About the course
This degree is aimed at professional support staff working or volunteering in schools and educational settings. It builds on your existing professional skills and competencies, enhancing your professional practice. On successful completion, you can apply for Qualifying to Teach courses at primary and early years levels.
The course offers a range of flexible pathways, designed so you can continue to work while studying. All courses are delivered during the school year and are term time only. Choose from evening part-time study at Putteridge Bury and our Bedford campus; a flexible, part-time blended learning pathway (includes two Saturday study days each term); and a full-time option at Bedford (study one day per week). It is the only course locally offering this flexibility of degree study for working students.
Why choose this course?
- Study full or part time while working in an educational setting and use your work experience towards your course
- Benefit from experienced support in helping you balance work, study and family commitments
- Develop a strong foundation and in-depth understanding of educational provision for children aged between 3 and 11 years, and children in special education working at levels commensurate with this age band
- Learn the skills you need to apply for Qualifying to Teach courses
- You can gain your Honours degree in three or four years although your study can be spread over a longer period
- A highly successful course in terms of student satisfaction (100% overall satisfaction, NSS 2022) and student outcomes (86% of students graduated with a 2:1 or above in 2022)
Apply direct
To apply for this course, please contact admission@beds.ac.uk

Units
- English: Knowledge And Understanding (EDS009-1) Compulsory
- Investigating The Curriculum (EDS010-1) Compulsory
- Personalised Learning (EDS013-1) Compulsory
- Skills For Education Studies (EDS012-1) Compulsory
- English: Theory And Practice (EDS009-2) Compulsory
- Mathematics Education (EDS010-2) Compulsory
- Reflecting On Practice (EDS011-2) Compulsory
- The Learning Environment (EDS012-2) Compulsory
- Mathematical Problem Solving And Reasoning (EDS011-3) Compulsory
- Professional Practice (EDS008-3) Compulsory
- Research Methods (EDS010-3) Compulsory
- Research Project In Applied Education Studies (EDS012-3) Compulsory
The purpose of assessment is to provide formative feedback to you, to monitor your performance and to measure your attainment. In addition, it aims to enable you to demonstrate that you have fulfilled the objectives of each unit as well as those needed for working within education as a profession. The assessment strategies are designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate the range of knowledge, understanding and skills required by intending teachers and those who wish to work within education. Your learning will be assessed throughout the course in both a formative and summative way. A range of approaches to assessments are utilised throughout the course, to include written reports and essays, presentations, in class tests, preparation of lesson sequences and teaching materials, literature reviews and a final independent research project. These tools have been chosen to ensure there is a balance of assessment and are re-visited throughout the course to ensure that you have the opportunity to build and develop the attributes that are assessed in a systematic way. The aim is that by the end of the final year you are empowered to demonstrate the qualities that define a Level 6 qualification. Oral presentations are included as a key element of your assessment and development, and a number of units include the formal assessment of these. The key importance of the development of oral presentational skills to intending teachers and those working within education is recognised by the course team and every opportunity is taken to encourage you to enhance your skills in this area. The feedback given to you is intended to be formative in order to aid development. In addition to this, many units involve small-scale group and individual presentation opportunities within teaching sessions to enable students to develop their skills further. You are required to demonstrate that the work you submit for assessment is your own and you will be supported in this process by using a range of tools to include: - Detailed assignment briefs and marking grids - Engaging teaching sessions to included activities and discussions to support you in understanding assessment requirements - Guidance in referencing and citing work correctly using the University Referencing Guidelines. - The University Virtual Learning Environment, BREO, which includes access to a range of teaching and learning materials and interactive discussion boards where you can post questions and gain feedback on ideas related to your specific assignment. - During independent study, the support of a research project supervisor to guide you in the research process and provide formative feedback on draft work.
Why study in the School of Education and English?
- Broad spectrum of opportunities to study language and linguistics
- 92% satisfaction with English Language and TEFL, NSS 2020
Entry Requirements
- A level 3 qualification such as NVQ Level 3, Cache Diploma or equivalent in child/education related subjects
- A reference in support of your application from the Head teacher or setting manager. Please include their contact details on your application form
- Applicants who do not have a level 3 qualification will be considered based on their experience in schools/educational settings and may be invited to participate in an informal discussion to assess suitability for the course
Gain from a course that provides a clear route into a professional graduate role, through early years teacher status; primary initial teacher training; or leadership and management. Many of our past students have gone on to have successful careers within education, working in a variety of roles including head teacher; SENCO; classroom teacher; and education welfare officer.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra Costs
How to Apply
Application for this undergraduate course is direct to the University of Bedfordshire.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
Application for this undergraduate course is direct to the University of Bedfordshire.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for this undergraduate course is direct to the University of Bedfordshire.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
Application for this undergraduate course is direct to the University of Bedfordshire.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student