Why choose the School of Education and English
In the NSS 2025, our education courses scored student satisfaction rates of 90% and over for teaching; learning opportunities; assessment and feedback; academic support; and organisation and management.
They are in the UK top 20 for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, 2026).
They rank UK 4th (tied) in their subject field for career prospects (Guardian, 2026).
About the course
Do you believe in the power and potential of education to improve people’s lives? But do you feel that there are key issues within the education system that need changing? If you answered yes to these questions, then this could be the degree for you. Committed to education, critical of its structures: this describes not only our approach to education studies, but also many of our students.
On this exciting and broad degree, you will study education – in national and international contexts – in relation to political history, sociology, philosophy, psychology and issues of media representation. There is a strong focus on employability and practical experience, with opportunities for professional training, gaining additional certificates and qualifications, trips, and work placements over the duration of your course.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Mock classrooms with specialist technology so you can watch and assess your lesson.
- Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of the long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning opportunities.
- Specialist sensory centre to support your understanding of how teachers teach and children learn, within early years and SEND contexts.
- Multi-media space for webinars and podcasting.
Industry links
As one of the largest providers of teacher education in the eastern region, we have well-established partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated organisations, a network that puts us at the forefront of educational developments.
Student experience
- Flexible unit choices allow you to specialise in a particular area that may align with your future career intentions.
- You work with an academic team with expertise across sociology, history, philosophy of education and critical pedagogy.
- Many of our staff also have "previous lives" in frontline professions, including youth work and education, and bring real-world perspectives to teaching sessions.
- You benefit from the support of your own personal tutor, a unit and course coordinator, and the additional support of our experienced library staff, all of whom will help you throughout your student journey and with balancing study with work and personal commitments.
- Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well.
Get in touch
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the Education BA (Hons) degree, please contact the course lead, Dr. Oli Belas at oliver.belas@beds.ac.uk
If you would like to study for the Education BA(Hons) degree but think you do not yet meet the entry requirements, we also offer an Education with Foundation Year BA(Hons). Successful completion of the Foundation Year guarantees progression to the degree. For more information, contact course lead, Dr. Kay Calver at kay.calver@beds.ac.uk or Dr. Oli Belas at oliver.belas@beds.ac.uk
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Course Leader - Dr Oliver Belas
I have been an educator – working in HE, secondary education (as a classroom assistant and teacher), and HE again – since 2005. I joined the University of Bedfordshire’s School of Education and English (SEE), where I teach on the Education and English Literature degrees, in January 2018.
Course Leader - Dr Oliver Belas
I have been an educator – working in HE, secondary education (as a classroom assistant and teacher), and HE again – since 2005. I joined the University of Bedfordshire’s School of Education and English (SEE), where I teach on the Education and English Literature degrees, in January 2018.
Year 1
Constructions of childhood – Examine definitions of childhood and how attitudes towards children have changed over time. Key concepts in education – Explore a range of concepts and theories that have shaped the study and understanding of education. Early child psychology – An introduction to the psychological and social development of young children. Education and inclusion – Consider issues of inclusion from a range of social, political and educational perspectives. Psychology of adolescence – Understand a range of social and psychological issues affecting adolescents. Safeguarding and child protection – Explore the development of safeguarding practices; includes safeguarding training leading to certification.
Year 2
Children and young people in the digital age – Consider how social media and digital technologies are shaping children’s and young people's lives; includes a placement experience and training leading to certification. Global perspectives on education – Examine the socio-political and culturally specific nature of education internationally. Introduction to educational philosophy – Think philosophically about a range of educational matters and give reasons for your views. Research methods – An introduction to a wide variety of approaches to and methods of research.
Optional units*
Developing teaching practice – The practices and processes of teaching. Deschooling – A radical approach to education where you take control of your learning. Families and communities – How our understanding of the words ‘family’ and ‘community’ has changed over time. Creative writing – Of interest to anyone considering primary and/or English teaching – or is an aspiring writer. Education and social justice – Explore social justice in relation to education as well as to global social, economic and political change.
*Please note we may not be able to offer all options every year.
Year 3
Philosophy of education – Philosophical approaches to education studies including ethics, theory of knowledge, democracy and citizenship. Dissertation in education – An extended, independent but tutor-supported research project. Philosophy in action: contemporary Issues in education – Bring philosophy to life by putting philosophical concepts into real-world situations.
Optional units*
Children and young people’s wellbeing – Understand social and emotional issues in education, and how to support children and young people with their wellbeing. Media representations of disability – Delve deeper into how disability is represented in literature, on screen and on stage. Challenging the ‘challenging behaviour’ paradigm – What causes challenging behaviour and how we can address it. Independent careers project – Develop an independent project which reflects your career plans; may include work-placement hours. Children's and young adult fiction – Survey a range of children’s and young adult fiction; useful if you are considering a career in teaching. Education and social justice (level 6) – Understand the influences that shape the curriculum, particularly within lifelong learning.
*Please note we may not be able to offer all options every year.
We do not assess by exam on this course, and we offer lots of opportunities for you to gain assessment support and guidance during your studies to help you excel.
You will experience a range of assignment types through which we assess your learning and support your development. Common assignment types include:
- essays
- case study analysis
- reflective writing
- portfolios
- presentations
- development of resources and activity packs
Careers
Our graduates are inspired to work with children and young people and to make a difference in their communities. You can follow a number of pathways after completing your undergraduate degree in BA (Hons) Education.
You can choose to further your studies through postgraduate degrees, professional qualifications and PhDs in areas such as:
- Education
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Social Work
- Play and art-based therapies
- PGCE and worked-based routes into teaching (primary, secondary, or further education)
There are also a number of Graduate Schemes where you can progress your career, including:
- Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme
- Charity Works Graduate Scheme
- Into University Graduate Education Worker Scheme
You will be able to pursue a career relating to children, young people, and education, with our graduates in successful roles such as:
- Inclusion Officer
- Young Carers Assessor
- Youth Offending Practitioner
- Serious Youth Violence Coordinator
- Safeguarding Advisor
- SEND Progress Coordinator
- Teaching
- Teaching English Abroad (TEFL/TESOL)
- Social work
- Youth Advocacy
You can listen to some of our graduates share their employment stories on the Working with Children and Young People podcast available on all major podcast platforms.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is £9,790 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
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
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