Education BA(Hons)

Course structure

We have a balanced approach to teaching and learning, employing a combination of theory and practical skills, which you will experience through seminars, workshops, placements, research, and independent study.

Learning and teaching approaches

The course will provide you with a challenging, inclusive and creative environment including:

• personal and group tutorial support
• group work, discussion and debate
• independent and enquiry based learning
• seminars, workshops and lectures.

The School of Education organises an annual conference, which celebrates all students as researchers. Find out more about the Education BA Conference.

You’ll use facilities such as our curriculum centre which holds over 30,000 specialist education resources.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Areas of study 

Topics will include:

• learning and development
• education policy
• equality and inclusion
• research
• comparative and international education.

Key questions addressed:

• What is an educated person?
• How does learning occur?
• Can education lead to a fairer society?
• How are education systems structured?
• What can we learn from education systems in other countries?
• What constitutes good research?

Year 1

In year 1 you will explore psychological and sociological theories of human development, and examine the role of the family and wider institutions in education and development.

You will have an opportunity to see how your knowledge can be applied to understand real-world situations on your first placement of the course, which we will help to arrange for you.

Modules

• How Children and Young People Learn

  This module explores major theoretical traditions and more contemporary ideas relating to learning and development, including the degree to which children and young people’s diverse cultural and social contexts have been considered. To understand the theory-practice relationship students will critically evaluate learning theories by demonstrating awareness of relevant academic debates, and apply chosen perspectives to examples of educational practice across diverse educational settings (early childhood, primary, secondary, and youth and community). 

• Old Hats and New Thinking: Debates on philosophies of education

  Critical engagement with philosophies of education is an essential and exciting component in the study of our subject: what does it mean to be human, specifically, a learner, an educated person, and a teacher? What is true and good and, therefore, what should we teach? What do we mean by 'truth'? How should a learner be taught in order to come close to that truth? This module explores  such questions introducing key aspects of philosophical thinking, reading and writing.

• Knowing and Learning in Higher Education

  This module will help you to make the most of your studies in higher education. You'll improve your self-confidence as a learner and develop your capacity to meet the academic requirements and expectations of the programme.

• Understanding Social and Educational Inequalities

  Drawing on sociological frameworks and perspectives this module explores the complex interactions between education and context with a particular focus on power, inequality and social justice. The module considers the intersections between class, race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality and religion in understanding learner and teacher identity and differential outcomes.

• Politics and Change in Education

  Education policy is driven by ideological and pragmatic considerations. It shapes the structure of schooling enabling and restricting the practice of teachers and educators. Drawing on UK context, this module explores policy formation and implementation enabling you to understand the way education systems develop and how they change.

• Placement Learning: Towards Enquiry-Based Learning

  This module is an opportunity to engage in a small-scale enquiry during a two-week, off-campus placement in an education setting. You will choose the focus of the enquiry, based on your emerging educational and academic interests. Enquiry-based learning is a key theoretical framework for adult independent learning. The module will also introduce concepts of employability and enterprise.

Year 2

In year 2 you will look at theories of how culture, aid and globalisation shape today's education in our society and those of others around the world. You will develop your understanding of issues relating to inclusion by critiquing social, cultural and political contexts related to education.

You will be equipped with the tools to make your own research discoveries and critically evaluate key theories, literature and debate.

A key feature of this year is the eight-week placement module in a relevant area of interest.

Modules

• Professional Ethics, Wellbeing and Reflective Practice
• Research Methods in Education
• Comparative Education
• Equality, Inclusion and Social Justice
• Placement Learning: Reflecting and Researching

Final year

In your final year you will continue to learn the key knowledge, initiatives, policies and ideas around education; you will reflect on your own educational philosophy, including life-history and self-study research, and start planning for your career or further study.

You will also undertake a period of individual research and complete a dissertation, specific to your own interests and career aspirations.

Modules

• Inequality and Education: Critical Approaches
• Reframing Identity
• Learning in Practice
• International Education for Global Challenges
• Dissertation

Placement learning

You will undertake two placements during your studies:

• two weeks in year 1
• eight weeks in year 2.

The course team will help you to identify a suitable placement, make the arrangements and support you during your experience. We encourage you to take a placement in the field of education you are passionate about. Previous placement destinations include:

• schools
• local authorities
• community groups
• museums
• business.

If you show strong academic performance you may also be considered for an international placement in your second year.

Meet the team

Tim Coxon - course leader

Tim’s career in education started in London in the 1990s, teaching initially in the Primary age phase. His particular interest in education and development led him to volunteer as an education development worker in Gujrat, Pakistan supporting a local charity providing non-formal basic education village schools targeting female literacy.

After returning to the UK, Tim became an education adviser for Brighton and Hove’s Education Action Zone developing a number of literacy and technology projects with Primary, Secondary and Special Schools. His interest in international education has resulted in work with schools in the UK, Senegal and Tanzania with a focus on environment and sustainability.

Tim joined the University of Brighton in 2010, working as a senior lecturer specialist knowledge in international education and primary / secondary transition. He became a principal lecturer in 2013 as well as becoming the course leader for BA (Hons) Education.

Tim is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Institute, holds an MA in Education and is a Certified Climate Change Teacher.

Other members of the team:

• Marlon Moncrieffe 
• Chris Sweeney 
• Jodi Roffey-Barentsen
• Helena Widdowson 
• Ben Gould

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton