Education Studies BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  This education studies degree has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG4 Quality Education.

  If you are curious about education, keen to learn more and not sure yet where in the vast world of education you see yourself in the future – BA Education Studies here at the University of Northampton could be the place for you.

  BA Education Studies is a multi-disciplinary programme and is designed to explore the field of education from a range of perspectives including international education. From the very beginning we encourage a thoughtful, reflective and rigorous approach to challenging assumptions. You are encouraged to become critical thinkers questioning the very basis of education, able to critique policy, compare differing approaches and ultimately reflect on your own development as an educationalist. You will be well equipped for a range of careers working with children, young people, families and beyond.

  This programme is not limited by a focus on a specific age range. You will benefit from the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and understanding of education in its broadest sense. There are opportunities to learn about and apply this learning during placements with very young children, primary and/or secondary aged children, families, young people and continuing into adult education  – we believe passionately that education is relevant throughout the lifespan and can be found almost anywhere. You will be able to choose the age range and type of education setting that you wish to focus on, and you will be supported finding placements to fit your needs and interests.

  One of our current Education Studies students, Millie, has recently completed her first year placement, take a look at her story and see how inspiring these opportunities can be and how they can provide the first crucial steps in your career.

  Hear from our students

  • Shelena and Charlotte’s student story part one
  • Shelena and Charlotte’s student story part two
  • Millie’s a day in the life

  To provide you with a broad perspective on education in various contexts and settings, you will have the opportunity to visit numerous institutions across the UK. These experiences will enable you to immerse yourself in different environments, reflect on them, and explore a wide range of potential professions that might be the perfect fit for you.  All compulsory visits are inclusive of your course fees.

  Past visits have included local museums and heritage sites, forest schools, prisons, the Houses of Parliament, local schools, therapeutic outreach provisions, alternative provisions, the Museum of Childhood, and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

  Optional overseas visits are also available.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

  • Stage 1

    Stage One of this education studies degree provides a solid foundation by exploring a broader understanding of education including a basis in child development, and an exploration of what schools are, and could be. You will have the opportunity to apply this by observing practice during your placement towards the end of year one.

    • Recent and Contemporary Issues in Education (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1003

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to allow students to develop understandings of recent and contemporary education issues and related key themes in synthesis with their previous education experiences through creating an education autobiographical narrative, and by reflecting upon engagement and graduate employability.
    • Education in a Global Context (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1019

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the international context of education, both as a means of learning about other countries and also to better understand educational provision in the UK and Europe. Students will explore the historical, cultural and political dimensions that have an impact upon education initially by focusing upon the European perspective and then studying a range of wider global contexts and considerations. Students will evaluate both the education systems of individual countries around the world, as well as regional trends and global issues. Students will develop skills in comparative analysis related to international studies. These studies can be linked to voluntary visits to European destinations.
    • Supporting Learning in Education Settings (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1024

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to assist students in gaining knowledge and experinces that helps them gain voluntary or paid work with young people in an educational setting in the future. It may also benefit those who are considering a career in teaching or learning support and wish to gain some contextual undertstanding to help inform their decision.
    • Development, Health and Learning (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1027

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to support students to understand the holistic development of children and young people. This will allow students to appreciate the interplay of individual and structural factors that shape and influence the development, health and learning of children and young people.
    • Development, Health and Learning: Working Together (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1028

      Status: Compulsory
      This module builds on EDU1027 and aims to support students to appreciate how professionals work together towards best outcomes for children and young people. Through exploring the integrated nature and professional / other roles of development, health and learning, students will develop their own understanding of problem solving within children and young people?s services.
    • Introduction to Education Studies Part B (10 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1031

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to build on the content and the ways of working introduced in EDU1030. Students gain the academic grounding that will prove invaluable for subsequent modules undertaken in Education Studies by exploring six of the key academic disciplines that constitute Education Studies (history of education, philosophy of education, psychology of education, sociology of education, comparative education and curriculum studies).
    • Introduction to Education Studies PART A (10 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1032

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to ways of working within the subject area of Education Studies. In addition it introduces students to some of the academic disciplines that make up Education Studies as a subject.The module enables students to appreciate the necessity of both group and independent working as ways of understanding Education Studies. By demonstrating the use of group-work and by introducing topics, such as discussion, questioning, arguing, psychology, sociology, history, philosophy and the use of data, students are shown the value of learning in a social way and of supplementing that learning by engaging in pre and post session activities.
  • Stage 2

    This foundation from first year is built upon during Stage Two where global and diverse perspectives are explored and the placement opportunity at this stage could include time spent in a European country.

    • Debates in Education (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2002

      Status: Designate
      Debates in Education facilitates students? development of key graduate-employability skills of communication, argument, and analysis spontaneously in unpredictable live oral environments in which each student takes on the role of lecturers to research, present and lead debate of contended education issues, as well as reflectively in retrospective written reports.
    • Research Methods (Childhood and Youth and Education) (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2015

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will provide students with a grounding in independent research. Students will explore research methods in theory and application and gain practical research experience. A range of paradigms in social science research and related methodologies are investigated including evaluation of the suitability of different research designs, methodologies and methods. It will also provide students with underpinning understanding of independent research tools for the Level 6 dissertation.
    • Young People and Society Part 1 (SEN and inclusion) (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2023

      Status: Compulsory
      This module is designed to give students an understanding of the issues and debates related to Special Educational Needs and the impact on learners. Module content will focus on the individual perspectives of children, young people and learners together with professionals and society in general. Students will be expected to consider and reflect upon their own experiences and their own place within society.
    • Young People and Society part 2 (Diversity and Pluralism) (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2024

      Status: Compulsory
      This module is designed to give students an understanding of the issues and debates related to living in a diverse and plural society. The module content will focus on the features and impact of this diversity and will allow students to reflect and analyse a range of contemporary issues related to children, young people and families. Students will draw upon experience in various community settings.
    • Transitions for Children, Young People and Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2025

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to explore and analyse key transitions experienced by children, young people and families. This module considers what makes a `successful? transition and how this can be effectively supported. Initiatives, innovations and policies are examined in order to identify examples of good practice.
    • History of Childhood (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2026

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with opportunities to explore the relationships between ideas about childhood, the experience of being a child (especially in relation to education, work, social care and provision and family life ? but also including other areas, such as leisure and religion), and changes in the nature of childhood from Medieval times to the early twenty-first century.
    • Learning through Educational Visits and Exchanges (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2028

      Status: Designate
      This module enables students who participate in trips, visits and short exchanges to have credit for the study done whilst on such visits. The module introduces students to the international context of education, both as a means of learning about other countries and in order to better understand educational patterns in their home country. The aim of this module is to provide the learner with the opportunity to examine and analyse specific features of the host country to allow for comparative study. This is done in the context of education or services for children and young people.
    • Education and Heritage (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2029

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with opportunities to examine the value and use of historic collections, heritage sites and historic environments as an educational resources and sites of formal and informal experiential learning. It deals with the first-hand nature of learning on or around these culturally important sites, exploring how these collections and sites are used to create and communicate historical and cultural narratives. Students develop both their practical knowledge of the diverse roles of education in contemporary heritage and historical practice. While the module focuses on the UK experience of heritage, key international heritage concepts, bodies and institutions may also be discussed.
    • The Psychology of Learning and Teaching in Educational Settings (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY2025

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to view education from a psychological perspective and to become aware of the ways in which Psychology can be used to understand and to improve learning and teaching. Students will spend time observing and/or participating in an educational environment, which could be a school, college, training environment or other relevant setting.
  • Stage 3

    Throughout the educational studies degree there is an emphasis on embracing educational research, and during the third stage, you will complete a dissertation based upon your own research. The placement experience at this stage will be where you can critically reflect on the impact of research in practice and on yourself as an educationalist. Ultimately becoming the educational leaders and thinkers of the future.

    • Education, Culture and Society (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3004

      Status: Designate
      This module critically examines cultures within educational institutions and wider, socio-economic dimensions relating to children, young people and families. It is sociologically based but also draws upon the economic and business models, and the philosophy and politics that shape educational establishments and the behaviour of communities.
    • Exploring Deviance and Disaffection (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3026

      Status: Designate
      Exploring Deviance and Disaffection enables students to explore the diverse nature of deviance and disaffection from the theoretical and applied paradigms relevant to understanding the role of related social justice as it impacts on education, teachers, and learners.
    • Empowering Approaches in Working with Children and Young People (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3032

      Status: Designate
      This module is designed to involve students in the study of a range of approaches to working with young people to empower and enable them to reach their potential. The international research and theory concerning the approaches of social pedagogy, advocacy, youth work and play work are explored as examples of emancipatory approaches.
    • Educational Aims, Values and Ethics (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3038

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? ability to construct and critically deconstruct Philosophy of Education dialogues and arguments whilst developing students? understanding of contested education issues so that students are enabled to produce cogently argued positions (on topics that they find personally meaningful).
    • Critical Perspectives on Current Education Practices (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3039

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to explore the educational, social and political ideas of educational theorists, philosophers and practitioners that have significantly influenced the development of education and research about its purposes and methods from c.1750 to the present day. The contemporary relevance of the educators under scrutiny will be examined, making links between innovations in educational ideas, policy, research and practice of the past with those of today. The module is concerned with the philosophy of education, the history of educational theory and practice and the influence of this on current education practice.
    • Education Studies Research Report (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU4002

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is for students to explore an education-related topic in-depth. Students will conduct independent research in order to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of their chosen topic.
    • Education Studies Dissertation (40 Credits)
      Module code: EDU4007

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is for students to produce an extended piece of work which explores an education-related topic in-depth. Students will conduct independent research in order to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of their chosen topic.
    • Issues of Equality in Educational Settings (20 Credits)
      Module code: PDT3001

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is:For students to1. Understand how identity factors influence life chances2. Understand how social/historical and political factors influence life chances
    • Child and Adolescent Mental Health (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSY3026

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to review a range of theoretical approaches to the understanding of child & adolescent mental health. Students will develop a critical understanding of the nature of CAMH work, with a particular emphasis on the multifactorial nature of mental health in children & young people.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Education Studies degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your education studies course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs in education or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) for this educational studies degree offers a new and exciting route into studying for a BA (Hons) degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for BA Education Studies, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• Work Placements

  Work based learning opportunities are embedded throughout the Education Studies degree.

  In Year One, you will have 4 weeks of placement. The first week is arranged as a skills development week and this takes place on campus. This week enables you to feel fully prepared and ready to then spend the remaining three weeks in your placement setting of choice. The focus of this placement is learning and development, it takes place at the end of the first year so you are able to apply all of your theoretical learning from the first year to your observations of learning and development.

  In Year Two, you have four weeks of placement: By Year Two you already have a successful placement under your belt. In this placement there is some flexibility about how the four weeks are completed, this can include a week overseas and it can also be stretched out over a period of 6 to 7 weeks, timetable dependent. The focus in Year Two is on diversity and difference and you will reflect on inclusion in your placement setting. Assessment is via a reflective report where you apply theory to practice.

  In Year Three, you have two weeks of placement: These two weeks happen in the first half of the final year to enable you to spend the later part of the year focused on your own research. This placement focuses on empowering change, social inequality and creating solutions. This is a powerful conclusion to your work based learning and provides an excellent step from which to move into the next step in your career.

  Examples of work based learning settings:

  • Nursery
  • Primary school
  • Secondary school
  • Heritage Centre
  • Alternative provision for young people with mental health difficulties
  • Alternative provision for young people with behavioural difficulties
  • Charity to support families with children with autism and local charity providing community support
  • Special Educational Needs (SEN) school
  • Hospital outreach programme
  • Children’s home
  • University learning development team
  • Local library
  • Mental Health charity providing outdoor provision to support and improve community wellbeing.

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• FAQs

  How often will I need to attend?

  The amount of on-campus teaching for the education studies degree varies from module to module, as does how it is delivered. Generally, you will have the most time face-to-face with the lecturer in your first year. Some modules for this education studies degree in the second year will be taught off-campus on trips and visits and final year study is often based on tutorials and individual time with the lecturer rather than formal lectures.

  How will I be assessed on the Education Studies degree?

  There are no exams for Education Studies. Instead, assessments take the form of essays, portfolios, presentations, analysis and reflection.

  What can I do with an Education Studies degree?

  There are lots of options available to you, especially in the Education sector. This could be in school settings, government / local authorities or international settings too. If you would like to become a teacher after studying this course, we can support you into postgraduate study.

  Do students get to experience some of the education methods that are learnt about on BA Education Studies?

  Yes we teach you the theoretical and the experiential elements of the education studies. For example, we visit forest schools so that you get to experience that. Visits to museums and art galleries are also part of the course. Placements have been designed to enable students to look closely at education in action, so look at and find the theory that we have been learning about in practice. What is important is that students learn about the theory and research (which we do within the various modules), recognise what this looks like in reality (achieved through the placements) and then are able to reflect upon that (students reflect on their experiences during and afterwards).

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