Course summary
Are you interested in why people learn in different ways? Do you want to find out more about barriers to learning and how learning supports childhood development? Maybe you’d like to know more about the ways in which politics can impact education and education in diverse cultures? The BA Education Studies is an ideal qualification if you are fascinated by the learning process and education as a global phenomenon and you want to keep your career options open. Learning and education profoundly shape all our lives and we consider these in the broadest possible sense. From the philosophical foundations of schooling to the political implications of policy, education is a vast field that has multiple avenues to approach a seemingly straightforward subject. Our degree goes far beyond any classroom and considers education, people and their relationship to the ever-changing world. The curriculum draws on research carried out in the Department to keep the course content relevant and up to date. The breadth of modules allows you to create your own pathway through the course. You can choose to focus purely on educational studies, or incorporate a sociology, psychology or geography element to your studies. This BA will prepare you for a career in many different areas, both in the education sector and beyond. It can provide the first step towards a career as a teacher or researcher, and supports roles in publishing, policy making, the voluntary and public sectors, as well as many more.
Modules
Year 1 Core modules: Historical and Philosophical Ideas of Education will introduce you to some of the major educational theorists and the foundational ideas informing education practice today. This will help you to develop a personal perspective on the longstanding debate about the purpose and value of education. Introduction to Intercultural and International Education gives you the tools and the opportunity to reflect on how diversity impacts education and what inequalities might emerge as a result. This will help you develop an understanding of attitudes towards others and allow you to reflect on forms of communication in contexts of diversity and their implications for education. Contemporary Issues and Evidence in Education will introduce you to a range of contemporary issues in education and the nature and scope of the supporting evidence. With a range of guest speakers from across the Department you will gain a grounding in a variety of issues at stake. Foundations of Psychology in Education serves as a basis for an understanding of psychological principles, processes and theories in education. The module addresses cognitive and non-cognitive person characteristics that may explain individual differences in learning processes and outcomes. Examples of optional modules: Disability and Educational Needs: What’s so ‘Special’ about SEND? Year 2 Core modules: Educational Research Methods will help you understand the purposes and implications of educational research. You will develop a critical appreciation of the different ways in which research can be carried out in education, and learn how to assess the quality of educational research. Examples of optional modules: Cultural Identity, Interculturality, and Education Constructing Childhood and Youth Higher Education: Issues of Exclusion and Inclusion Assessing Education Learning Lives Learning and Development in Childhood Disability and Educational Needs: Impairment, Empowerment and Education. Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad) Core modules: Dissertation: Disciplinary Contexts of Education - you will undertake an extended, independent piece of research with an appropriate educational focus. The dissertation is an opportunity to bring together all the skills, knowledge and understanding gained on the course into one in-depth piece of work. Examples of optional modules: Education in a Global Age Digital Society Theory and Practice The Science of Learning Education, Mental Health and Wellbeing Understanding the Arts in Education The Social Life of Education Digital Society Theory & Practice Evidence and Educational Policy.
Assessment method
We promote diverse and creative forms of assessment so whilst many modules are assessed by essays, other modules may include portfolios, blogs, presentations or posters. The 12,000-word dissertation is worth one-third of your final-year marks.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you’re eligible to apply.
EU
Wales
England
International
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- X305
- Institution code:
- D86
- Campus name:
- Durham City
- Campus code:
- O
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Scottish Higher - AAABB
Scottish Advanced Higher - AAB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 36 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) - Not accepted
Extended Project - Not accepted
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, M2
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD
T Level
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBC (or equivalent). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £24750 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £24750 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE