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BA (Hons) Education

Your education starts here

Year of entry: 2025/26

UCAS code

X300

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

BBB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2025 (semester dates)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£25,800 per year

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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.

Work placements

Gain classroom experience alongside your course with our York Students in Schools programme

World Top 100 Department

We're ranked =60th in the World for Education (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2024)

Course content

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:

  • Exploring approaches to teaching and learning
  • Considering the meaning of education in different contexts and from different perspectives.
  • Developing educational research literacy
  • Understanding the relationship between education and social justice
  • Taking a critical decolonial attitude to knowledge

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.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Year 1

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.

Core modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2

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.

Core modules

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.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 3

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.

Core modules

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.

Elective modules

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.

Learning by design

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.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Draw upon and apply a broad, critical understanding of educational theory and research to policy discussions and debates at local, national and international levels.
  • Demonstrate awareness of a range of worldviews and critically analyse dominant discourses in education, in recognition of different ways of knowing.
  • Inform educational decision making by identifying information and statistical data sources, evaluating such data in terms of its reliability, validity and appropriateness and presenting the information and data in accessible formats.
  • Support and/or challenge educational practice and policy by making recommendations based on the effective analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Develop well-structured, evidenced arguments and present such arguments in written, oral and digital formats to support educational initiatives and projects.
  • Contribute effectively to team projects and interdisciplinary groups by communicating confidently, professionally and persuasively with others.
  • Design and carry out a small-scale research project on a specific issue within the field of education.
  • Manage specific educational projects by defining the project focus, producing project plans, carrying out project tasks and evaluating project results.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £25,800

Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

UK (home) or international fees?

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.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

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.

Additional costs

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.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

Living costs

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.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

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.

Teaching format

We use a variety of teaching methods, including:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Group activities
  • Supervisions
  • Guided reading
  • Practical online learning

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.

Timetabled activities

In your first year, you can expect:

Lectures7 hours per week
Seminars4-5 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.

Teaching location

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.

About our campus

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.

Assessment and feedback

You'll be assessed in a number of different ways, depending on the modules you choose. Forms of assessment include:

  • Essays
  • Open examinations
  • Presentations
  • Reviews
  • Posters
  • Policy briefs

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.

Animated Lecturer presenting to students
Student focused in discussion

Careers and skills

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.

Career opportunities

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. A number take alternative routes into education, for example Teach First.

Transferable skills

  • Communication
  • Analysis of data and ideas
  • Computer literacy
  • Networking
  • Time management
  • Project management

Entry requirements

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
Cambridge Pre-U M2, M2, M2
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

Additional requirements

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.

Alternative offers

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 offers BBC
More about contextual offers.
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.

English language

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
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 Communicator 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.

If you haven't met our 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.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

We warmly welcome applications from students taking BTEC, GNVQ or Access courses. Mature entry applicants are considered on merit, although recent experience of study will be an advantage.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

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Department of Education

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