very best students from all backgrounds to study this course.
• You could be eligible for cash bursaries of up to £2,500 to support your studies.

Application and Selection

How to Apply

• Apply through UCAS

Home-Schooled Applicants

• If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying.

Non-Standard Educational Routes

• Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences.

Disability Support

• Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.