University of Brighton
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Education and English Literature
BA(Hons)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 3 years

    Part-time: 6 years

    UCAS code XQ33 (campus code U)

    About the course

    This course brings together the study of education and English literature in its broadest sense, and examines the relationship between the two.

    Education is essential to the development of an informed society, widening opportunities and giving people choices on how to see the world. The education strand explores the philosophy and practice of education and develops your ability to effectively communicate complex issues to a wider audience, so that they will learn from you.

    English literature looks at how meanings emerge and are transformed through different cultural and social contexts and values. You will consider how readers construct meanings from texts and how to develop critical awareness.

    This course, based at our Hastings campus, will give you a solid foundation to build a career in education, the public sector, and the cultural industries.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary

    A-levels:
    BBC. Must include English. Applicants with only two full A-levels or a double award will be considered on an individual basis.

    ND/C (Level 3):
    DMM.

    International Baccalaureate:
    30 points.

    QAA-approved access course:
    acceptable.

    GCSE (minimum grade C):
    at least three subjects including English language and mathematics.

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

  • Course content

    Areas of study

    In the education strand, you will consider the ideas and ideologies behind education, compare different education systems and look at various education frameworks.

    With the English Literature strand, you will examine a range of important literary works as well as considering the nature of creative writing. You will gain a critical understanding of a wide range of literary texts and consider the development of literature in relation to issues as class, gender, and sexuality.

    The course is delivered through seminars and lectures. You'll be assessed through both coursework and exams. In the second year, you will have the opportunity of carrying out a placement. Your tutor will help you find an appropriate work placement matching an area of personal interest.

    Syllabus

    Year 1
    An Introduction to Systems and Structures in Education
    Including All Learners
    Narrative and Narratives
    Powerful Texts
    Approaches to Learning
    Subject Approaches and Practices

    Year 2
    Developing Inclusive Education
    Comparative Education
    The Nineteenth Century in Literature
    The Child in Literature
    Research Project
    Community Participation and Development

    Year 3
    Conceptions of Difference
    Education, Policy and Government
    New English Writings and Voices
    Women's Writing and Feminist Theory
    Dissertation

    You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:

    Programme Specification

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    BA(Hons) Education and English Literature  [U2EA001]
    UK/EU (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    International (Full Time)10,500 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help Hastings

    Our Hastings campus is in the city centre, just three minutes south of the station and about the same distance from the seafront and the shopping district. It is a small and friendly campus of about 700 students.

    Living in Hastings

    The historic town of Hastings has been described as the south coast’s best kept secret. The town combines natural beauty with an exciting cultural centre and close knit student community.

    Social scene

    The up-and-coming social scene has seen a rise in pubs and bars opening in the town centre. From the quaint taverns in the old town to the slick town centre bars, there is something to suit every taste.

    Arts

    Hastings has a long established thriving art community with a large number of small galleries and art groups. The Electric Palace cinema in the Old Town is a small, independent cinema that also runs the annual ’Shot by the Sea’ film festival.

    Sports

    Alongside the university-run sports clubs, Hastings offers local sports clubs you can join, including football, rugby and netball. Or make the most of the location and take part in rowing, sailing and wind-surfing.

  • Student views

    Education and English Literature

    Dan Pothecary

    Course: Education & English Literature

    Year: Just finishing 1st year

    From: the North West

    I'm Dan, 20, and a student at the University of Brighton in Hastings.  I’m just about to finish my first year. This course appealed to me because I have always wanted to be a teacher and I absolutely love reading.

    Applying

    I initially found out about the course through the Times Good University Guide.  I applied through UCAS for the same or similar courses at four other universities but The University of Brighton was my first choice so I was delighted when I received my offer.

    My home town is 7 hours away in the North West so I never actually came to an open day but I did watch the video tour online and when I discovered the course was taught in Hastings I did a lot of internet research about the area.

    The course

    The course is taught through a mixture of lectures and seminars where open discussion is actively encouraged, which is great for me as I get a lot out of group discussions and working with other people.

    In the second year there is the opportunity to do a work placement as part of my course but as I’m really keen to get as much experience as possible I’ve been volunteering through the Active Student programme and I am involved in “The boys project” at a local school which aims to develop the skills and confidence of boys with a low reading age.

    Student life

    I was initially a bit disappointed when I found out that I wasn’t going to be based in Brighton, but as soon as I arrived I knew that I would be more suited to the smaller, community type feel that I believe is so great about this campus.

    I’m a student ambassador for the campus and a member of the Students Union. I’m  involved with the university radio station, BURST, as one half of the Adam and Dan show and a part of the literature society.  I also play an active role in the new campus development team, it’s run by the students for the students to give them the tools to develop their ideas on activities. With the SU's logistic and financial support we aim to empower members of the different 5 campuses, to organize activities and events according to their particular needs.

    I lived in Halls for my first year which was a fantastic way of getting to know people that weren’t on my course and in the second year I’m going to live with 6 of the friends that I made there in a flat-share in Hastings.  

    Plans for the future

    I started my degree sure that I wanted to be a secondary school English teacher but since starting my volunteering I think I’d like to teach at primary school level.

    Someone asked me recently what role this course will play in my future and the only answer I could think of was: Everything! It’s confirmed for me that teaching is definitely what I want to do as a career and even after I’ve finished my course I have no plans to leave the area at all, I love the South coast!

    The advice I would give to someone thinking of applying for this course at The University of Brighton is: Do it! Take all the opportunities that come your way, do work experience to strengthen your confidence and CV and get involved in everything that interests you.

    Ask Dan

    I work as an online ambassador with  applying and current students and you can contact me with any query, however big or small and if I can’t help then I’ll point you in the direction of someone who can!

    I’m online frequently throughout the week with campus news, and I run regular Q&A sessions on a variety of subjects.

    If you want to contact me you can do it in 2 different ways : -

    1) On facebook - Dan Pothecary UniBrighton send me a message or write on my wall.

    2) Tweet me: Hastings_Dan

    I will get back to you within 24 hours if not sooner!

  • Career opportunities

    Your career opportunities include roles in education, research, the cultural industries, community-related industries and the public sector. Graduates are also eligible to apply for a one-year PGCE course.

    Visit the careers service website.

Application process
Book your open day place
Find out more

08456 020607
Email hastingsinfo@brighton.ac.uk

Visit the school that delivers this course