Education Studies with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

Program Overview

Emphasizing social justice, globalization, technology, and employability, the program prepares students for careers in education and related fields. Students complete a practical placement and engage in research, gaining valuable hands-on experience and developing critical thinking skills.

Program Outline

Our BA (Hons) Education Studies course covers theoretical and practical aspects of education across the lifespan (from birth to lifelong learning), and from a variety of perspectives. Throughout the course, you will critically reflect on the aims, values, principles, and policies of the UK education system, as well as educational systems around the world. The course draws from a range of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, law, history, philosophy, and politics to investigate issues and debates that are relevant to education, and to explore the ways in which these academic fields have contributed to the development of education in the UK and beyond. This multi-disciplinary approach to education is designed to enhance the breadth and depth of your knowledge and equip you to take a variety of different career paths. The BA (Hons) Education Studies with a Foundation Year course has been specifically designed to support your transition to degree-level study in Education. Your learning journey through your foundation year will provide a secure platform on which you can build throughout your academic career in higher education. As part of the foundation year, you will explore and develop number of essential academic, interpersonal and professional skills that will help you succeed in your future degree level studies. On successful completion of your foundation year, you are guaranteed to progress on to the first year of the BA (Hons) Education Studies degree. At the heart of the course are four key themes:

• A commitment to recognising education as a positive power for social justice, equity, and inclusion.
• The role of education in an increasingly globalised world.
• The role of technology in education and considering how changes and developments in technology drive changes to education.
• A commitment to developing your employability through building a strong portfolio of academic and professional skills.
Through the course you will use your developing knowledge to build and justify your own educational value system and evaluate how education is influenced by international practices. You will also have experiences of working with educational technology and consider how educational practices can adapt to a changing world. You will also complete a practical placement during the second year of your degree, giving you first-hand experience of working in the world of education and developing important employability skills as you prepare for your next steps beyond graduation. We are committed to creating a supportive and challenging learning environment in which you can thrive and develop. The course is designed to promote independence so that you become a more confident, autonomous, creative lifelong learner as you go through the course.

Outline:

Foundation Year

• Academic Skills for Success (20 credits)
• Interpersonal Skills and Professional Behaviours (20 credits)
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (20 credits)
• Negotiated Studies (20 credits)
• Birmingham’s Children and Society (20 credits)
• Policy and Politics (20 credits)

Year One

• Exploring Learning and Development (20 credits)
• Introduction to Education Studies (20 credits)
• Preparing to Study in Higher Education (20 credits)
• Introduction to the Philosophy of Education (20 credits)
• Education, Equity and Social Justice (20 credits)
• Exploring Creativity in Education (20 credits)
• Learning in the Early Years (20 credits)
• Post-Compulsory Learning (20 credits)

Year Two

• Professional Practice, Placement and Safeguarding 1 (20 credits)
• Professional Practice, Placement and Safeguarding 2 (20 credits)
• Education Policy and Reform (20 credits)
• Inclusion, Diversity and SEND (20 credits)
• Preparing to Research (20 credits)
• Alternative Education (20 credits)
• Investigating and Developing Curriculum (20 credits)
• Mental Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)

Year Three

• Individual Research Project (40 credits)
• Digital Education (20 credits)
• Navigating Transitions (20 credits)
• Exploring Contemporary Issues in Education (20 credits)
• Global and Comparative Education (20 credits)
• Principles of Assessment (20 credits)
• Anti-Racist Practice (20 credits)

Teaching:

Each module uses a variety of teaching and learning approaches including:

• workshops
• conferences
• lectures
• seminars
• guest speakers
• visits to schools and other educational settings
Education Studies will provide an excellent preparation for you to work with learners of all ages within the education sector. The commercial and industrial worlds are also very interested in people with knowledge about education and training. You'll have the knowledge and skills to work in educational and training advisory roles in a range of organisations included businesses, local authorities, non-government organisations, charities, museums, art galleries and libraries.

Other:

Birmingham City University has an impressive portfolio of partner organisations and the key event in the second year of study will be your placement. Students will be supported in identifying a placement with one of our partners that is developmental, stimulating and that offers preparation for future career paths. We’ve spent £41million expanding the education facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice. Alongside classrooms and lecture theatres, we also have a range of specialist teaching and learning spaces for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education. As well as subject-specific rooms, our facilities include the Primary Innovation Lab, which houses £24,000 worth of LEGO. The lab responds to research that children and young people learn best from practical experience. Our Social Work students have access to a home environment room and mock hospital wards which offer an opportunity to gain experience of working with service users in different situations. We will begin the year with an in-depth induction process. We will consider what it means to study at undergraduate and time will also be dedicated to team building activities. During the first year you will be introduced to key education philosophy and theorists. Additionally, we will consider a range of perspectives on local and international education. Throughout the year students will take part in seminars, lectures and workshops with the dedicated team and selected guest speakers. Students will be offered theoretical and practice led perspectives to analyse and evaluate. Students will be asked to reflect on their own educational experiences and values. Students will also consider inclusivity, diversity and cultures of schooling. Students will now have a confident and in depth understanding of a range of educational issues. They will now begin to plan their final year research project. Students will be support to understand research methodologies and the importance of ethical considerations. Throughout the year students will take part in seminars, lectures and workshops with the dedicated team and selected guest speakers. Students will be offered theoretical and practice led perspectives to analyse and evaluate. Students will be asked to reflect on their own educational experiences and values. The key aspect of year three is the individual and independent research project. Using their planning and preparation from year two, students will undertake research into an area of their choice. We will also explore how identities are shaped and re-shaped through educational experiences and structures. Additionally we will consider how education is changing and key innovations that impact on educational organisations. Throughout the year students will take part in seminars, lectures and workshops with the dedicated team and selected guest speakers. Students will be offered theoretical and practice led perspectives to analyse and evaluate. Students will be asked to reflect on their own educational experiences and values. The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners.

• Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
• Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
• Research and statistical software
• Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs. In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus. Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community. The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
• Some of the good reasons why you should study here
• How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
• Information relevant to applicants from your country
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies. BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students. Award: BA (Hons) Starting: Sep 2024 Mode Duration Fees Full Time 1 year foundation followed by 3 year degree £9,250 in 2024/25

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students. Award: BA (Hons) Starting: Sep 2024 Mode Duration Fees Full Time 1 year foundation followed by 3 year degree £16,085 in 2024/25