Education Studies - BA/BA (Hons)

On this course you will:

• Study contemporary issues in education, psychology and sociology to develop a sound knowledge base of human developmental pathways and the range of factors that affect them.
• Gain an understanding of how pedagogic theory and knowledge informs educational practice.
• Develop your academic literacies including digital, data and outdoor literacy.
• Develop research skills to enable you to develop as an autonomous, critically thinking reflective professional.
• Learn how to build positive relationships with learners and work alongside other professionals through practical experience in educational and community settings.
• Learn how to assess individual needs and plan inclusive learning experiences taking account of diversity and difference.
• Develop in-demand and transferable skills in education and beyond.
• Be prepared for a variety of careers that involve working closely with adults, children and young people, and help them develop the knowledge they will need to help shape policies and influence laws and legislation concerning positive educational outcomes.
• Engage in the wider socio-political issues that affect education on every level and how this in turn influences educational outcomes for children, young people and adults.
• Consider the historical trajectory of educational provision, current trends and the direction of education for the future, both in the UK and overseas.
• Benefit from both practical and theoretical learning opportunities which enable students to meet the challenges as well as recognise the rewards of working in a wide variety of formal and informal educational settings. 

At QMU we are committed to widening access to education and we welcome applications from all backgrounds and genders.

Structure

You can opt to study for an honours degree over four years or an ordinary degree over three years.

Teaching, learning and assessment

You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, enquiry-based learning, student-led activity, independent study, online group tutorials, school experience, and community placements. Assessment methods are varied, including essays, reports, presentations, blogs and audiovisual submissions.

Placements

Placements are essential to your Education Studies development and you will benefit from hands-on, real-world experience in each of your four years of study. Community-based placements will be offered but students are advised to also secure their own. QMU will support this process.

Exchange opportunities

In Years Two or Three (subject to availability), you will have the opportunity to study overseas (subject to availability) for one semester, or over the summer months. Learn more about studying abroad.  

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

Year One

You will:

• begin to develop and understanding of education theory;
• complete a 5-day (or equivalent) Community-based education experience. See 'Placement' tab for more information on this; and
• work towards a qualification in British Sign Language (BSL).

Modules

• Introduction to Education Studies in 21st Century
• Developing Academic Literacies
• Introduction to Psychology 1
• Learning through the Lifespan
• Sustainable Human Behaviour Learning for Sustainability
• The Sociological Imagination
• Complete a 5 day (or equivalent) Community-based education experience. See 'Placement' tab for more information on this.

Year Two

You will:

• explore and understand the diversity of learners and the complexities of the education process;
• identify and reflect on potential connections and discontinuities between each of the aspects of subject knowledge and their application in educational policies and contexts;
• have the ability to collaborate and plan as part of a team, to carry out roles allocated by the team and take the lead where appropriate, and to fulfil agreed responsibilities; and
• interpret and present relevant numerical information.

Modules

• Creativity, Culture & Learning in 21st Century
• Early Childhood Learning in Context
• Education, Race and Ethnicity
• Society and Sustainable Lifestyles
• Engaged Sociology
• Developmental and Social Psychology

Year Three

You will:

• explore and understand the complexity of the interaction between learning and local and global contexts, and the extent to which participants (including learners and teachers) can influence the learning process;
• accommodate new principles and understandings, select a range of relevant primary and secondary sources, including theoretical and research-based evidence, to extend their knowledge and understanding;
• be able to articulate their own approaches to learning and organise an effective work pattern including working to deadlines;
• work with others, as a result of the development of interpersonal skills, to demonstrate the capacity to plan, to share goals, and work as a member of a team.

Modules

• Inclusive Practice: Difference & Diversity
• Research Methods
• Global Health and International Education
• Community Education & the Organic Individual
• Poverty & Social Exclusion
• Social Psychology and Social Justice OR Developmental Psychology

Year Four

You will:

• explore and understand the societal and organisational structures and purposes of educational systems, and the possible implications for learners and the learning process;
• use a range of evidence to formulate appropriate and justified ways forward and potential changes in practice; and
• improve your own learning and performance, including the development of study and research skills, information retrieval, and a capacity to plan and manage learning, and to reflect on your own learning.

Modules

• Dissertation
• Peer Relations in Childhood & Adolescence
• Planning Places for Outdoor Learning
• Inequality, Poverty and Social Policy in Comparative Perspective
• Community-based Education (Includes a self-organised 4 week placement)

NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2023) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2024. Please check back here for any updates.

This degree will equip you with a variety of skills to prepare you to enter a range of education related professional careers, eg in museums, community or arts education, international educational aid projects, policy work, PGCE in Counselling, PGDE in Primary Education, further educational study or research.

Please note that this degree course does not lead to a teaching qualification and graduates are not eligible for GTCS registration.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard - BBCC, Minimum: BCCC

A Level: CCD

Irish Leaving Certificate: H3 H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 26 points

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 5.5.

Required subjects: We can also accept National 5 Application of Maths or Lifeskills at the same grade. English required and Maths preferred at Nat 5/GSCE. 

Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.

Mature/Access: We welcome applications from mature students with relevant qualifications or experience. Visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page for more information. 

Direct Entry:

Year Two

• We expect to have a very small number of places available for second year entry into this course. Requirements are HNC in Childhood Practice (120 credits) with B in the graded unit - visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page for more information. 

Other requirements

A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.

Other costs

• There may be costs associated with your placement depending on where you chose to complete this.
• The cost of the PVG check is £18 or £59 (depending on the level of clearance required) and is the responsibility of the student. Please note that this cost is subject to change.

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2024/25 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).

QMU

Find out more about the course by viewing the BA/BA (Hons) Education Studies course presentation