Education, BA (Hons)

Course summary

This degree will develop your knowledge of the education system in the UK and beyond. You'll enter into key debates about policy issues with a focus on social justice and equality, and get to understand education from a multidisciplinary perspective.Why study BA Education at Goldsmiths

• You'll gain an understanding of the role of education in diverse societies and how the education system continues to be shaped by social, political and economic factors. You'll use this knowledge to address a broad range of themes and ideas including gender in the early years, alternatives to schooling, mental health and wellbeing, and institutional racism.

• You’ll be encouraged to think about the ways people are excluded from education and society, and explore possible reasons for, and alternatives to, this. We're interested in the tensions that can arise in a system that advocates education for all but mediates against the full participation of some groups.

• We are proud of the strong creativity strand that permeates the programme and reflects our expertise in visual and performing arts. If you are interested in employment in the creative industries, with a focus on education, this is the degree for you.

• You’ll have the opportunity to gain work experience at a range of organisations. Previous students have worked on literacy with Bengali women, developed educational materials at a city farm, and put together an art exhibition at a pupil referral unit for excluded secondary school students.

• As well as taking on a work placement, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad in China or Luxembourg which will give you the chance to explore how education, culture and society can be interpreted in a new context.

• We offer support for your personal and career development through our personal progress programme. You’ll have access to a professional network made up of departmental and university staff running tutorials and workshops to help you reflect on your personal, academic and employment goals.

• If you already practice in an education or community setting, we’ll work with you so you can use your experience to inform your studies. Past students have interviewed young people they have been supporting, and have created resources for children with special educational needs from countries where they have connections, such as Ghana and Slovakia.

Your pathway through the degree is individually designed, offering you the opportunity to create combinations that match your interests and/or intended career route. You take part in seminars, lectures, tutorials, studio practice, performances and personal research. Year 1 (credit level 4) In the first year, you'll take the following compulsory modules: Culture and Identity 30 credits The Curriculum: Historical and Philosophical Perspectives 30 credits Understanding Learning 30 credits Identity, Agency & Environment 1 15 credits Identity, Agency & Environment 2 15 credits Year 2 (credit level 5) In your second year, you'll complete 60 credits of compulsory modules, as well as 60 credits of optional modules. Optional modules will be chosen from a list produced annually by the Department of Educational Studies. Compulsory modules include The Goldsmiths Elective. This allows you to take an approved interdisciplinary module from another department across the University. The second year compulsory modules are: Introduction to Social and Cultural Research 30 credits The Goldsmiths Elective 15 credits Goldsmiths’ Social Change Module 15 credits Year 3 (credit level 6) In your final year, you'll complete a compulsory Dissertation. You'll also take 90 credits of optional modules from a list produced annually by the Department of Educational Studies. Dissertation BA Education 30 credits Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.