Education Studies - BA (Hons) 


What Makes This Course So Special?

Education doesn’t just happen in schools, and this course gives you the opportunity to explore the diversity and range of educational experiences that children and young people are faced with. There is the option of studying a joint honours programme with a humanities subject, so you can gain specific subject knowledge too.

Course Intro

Education is not exclusive to the classroom and Children and Young People are exposed to a diverse range of educational experiences which impact on their lives. Education is a lifelong process and is central to government policy.

On the course you are provided with the perfect opportunity to study education through modules suited to your own needs and interests. You will study aspects of education policies, issues, debates and practices in both the national and international context.

In addition, a placement in an educational setting of your choice is a key feature of this course. With an emphasis on developing transferable skills, the pathway equips you with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to work in a range of careers.

What you study

Year 1
Common modules form the basis of opportunity to engage in a number of subject areas. Additionally, further modules will be studied that reflect more closely your selected pathway. You will be able to link the theory of education with practical application in regular placements in an educational setting of your choice.

Modules include:
• Child Development
• Record Keeping and Observation
• Achieving Inclusion and Effective Engagement
• ICT and Academic Skills
• Understanding Learning Difficulties and Disability
• Placement

Year 2
You will continue to explore current issues in education and will learn to understand its impact for developing a fairer society. If you are taking the Joint Honours pathway, you will select a further three modules from your chosen subject.

Modules include:
• Child Abuse, Context and Recognition
• Working Collaboratively for Children
• Children and Young People in Exceptional Circumstances
• Placement

Year 3
You will be in a position to have a mature and informed understanding of ethics and the philosophy of education. You will continue to examine contemporary issues in the UK as well as consider education in global terms. You will have the opportunity to select a topic of personal interest for in-depth research.

Modules include:
• Independent Study – A negotiated research project
• Children’s and Adolescents’ Mental Health
• Supporting Literacy and Numeracy
• Placement

A programme specification for this course is available.

Where Next?

The Education Studies Pathway will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and experience to complement a range of future careers. Studying this pathway allows you to keep your future career options open. Studied with elements of a National Curriculum subject, the Education Studies pathway provides an excellent foundation for entry into postgraduate teacher training courses. Other career opportunities include the civil service, educational research or publishing, the media, marketing and advertising and the charity and leisure industries.


Interview Required

Yes, with a written task forming part of the interview process. 

Assessment

Assessment is through a range of approaches, ranging from giving presentations to writing traditional 5,000 word assignments.


Student Soundbite

“It is possible to select the pathway that is most suitable for you so that you can focus your study on the specific area that interests you most. This has given me a sound basis for a future career in the Education sector and beyond.”


Experiences Gained
Student Successes
Teaching Team
Course Costs

Placement modules are at the heart of the BA (Hons)  Education, Education Studies, Early Years or Inclusive Education degree programme with students undertaking one each year.  They are a great way to explore different workplace environments and see first-hand the types of careers open to you.  When you come to making job applications you will have valuable practical skills to add to your CV alongside your academic achievments. The Placement Supervisor Kris Sobol will support you in securing a relevant placement and is open to your placement suggestions.  Our current students have secured placements in local nursery and primary schools, Duffryn Forest School,  Integrated Children’s Centres in Cardiff and Cwmbran; with the children's charity Barnados, the children's/young persons ward at the Royal Gwent Hospital; the fire-service, police school's liaison team and local SureStart initiatives.   If students wish to undertake a Welsh medium placement during their studies this is possible and we have links with a number of Welsh medium primary schools and nurseries and are currently developing other Welsh medium placements.
 
BA (Hons) Education student Megan worked alongside Fire Fighters for one day a week as part of her year one placement to help deliver the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service ‘Dragon Programme’.  A Placement Log containing evidence of observation, evaluation and reflection completed by Megan will demonstrate to her tutors the wide range of skills utilised and developed on placement.  Megan says, “The Fire Service have been really welcoming and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Dragon Programme.   It’s helped me to understand and make connections between academic theories and ‘real world’ practices and highlighted to me how much I enjoyed working with young people.” 

Year 2 students on either the BA (Hons) Early Years or BA (Hons) Education will study A 'Learning in the Outdoor Environment' module.  The focus will be on a critical exploration of the use of the outdoor environment as a learning resource and an analysis of the role of play.  Guest speakers and visits to outdoor environments including the University's own Forest School will enhance the learning experience for participants.  The Welsh Assembly Government in the ‘Foundation Phase 3-7 years’, states, ‘the use of the outdoor environment is regarded as an important element for effective early years education’ and goes on to highlight the importance of ‘enabling children to learn about, to enjoy and care for their environment and begin to understand issues such as conservation and sustainability so central to their long term futures’.


Students from beginners to those more advanced studying on the BA (Hons) Education, Education Studies, Early Years or Inclusive Education get the opportunity to develop their fluency with the Welsh language. Content is based very much on what a learner, especially a child might need to know and closely linked to Welsh in the National Curriculum.  Students are assessed at national levels as part of the Welsh Colleges Scheme and awarded University certificates.  The ability to understand and speak some Welsh is a huge bonus and the level of one's employability is raised significantly.   

Jane Williams (Academic Leader for programme)
Sally Scott-Roberts
David Norcliffe
Lynne Jones
Jane Newby
Jill Lawton
Kris Sobol (Placement Supervisor)

Mandatory Items Costs
Registrations / memberships / awards / CRB checks £44.00 (Enhanced CRB check)

 


Key Facts
Year of Entry

September 2013

(also available for September 2012 entry)

Course Code

X301

Duration

 3 years. Approx 17 hours per week plus 1 day on placement - the day will vary according to the year of the course.

Entry Requirements

• 260 UCAS points, with 180 from 2 A levels (or equivalent based on UCAS tariff)

• C grade at GCSE English and Maths.

• CRB check required 

• International students who do not meet the entry requirements for this course can study the International foundation year in Business, Law and Social Studies at Wales International Study Centre and progress on to this course.

Campus

Caerleon

Full-time

Yes

Part-time

No

Home/EU Fees

Fee Information


Find out more
All Enquiries 
University Information Centre
University of Wales, Newport
Caerleon Campus
Lodge Road
Caerleon
Newport
South Wales
NP18 3QT

Tel: (01633) 432432
Fax: (01633) 432046

Email:uic@newport.ac.uk 

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