Explore the complex relationships between language, education and literature
Year of entry: 2020
X302
Y50
3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)
£9,250 per year (2020/21)
£17,890 per year (2020/21)
Join us on campus or online and find out what studying at York is really like.
Find out moreThis course explores education, specifically in relation to language and literature.
You'll learn about key educational issues, including how and why English is taught. You'll explore current debates about and cutting-edge methods for teaching English language and literature in classrooms, theatres, clinics and prisons.
You'll also study representations of education in literature and analyse their impact on perceptions of education. You'll consider how fictional depictions of education can shape social awareness, policy and practice.
Alongside rigorous academic study, you'll gain valuable skills and experience with a range of 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 a range of postgraduate initial teacher training courses.
Our pioneering programme offers you the opportunity to get work experience in a variety of educational settings
In your first year you'll study four core modules which introduce some of the main theories and concepts which underpin the study of education. You'll learn key skills for analysing language, and explore English literature from both academic and creative perspectives.
In later years you'll have a choice of optional modules, which allow you to tailor your course to your personal interests. You could choose to focus on theories of language and learning, examine educational policy, study children's literature or develop your creative writing.
A key focus of your final year will be your Dissertation. You'll identify an aspect of English and education to investigate in detail. You'll design and carry out a research project, writing up your findings in a 9,000-word extended essay.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
In Year 1 you'll study core modules which introduce key concepts, theories and skills. You'll learn how to approach education from an academic perspective, and consider how your personal experiences inform your views. You'll also undertake a dedicated year-long module introducing you to language and literature in education.
In the Autumn term 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.
You'll study four core modules:
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'll study two core modules, developing your skills of research and critical analysis, as well as your understanding of the history of education. You'll also choose two optional modules focusing on language and literature.
You'll study two core modules:
Choose two of the following modules:
The main focus of your final year will be your Dissertation - an extended essay based on your own research. You'll also take one core module which highlights some of our latest research, and choose three optional modules from a wide range of topics. Alternative options give you chance to follow your own interests on a placement study or an independent investigation into an educational topic of your choice.
Your Dissertation is a chance for you to engage with a specific topic in detail. You'll use the research skills you've developed to identify a research question and design and carry out an empirical study. You'll analyse your data and write up your findings in a 9,000-word extended essay, to explain and contextualise your work. You'll have frequent meetings with a dissertation supervisor, who'll have expertise in your area of research. You'll also benefit from a series of workshops and other activities designed to support and enhance your research skills. (40 credits)
New Directions in Educational Research (20 credits)
You'll choose three of the following modules. Some combinations of modules are not permitted. You can contact our admissions tutor for more information.
Individual study module (20 credits)
If you want to study a relevant academic topic which isn't covered by our teaching you can propose an individual study module. If accepted, you'll pursue independent academic enquiry leading to a 5,000-word essay.
Placement study (20 credits)
The Placement Study is an opportunity to spend time investigating issues involved in the delivery of an educational service. If your proposed placement is accepted you'll spend around twelve days over six weeks pursuing research in the field, culminating in a 5,000-word report. Normally placements are based in York (though you may apply to go elsewhere in the UK or abroad). You'll be expected to meet any additional costs arising from your placement, although it may be possible to link some placements with sponsorship or exchange opportunities.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
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.
The staff within the Department of Education at York are second to none! They are all experienced in their field of study and have had very successful careers within the Education sector before lecturing at the university. This means the lectures are taught by people who have a great insight into Education.Nicole, BA Education
| UK/EU | International |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £17,890 |
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.
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK, EU or international student.
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.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2020/21 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.
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
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.
As a guide, students on this course typically spend their time as follows:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and seminars | 228 hours | 216 hours | 96 hours |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The rest of your time on the course will be spent on independent study. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours will vary from person to person. In UK higher education the expectation is that full-time students will spend 1,200 hours a year learning.
You will be based in the Department of Education on Campus West. Most of your teaching will take place in Derwent College and Alcuin College, with additional contact hours elsewhere 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 campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
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.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 17% | 23% | 17% |
| Coursework | 77% | 69% | 83% |
| Practical exams | 6% | 8% | 0% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
 (600x400).jpg "Sally Hancock, a member of staff in the Department of Education, delivers a lecture to undergraduate students")
-(600x400).jpg "A student from the Department of Education in a seminar")
My supervisor has been great in dealing with any questions I've had regarding the course or my future plans. I've found her easy to talk to, extremely well organised and efficient in everything she does.Lucy, BA English in Education
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, while placements taken as part of 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. A number take alternative routes into education, for example Teach First.
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels | BBB We prefer applicants to have A level English |
| 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 |
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 GCSE or equivalent passes in Mathematics and English Language and, for primary teaching, a science, are required.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 51 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 162 each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
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 IELTS 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.
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.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
Explore campus and city life and hear what our current students have to say about living here.
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