| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
This course poses challenging questions inspiring you to critically examine essential issues relating to education.
You'll be encouraged to explore what is meant by education and how it has changed over time, including its central place in the foundation of modern societies.
You'll examine what form education should take, who should make those decisions, and who will benefit.
You'll investigate how the media influences the portrayal of education and schooling, and whether the teacher still has a role to play in a society where Google knows more.
The diverse research interests and expertise of our staff offer you a broad range of topics and perspectives. Small group teaching provides opportunities for lively interaction and debate.
This course covers the study of education across the globe from sociological, philosophical, historical, political, and psychological perspectives. It investigates the role of international development in supporting education in developing countries.
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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Program Outline
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability. Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May. To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
You'll be introduced to the contested nature of education and the different conceptual frameworks we'll be using for explaining education – global, social, cultural, historical, political, philosophical, sociological, pedagogical and technological.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Education, Children and Society | 20 |
| International Development | 20 |
| The History of Education | 20 |
| Social Policy and Learning | 20 |
| Adventures in Digital Learning | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| British and Comparative Education | 20 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
You'll develop a more specialised and sustained engagement with areas of study such as learning theory, the broader discourses of education in society and educational research methods.
You'll begin the first of the two major optional career development modules in either student tutoring, student volunteering through the Students’ Union, or learning from work.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Psychological perspectives on teaching and learning | 20 |
| Introduction to Research in Education | 20 |
| Globalisation and Development | 20 |
| Social Constructions of Childhood | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Child Development and Speech and Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Career Development for second year students | 20 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
The emphasis is on you obtaining a deep and critical awareness of specific aspects of education both in its national and international contexts.
You'll become more deeply aware of the importance of attention to detail, argument, criticality, ambiguity and complexity through modules relating to social justice, inclusive education and international development.
You'll also complete a research dissertation.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Dissertation | 40 |
| Philosophy of Education | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Social Justice and Education | 20 |
| Responding to Special Educational Needs | 20 |
| Child Development | 20 |
| Contemporary Issues in Development | 20 |
| Career Development for final year students | 20 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Information about these graphs
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Research-informed teaching and practice by leading academics and professional practitioners are central to the programme.
You'll learn through a combination of online lectures and in-person seminars. You also undertake a considerable amount of independent study. Our award-winning Library Service has a huge array of resources available to access online.
You'll draw on your existing knowledge of formal and informal educational settings as you explore issues relating to teaching and learning. You'll also consider how these would relate to other educational settings including classrooms and museums.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
Case studies
Coursework
Essays
Examinations – practical or online
Group work
Presentations
Projects
Reflective report/journal
Reports
Seminar tasks/exercises
Skills and experience
Research skills
You'll join a thriving research community and have the chance to conduct your own original research through a dissertation.
Business skills
You'll have the opportunity to select two career development modules to enhance your employability. You'll also undertake a research project which enables you to showcase your knowledge and expertise.
You'll develop key skills including communication, teamwork, personal enterprise, problem-solving, planning and organising, which are directly transferable to a wide range of graduate employment contexts.
These assist our graduates to find work in areas such as primary teaching, community and social work and education management.
Chat with an Education student
The opportunities offered at Newcastle University have helped me to become a well-rounded individual.
Matilda 'Tilly' Atkinson, Education
