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  • Architecture
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  • Economics
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  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
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  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Museum Studies

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  • Pharmacology
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  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
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  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
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  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

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  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
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  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
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  • Classics and Ancient History
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  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

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  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

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  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

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  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

BA Education Studies

  • UCAS code
    X300
  • A level offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

Our BA Education Studies course provides a distinctive and valuable insight into a range of educational issues. 

Explore current debates in contemporary education within a variety of contexts:

  • Sociology: society and social justice, inclusion and inequalities, sustainability, and global perspectives in education
  • Creativity: the Arts in different environments and educational contexts
  • Psychology: theories of learning, and child and adolescent development.

The course offers opportunities to link theory to practice through educational visits, guest speakers and placements. This enables you to develop your skills and apply your knowledge in different contexts – an asset that is highly valued by employers.

Why choose BA Education Studies at the University of Reading?

  • Our Institute of Education is ranked 9th in the UK for Education in the Guardian University Guide, 2023.
  • In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (100% of respondents studying on BA Education Studies).
  • Assessment is 100% coursework-based and you can tailor modules to your interests.
  • The course is taught across three days per week, allowing you to balance your studies with other responsibilities.

You’ll be taught by passionate, experienced researchers and professional guest speakers, and will learn in a vibrant, inclusive community. 

Education’s creative, psychological and sociological contexts

You'll develop your understanding of psychology, learning theories, inclusion, sociology, policy, creative learning and educational practice, gaining the knowledge and skills needed to work collaboratively and confidently across a range of educational settings and contexts.

Taught by leading academics and researchers at the Institute of Education, you'll examine:

  • educational debates, such as pedagogy, creativity in education, global education, sustainability and learning theories
  • topical issues, including the impact of inclusive practice, the reality of social justice, and multicultural environments
  • education in its creative, economic, philosophical, cultural, political and sociological contexts.

Experience in the education sector

This degree blends theory with practice, offering a wide range of placement and volunteering opportunities. This enables you to make a positive impact and develop as an active, thoughtful citizen.

Some of this valuable, real-life practice is acquired through a placement in your second year. Depending on your career aspirations, you could carry out your placement in settings including a school, museum or gallery. A dedicated academic tutor, as well as the programme team, will be available to support you and tailor your placement in line with your interests.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required, depending on the type of placement setting you choose.

What our BA Education Studies students say

  • Ayishia Jones believes that early intervention is vital to later achievement and is a strong advocate for social justice.
  • Weitong Liu is an international student from China, who recommends taking full advantage of academic writing support.

Overview

Our BA Education Studies course provides a distinctive and valuable insight into a range of educational issues. 

Explore current debates in contemporary education within a variety of contexts:

  • Sociology: society and social justice, inclusion and inequalities, sustainability, and global perspectives in education
  • Creativity: the Arts in different environments and educational contexts
  • Psychology: theories of learning, and child and adolescent development.

The course offers opportunities to link theory to practice through educational visits, guest speakers and placements. This enables you to develop your skills and apply your knowledge in different contexts – an asset that is highly valued by employers.

Why choose BA Education Studies at the University of Reading?

  • Our Institute of Education is ranked 9th in the UK for Education in the Guardian University Guide, 2023.
  • In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (100% of respondents studying on BA Education Studies).
  • Assessment is 100% coursework-based and you can tailor modules to your interests.
  • The course is taught across three days per week, allowing you to balance your studies with other responsibilities.

You’ll be taught by passionate, experienced researchers and professional guest speakers, and will learn in a vibrant, inclusive community. 

Learning

Education’s creative, psychological and sociological contexts

You'll develop your understanding of psychology, learning theories, inclusion, sociology, policy, creative learning and educational practice, gaining the knowledge and skills needed to work collaboratively and confidently across a range of educational settings and contexts.

Taught by leading academics and researchers at the Institute of Education, you'll examine:

  • educational debates, such as pedagogy, creativity in education, global education, sustainability and learning theories
  • topical issues, including the impact of inclusive practice, the reality of social justice, and multicultural environments
  • education in its creative, economic, philosophical, cultural, political and sociological contexts.

Experience in the education sector

This degree blends theory with practice, offering a wide range of placement and volunteering opportunities. This enables you to make a positive impact and develop as an active, thoughtful citizen.

Some of this valuable, real-life practice is acquired through a placement in your second year. Depending on your career aspirations, you could carry out your placement in settings including a school, museum or gallery. A dedicated academic tutor, as well as the programme team, will be available to support you and tailor your placement in line with your interests.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required, depending on the type of placement setting you choose.

What our BA Education Studies students say

  • Ayishia Jones believes that early intervention is vital to later achievement and is a strong advocate for social justice.
  • Weitong Liu is an international student from China, who recommends taking full advantage of academic writing support.

Entry requirements A Level BBB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical Offer

BBB

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

GCSE

Grade C (4) or equivalent in Maths and English

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

Other Information

We will consider candidates with equivalent qualifications. Interviews are not required for admission.

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Compulsory modules

Creative Learning Through the Arts

Explore the role of arts and creativity within education and society. You’ll consider the role of the teacher in arts education and creative learning and will partake in art, drama and creative writing projects. 

Discovering Education: An Exploration of Key Educational Issues

Discover the philosophical, history and political underpinnings of education by exploring theory and practice. By participating in visits to educational settings, you’ll be challenged to consider the concept of education. 

Education for Inclusion

Gain awareness of contexts and perspectives on learners with additional needs and those from diverse groups. You'll develop key skills in inclusive practice and its application to educational contexts.

Psychology and Theories of Learning

Discover educational theories and see how each is applied in the classroom, across age groups. You’ll consider various approaches including early childhood learning, learning through play and learner identity.

Sociology, Education and Social Justice

Consider social organisation and structures that impact individual opportunities and outcomes in education. You'll explore social class, gender, ethnicity, intersectionality and contemporary issues in social justice.

Academic Skills and Language for Education

Analyse the features of written assignments commonly used in education, such as their structure, argument, voice and the use of sources and quotations. This will help to develop and refine your own academic writing skills.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Critiquing Education: Where Theory Meets Practice

Link theory to practice by applying aspects of educational research to visit days to different educational settings. You’ll develop a project plan and present your reflections on your own professional development.

Contextualising Creative Learning through the Arts

Learn creatively through the arts and critique the ethics involved. You’ll analyse creativity within specific contexts and examine the theory, knowledge and skills involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of projects.

Constructions of Childhood and Youth

Research psychology, sociology and policy on childhood and youth. By challenging assumptions about childhood and youth, you’ll develop a critical understanding of policy and practice.

Optional modules

Health, Education and Wellbeing: Psychological and Sociological Perspectives

Develop your critical and reflective thinking by examining links between health, wellbeing and education. You’ll evaluate educational interventions, considering how creativity, the arts and heritage can support health and wellbeing.

Learning Gender: exploring the links between gender, education and society

Examine links between gender, education and society that impact individual opportunities and outcomes. Topics include constructions of femininity, feminist standpoint theory and performing gender.

Language, Multilingualism and Identity

Discover the processes involved in learning first and additional languages. Increase your awareness of multilingualism within mainstream education and the relationship between learning English and wider educational outcomes.

Further optional modules

  • Global Perspectives on Education and Sustainability
  • Theatre for Social Change
  • University-wide Modules

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Contemporary Education and Policy

Strengthen your understanding of the UK’s post-war public policy, which includes education. Using critical thinking, you’ll explore the political, historical, societal and philosophical debates around education in society.

Changing Education: An Educational Project for Social Justice

You’ll investigate specific areas of education, thereby locating your own professional interests and skills. The department will provide you with support for a project, which will be critiqued with formative feedback.

Dissertation in Educational Studies

Draw upon your own experiences and interests to select an area for further investigation within educational studies. To construct your dissertation, you’ll collect data, review literature and give a presentation on your research.

Optional modules

Leadership in Education

This is for you if you intend to advance to leadership roles within education. You’ll examine contemporary issues and components of leadership including teamwork, emotional intelligence and resilience from differing perspectives.

Head and Heart: Education for Meaning and Community

Discover an alternative vision of education for social sustainability. Participate in interactive sessions, in which you’ll present your own beliefs and values to broaden your perspective on education.

Further optional modules

  • Deafness and Education
  • Development of Transferable Skills Through a School Placement
  • The Arts and Society
  • Understanding the Theory and Practice of Mentoring

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*

New international students: To be confirmed

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our BA Education Studies course can act as a stepping-stone to a wide range of careers. It can help you decide whether you want to teach and offers excellent preparation for a postgraduate teaching qualification.

It can also provide a route into one of many educational careers, including as a youth worker or an education officer in heritage or the Arts. You might work in:

  • charities
  • museums
  • galleries
  • theatres
  • education policy.

If you are interested in working with adults, you may pursue a career in:

  • adult training
  • mentoring/coaching
  • disability support
  • psychology.

New mental health mentoring roles are emerging in a range of educational settings, in addition to other educational roles working in prisons, publishing and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Overall, 98% of our students are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20 First Degree, Postgraduate (Taught) and Postgraduate (Research) responders from the Institute of Education).

Ayishia discusses BA Education Studies.

This degree allows me to explore social justice and inequalities, children’s development of learning, special educational needs education and inclusion, and policies of education in the UK and global context. The opportunity of placements in various settings will equip me with transferable skills for the real world.

Zeeshaan Ahmed
BA Education Studies

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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