X300
Y50
3 years full-time
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Education affects us all, but few people ever question the systems and structures which seem so familiar.
Delve into the disciplines, theories and debates which underpin Education as an international field of study. You'll study key concepts and academic techniques to explore how people teach and learn, and how education interacts with wider society through intercultural approaches and a range of perspectives. You will consider the power structures that legitimise some knowledge over others and you will analyse the hidden curriculum, enabling you to critique education systems as well as consider the ways in which education can empower.
Alongside rigorous academic study, you'll gain valuable skills and experience with opportunities for placements and volunteering. Your studies will inform and guide you, giving you practice applying educational theory to real-world situations.
This course will not qualify you as a teacher. However, it is good preparation for postgraduate study, including teacher training courses and educational research.
Gain classroom experience alongside your course with our York Students in Schools programme
We're ranked 72nd in the World for Education (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2025)
This course will cover the key concepts and debates in Education. In your first year you'll study core modules which introduce important background knowledge and academic approaches. In later years you'll study more option modules, allowing you to focus on subjects which interest you. Education is closely linked with many other fields so you can cover a huge array of topics which could include:
A key focus of your final year will be your Dissertation. You'll identify an aspect of education to investigate in detail. You'll design and carry out a research project, writing up your findings in a 7,000-word extended essay.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
In Year 1, you will study core modules which introduce key concepts, theories and skills. You will learn how to approach education from an academic perspective, and consider how your personal experiences inform your views. Throughout the course you will be supported to develop your academic and professional skills through complementary workshops.
You will work in a group to develop a response to a real-life educational challenge through our innovative STEP 1 project. You will be presented with a challenge from a community partner and you will work as a team to research the issue and put forward solutions. This will prepare you for group work, research and presentation throughout your programme, and develop your employability skills through communication, problem-solving, creativity and employer engagement.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
In Year 2, you will continue to deepen your understanding of issues in education and enhance your expertise in education through innovative workshops. You will also have the opportunity to personalise through a wide range of option modules.
You will also study three option modules. Examples include:
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
There is further opportunity for specialisation in Year 3, with an independent research project and many option modules to choose from. You will also have a chance to engage with cutting edge research within the department through the New Directions in Educational Research module.
You will also study three option modules. Examples include:
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information, please get in touch.
You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,535 | £25,800 |
These fees are for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year. Undergraduate fees for 2026/27 will be confirmed later in the year.
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
You will need to cover the cost of travel to placements. This will vary depending on the location of your placement; the majority are in York.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Just four UK universities are rated Gold for teaching and top ten for research* in the latest national assessment exercises.
* Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
We use a variety of teaching methods, including:
Weekly lectures and seminars are a chance for you to debate and discuss topics with fellow students and your tutors. You will be encouraged to think for yourself, to engage in academic debate and to develop and present your arguments with confidence and skill.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 7 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 4-5 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
You will be based in the Department of Education, which is located in Derwent College on Campus West. You can expect to have contact hours primarily on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
You'll be assessed in a number of different ways, depending on the modules you choose. Forms of assessment include:
You'll receive written feedback on all assessed work, helping you to understand your strengths and identify areas for improvement. You can also discuss your work with your tutors and your personal supervisor to help guide your development.
Alongside developing academic skills you'll have many opportunities to enhance your employability. You can gain classroom experience on our well-established York Students in Schools programme, as placements taken alongside your course are an opportunity to explore alternative careers in education and make connections with local employers.
The vast majority of our students have been involved in a range of volunteering projects, placements and relevant work experience by the time they graduate, with proven skills which are attractive to employers.
Our graduates work in a huge range of industries related to education, including teaching, publishing, museums and libraries, the not-for-profit sector and the civil service
A significant proportion go on to teacher training at prestigious institutions at primary and secondary levels, including York's own PGCE courses. A number take alternative routes into education, for example Teach First.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | BBB |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 21 credits at Distinction and 24 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDM |
| European Baccalaureate | 75% |
| International Baccalaureate | 31 points |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - BBBBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
We don't require any specific GCSEs for entry to this course. However, if you wish to train as a teacher you should be aware that good GCSE or equivalent passes in Mathematics and English Language and, for primary teaching, a science, are required.
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offer | BBC |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| IB English | A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level) |
| Cambridge CEFR | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Other English language qualifications | We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates. |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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