Education, BA (Hons)

Our BA Education degree offers a multidisciplinary exploration of formal and informal education, drawing from sociology, psychology, philosophy, history, and politics. This programme keeps career options flexible by examining diverse educational practices, challenging traditional approaches, and debating key issues such as social justice, inclusion, alternative education, and mental health. You will study concepts like learning in the digital age, global education, and the influence of cognition and development on learning. Highlights include a placement module for applying theories in real-world settings, enhancing your CV, and the option to study abroad at our Malaysia campus for an international perspective on cultural and educational differences.The degree structure begins in the first year with core strands like contemporary debates in education, education and society, international education, and learning and teaching, alongside opportunities to take up to 20 credits from outside disciplines such as languages or sociology. In the second year, core modules continue with an assessed work placement supported by mentors and tutors, culminating in a reflective portfolio. The final year focuses on advanced core modules and a dissertation on a chosen topic, allowing specialisation, with up to 10 credits available from external areas. This progression builds academic, career-focused skills throughout.

In your first year you will begin to study a number of strands that run throughout the degree, such as contemporary debates in education, education and society, international education, and learning and teaching. You will also develop academic, career-focused and study skills, through individual meetings with personal tutors, group sessions and assessed work. In order to develop a broad perspective on education, you have the opportunity to take up to 20 credits from outside of the school from languages study, Nottingham Open Online Courses (NOOC) or appropriate modules from sociology, politics or psychology. In year two, as well as the core modules, you can also undertake an assessed work placement in an educational context. You will complete a reflective portfolio using a Placement Module Guidance Booklet. While on placement you will be fully supported by a mentor and your personal tutor. In year three, you will develop your learning through core modules, and complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice that explores one of the central strands of the course. This gives you the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of interest and to demonstrate your in-depth knowledge and understanding. You can also take up to 10 credits from outside of the school; from language study, Nottingham Open Online Courses (NOOCs) or modules from sociology, politics or psychology.