Education and Youth Studies, BA (Hons)

This programme not only examines education in the context of classroom practice, current policy and a range of real life settings but also in its historical, sociological, cultural, political and philosophical contexts. Through a focus on young people, it explores the many influences which affect their learning, development, health and wellbeing and draws on expertise from a wide range of relevant disciplines including education, philosophy, politics, health, sociology, psychology, anthropology, criminology and social care. This programme is a rigorous degree and an excellent preparation if you wish to undertake a PGCE. It also develops a holistic understanding of the knowledge and skills needed for multidisciplinary team working in a range of communities and work settings. You engage with a range of theoretical perspectives from ancient Greece to the present. These perspectives are examined in such ways as to enable you to think deeply not only about developments in educational theory, but also about the changes in ideas concerned with family life; appropriate ways of caring for others; expectations of educational provision; expectations of wider provision for young people and their families; and ideas about who we are and how we should relate to others in the world. Research, enquiry and the development of your critical thinking skills are central to this programme. The course is ideal if you are interested in exploring the purpose, value, misuse and complexities of education and learning; deepening your knowledge of young people; have career aspirations to teach or to work with children and/or young people; or are interested in areas explored in the programme but are as yet undecided upon a specific career pathway. Opportunities for voluntary work and working alongside children and young people in real life settings enable you to link theory and policy with practice which will inform career choices and support employability. The breadth and flexibility of this degree enable you to select your module choices around your own developing specialist areas of interest.