BA (Hons) Education Studies

Program Overview

Do you want to help shape and change young lives through education? Do you have a passion for teaching? Do you want to change communities from the inside? Our course is innovative and exciting, incorporating the very latest developments in the field of education studies.

Whether you want to become a primary, secondary, or further education teacher to young adults and mature learners teacher or influence and shape education policy, it will provide you with a fantastic foundation. You'll learn from practising teachers and take an active role in important current debates on children's education. At UEL, we're embedded in a diverse and inclusive community in east London.

This course reflects that, and you'll be taught by an academic team that is representative of the wide multicultural variety of our student intake. Our course is strongly rooted in the real world, with plenty of opportunities to experience education in action in our community. This will ease your transition into a teaching environment when you leave us.

Program Outline

This course investigates contemporary education in a lively and stimulating way, from primary and secondary through to higher and adult education.

It's very much a sociology-based course, looking at sociological factors affecting the family, social policy for young people, education and the national curriculum. We look at the subject from an international perspective to reflect the diversity of our student intake.

You'll explore how individuals develop and learn, how the education system has evolved and how it continues to evolve. You'll learn to critique the purpose of educational interventions and to evaluate arguments on educational issues.

We'll give you an understanding of how political ideologies influence education policy. You'll examine faith schools, special needs education and multiculturalism along with the sociology, psychology and philosophy of education.

You'll learn how to evaluate research, enriching your studies and giving you the know-how and confidence to embark on your own research.

Our team of lecturers and tutors pride themselves on being in tune with their students' needs and adjust their teaching accordingly.

Coursework will include presentations, video reports, research-based assignments and learning logs. The approximate percentages for this course are:

You'll attend lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. You'll also carry out e-learning, self-learning and guided reading – with plenty of individual support along the way.

Students will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with fellow students, academic staff and external stakeholders, on an applied project involving the application of key leadership and management skills. In doing so students will apply and develop cognitive, cultural and social intelligences learnt elsewhere in their studies, which will enhance their graduate employability.

We want you to develop as an independent thinker, which is why our lectures are always interactive and include open debates.

In your final year, you'll carry out an independent research project on a relevant topic, taking your education off campus and into real-life situations where the emphasis is on practical learning. There's also an optional volunteering module.

If you fancy studying abroad, you can do so through an educational exchange or apply for a short study trip overseas via our popular Going Global scheme.

You'll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real life experience and research.

When not attending timetabled lectures you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, Microsoft Teams and Moodle.

We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7.

With a number of practising teachers on our academic staff, we understand there are times when you might need some extra tutor support. We won't let you down in this regard. Our team of lecturers and tutors pride themselves on being in tune with their students' needs and adjust their teaching accordingly.

Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students. If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such

as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in

sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential.

You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need.

We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and a dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.

UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs). Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor-led sessions, individual learning, practical activities.

Our aim is to prepare our students for a broad range of careers so that they can make amazing contributions to their communities. When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

Approximate class sizes:

30 in seminars

200 in lectures

We assess all modules through different forms of coursework. Assessment methods include group works, exams and individual work including essays.

In addition to writing traditional essays, you'll be required to write reports, policy reviews and give presentations. This is to ensure you gain skills that are relevant to and can be transferred to the workplace. In your final year, you'll write a research dissertation.

All grades count towards your module mark.

More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides.

Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.