Program Overview
This one-year top-up course elevates candidates with an existing Foundation degree in education to a full Honours degree. Focused on early years, primary, and special education for ages 3-11, the program emphasizes practical skills, curriculum knowledge, and research capabilities. With a variety of assessment methods including case studies and independent research projects, students are equipped for diverse roles in the education sector and beyond.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This top-up course is ideally suited to candidates who already have a Foundation degree in Education, Early Years, SEND or any other related field. It brings you up to a full Honours degree in just one year, opening up exciting career opportunities. Are you already working or volunteering in an educational setting such as a primary or middle school, an early years setting or a special school, for at least two days per week? It introduces you to the importance of research and enquiry within education and gives you the opportunity to carry out primary research in your own education setting. Throughout the course, you are encouraged to consider how educational theory is applied within your own workplace.
- Develop your practical skills based on a sound knowledge and understanding of educational theory and curriculum content
- Be able to meet the needs of all children within a culturally diverse society
- Build skills that allow you to communicate effectively with learners, parents/carers, colleagues and other professionals
- Learn from tutors with a wealth of experience within education including early years, primary and SEND
- On graduating, you can progress within your own education setting or go on to early years or primary teacher training
Assessment:
In addition, it aims to enable you to demonstrate that you have fulfilled the objectives of each unit as well as those needed for working within education as a profession. The assessment strategies are designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate the range of knowledge, understanding and skills required by intending teachers and those who wish to work within education. At Level 6 the assessment strategy for the course is less formative in nature and more summative. The first unit studied focuses on Research Methods and will be an introduction to assessment at Level 6 and will act as preparation for the major piece of work that they undertake in the research project. A range of approaches to assessments are utilised throughout the course, to include reflective writing, case study, poster, presentations, literature reviews and a final independent research project. These tools have been chosen to ensure there is a balance of assessment. The research based dissertation will enable students to carry out their own research project, guided throughout by a supervisor and will be the culmination of your work on the degree through the academic year. All assessments are applied to your work or volunteer experience, with the intention of impacting on both your academic and professional development. You are required to demonstrate that the work you submit for assessment is your own and you will be supported in this process by using a range of tools to include:
- Guidance in referencing and citing work correctly using the University Referencing Guidelines.
- The University Virtual Learning Environment, BREO, which includes access to a range of teaching and learning materials and interactive discussion boards where you can post questions and gain feedback on ideas related to your specific assignment.
- During independent study, the support of a research project supervisor to guide you in the research process and provide formative feedback on draft work.
Careers:
Many students who successfully complete this degree course go on to further their career within the education sector, including embarking on initial teacher training courses within the primary or early years sectors.
- Developing Professional Practice (EDC245-3) Compulsory
- Exploring The Curriculum (EDC244-3) Compulsory
- Research Methods In Applied Education (EDC243-3) Compulsory
- Research Project In Applied Education Practice (EDC246-3) Compulsory
- Up to £2,500 scholarship available for UK students.
- Course Leader - James Simpson
- I joined the University of Bedfordshire having taught in secondary education for 5 years, specialising in history and politics.
- Why the School of Education?
- 100% satisfaction with Physical Education (Secondary) NSS 2021
- Professional expertise in all 4 phases of Teacher Education
- Campus Library:
- PCs are provided on each level for students to use offering access to a wide range of applications as well as access to group-work areas and presentation-practice rooms and a dedicated silent study floor.
- Forest School:
- The Forest School provides a resource for the University’s trainee teachers to be trained in outdoor learning and for their classes to experience the long term educational benefits of outdoor play.
- Sports Facilities:
- The purposely designed teaching spaces house a range of seminars, lectures and practical sessions providing an excellent teaching space for primary and secondary education.
- Campus Theatres:
- Set within the Campus Centre is a 260 seat professional theatre on the ground floor with industry-standard lighting, media desk, roll-down screen, full backstage comms system and large dressing rooms with en suite showers. On the first floor there's also a well-equipped 80 seat studio theatre.
- BedsSU - The Hub:
- The Hub is home to BedsSU providing a great space for socialising with friends, catching up on some coursework or taking a well-deserved break.
- The Hub is the place to go to take a break from your studies, play table tennis, socialise and watch live sport on the big screen. By night the venue becomes the place to be, with a variety of student events such as pub quizzes, live music and various themed club nights. Evening food includes delicious freshly made pizzas as well as a range of other beverages and snacks.
UK 2024/25
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £9,250 per year.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2024/25 is £15,500 per year.
