Education Studies, BA

The BA (Hons) Education Studies is a highly thought-provoking course and offers you the chance to explore some of the fundamental questions underpinning education and the world around us. In connection with this, it is our strong desire that the degree is socially relevant and helps all our students to understand why education must have a central function in building a just and sustainable world.

Our aim is therefore to provide an empowering personal and intellectual experience for both students and staff, who unite in their service to people not just living in the present, but also for generations still to come. To achieve this, you will examine education in a variety of stimulating contexts and you will be given the opportunity to explore topical and contentious issues such as how education relates to sustainability and to social justice.

The modules you study in your first year with us are:

How do humans think and learn

What are schools for?

Social justice and the pedagogy of freedom

Health, well-being and positivity 

An introduction to research and knowledge construction

Sustainability, education and action for hope

You can see an overview of your second and third year modules by visiting the BA Education Studies Course Page here.

Study Support

As you embark on your academic journey, you’ll be fully supported to ensure you get the most out of your learning experience. During Induction Week, you’ll take part in specific sessions, meet your module tutors, and have IT and library induction sessions to help you navigate the digital tools essential for your studies. You’ll also be introduced to our Virtual Learning Environment, which will be central to your learning, and be informed about the wide range of student support services available, including dedicated mental health and well-being support. At the outset of your course, you’ll be assigned a personal academic tutor who will guide you throughout your studies, offering both academic advice and pastoral support. You’ll also have access to the Learning Hub, an online platform packed with resources to help you develop key academic skills. The hub has been developed by Learning Developers and Learning & Research Librarians with your needs in mind. Here you will find a range of modules with tips to help you develop your study, academic and research skills.

Keep up to date with news articles on education before you arrive. These websites refer explicitly to contemporary issues in the world of education - have a read of some of their articles.

• www.tes.co.uk

PRE-ARRIVAL TASK

Task 1

If you could design your perfect education for human beings aged 11-18 what would it look like. Think about:

WHY? What are the values behind your ideas? What is point?

WHERE? In a building(s)? Outside? Virtual?

WHAT? Should humans learn at that age and stage? Skills, knowledge? Attitudes?

HOW? Would learners learn? Teachers? Classrooms?

SO WHAT? How would you know your ideals are becoming a reality? Tests?

Task 2

Find a newspaper article from the Guardian Website www.theguardian.com/education. Consider inclusion and education and bring an article to the first session to discuss with your peers and tutors. The article could examine the barriers to inclusive practice in Education. You could consider the impact on Educational outcomes and differences in outcomes dependent on class, race , gender and disability.

Your welcome and induction will be w/c 15th September 2025 - we look forward to meeting you then.

Choose a selection from the following books including one that looks interesting, one that looks readable and one that looks challenging. We’ll want to hear all about your reading experience in the first few weeks of term.

This is an ideal book for the course and contains core Reading.

Bartlett,S. & Burton,D. (2020). Introduction to Education Studies. London. SAGE

This book is essential reading for for year 1 and relates to an exciting module on Social Justice and the Pedagogy of Freedom.

Smith, E.(2018).Key Issues in Education and Social Justice, London. SAGE

Suggested Reading to support study

• Gorski, P & Porthini, S. (2024). Case Studies and Social Justice Education (Equity and Social Justice in Education Series). Routledge London
• Hooks, B.(2015) Teaching Community. A pedagogy of hope. London. Routledge
• Olson,H. & Raminez,J (2020) An Introduction to Theories of Learning
• Pulsford, M & Morris, R et al,. Understanding Education Studies Critical Issues and New Directions. London. Routledge

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in September.