Core modules
In year one you will study eight compulsory modules (see below). In year two you will study compulsory modules in Research Methods and Professional Identity and Skills: Work Based Placement. You will then choose modules that will begin to form your pathway. You will choose at least one module from: Analysing and Interpreting Education Policy, Arts Based Learning in Education, Globalisation and Education, and Contemporary Issues in Special Needs, Disability and Inclusion. A range of optional modules will also be available to complete your year two programme.
In year three you will study two core modules including dissertation, plus modules from within the Department or up to two education-focused modules from other Departments.
Year One
Theories of Learning
This module introduces you to various psychological theories outlining how human beings learn. The module covers leading child development theorists' perspectives on learning in the early years (such as Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky) as well as exploring the work of theorists who explore learning from the perspective of older children, young people and adults. By the end of the module you'll have acquired the tools for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of contrasting learning theories. This module also aims to give you an insight into the relationship between social values, culture and theories of learning.
Read more about the Theories of Learning moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Sociologies of Education
This module introduces key concepts, theories and research in the sociology of education. Drawing on a range of sociological ideas, the module explores the relationship between educational and social inequalities and discusses important theoretical concepts and debates. We will consider social class, gender, race, and disability, and use our ‘sociological imagination’ to explore and critique contemporary uses of sociological ideas in educational research.
Read more about the Sociologies of Education module, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2025/26 year of study).
Understanding Childhood and Child Development
Here we look at the interdisciplinary study of childhood, children, and child development. Using concepts from education, psychology, sociology, social care and health, you will develop a holistic understanding of children and young people’s experiences. Examining the various ways that childhood is understood and conceptualised, you will gain insight into the developmental trajectories of children and factors that influence their development.
Read more about the Understanding Childhood and Child Development module, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2025/26 entry).
International Education
This module will explore models, concepts and themes relating to education at a global level. There are two overarching trends which structure the sessions. First, processes of globalisation provide a theoretical frame within which students will examine themes and trends that cut across geographical and national boundaries. Among other things, globalisation and children’s rights to education, the Millennium Development Goals, the investment in early years education, and the marketisation of schooling and higher education are discussed. Second, the module will focus on the way that education is promoted within different international contexts, thereby exploring how factors such as ideology, culture and economics impact on education. There will be more of a case study approach here with students focusing on country specific education systems, such as Scandinavia, America or Italy. In each case the focus may be on the schooling system, the provision of early years education or the shifting role of higher education.
Read more about the International Education moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Creativity, Culture and Learning
The idea of creativity is at the heart of contemporary educational policy and practice. You could say that developing creativity is a 21st-century educational ideal. Yet claims about creativity often avoid questions of what creativity is and why creative activities might be valuable. Through this module, you’ll understand:
- The key debates and concepts relating to creativity
- How different forms of creative thinking, behaviour and learning can be encouraged
- The role of ideology in shaping personal, local, national and global attitudes to creative forms of thinking, learning and behaving
- How to debate and evaluate what a creative learning experience is
Read more about the Creativity, Culture and Learning moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Introduction to the Philosophy of Education
What is philosophy? What does a philosophical question about education look like? What role has philosophical thought historically played in shaping education? What role and status should philosophy have in education today? Can teaching and learning be effective if there is not a philosophical element to it? This module considers these questions, in the context of exploring the relationship between the discipline of philosophy and the field of education. The module will provide an introductory starting point for wrestling with these questions through close reading of extracts of key philosophical texts and through practically exploring the teaching of philosophy with primary aged pupils in a local school setting.
Read more about the Introduction to the Philosophy of Education moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Historical Perspectives on Education
This module explores education using historical analysis techniques and frameworks. We consider the role of government, political ideologies, and social and economic issues as they have impacted education. The skills developed in this module will allow you to comment on and critique past events with the aim of mapping continuity and change in education.
Read more about the Historical Perspectives on Education moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Academic Identity and Skills
This reflective and practical module allows you to explore your preferred ways of learning. Through considering the academic standards, assessment methods and teaching and learning practices used in Higher Education this module will support you to develop an informed, personalised and critical approach to academic scholarship that will scaffold your success at university.
Read more about the Academic Identity and Skills moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Year Two
Globalisation and Education
This module will explore models, concepts and themes relating to the globalisation of education. In particular, there are two general trends outlined and critically examined with reference to globalisation.
The first overarching theme is the idea of globalisation as a process of global standardisation. The module will pick up on a number of debates and issues relating to how attempts have been made to homogenise education globally, or at least move towards more universal provision at a number of different levels. This will involve analyses of the political and economic dimensions of globalisation as it affects education including the involvement of supra-national organisations, NGOs, and nation states.
The second dominant theme is the emphasis on global diversity. Attempts at globalising education come up against political and cultural obstacles. The second half of the module will focus more on trends and cases of education and schooling that highlight the diversity of provision, and practices within education. The sessions will refer to global and national policy contexts where relevant, as well as pick up on novel attempts to provide education and schooling in contexts of political and economic adversity.
Read more about the Globalisation and Education moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Analysing and Interpreting Education Policy
This module explores the nature of education policy. We investigate how policy is developed in a political and global context, and discern links between national and world events which may influence policy choices. The module will consider different policy analysis models and techniques and apply these to examples from education systems around the world.
Read more about the Analysing and Interpreting Education Policy module, including the methods of teaching and assessment.
Contemporary Issues in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion
In this module you’ll critically explore the concept of inclusion, learning about its history, theoretical underpinning, and the dilemmas and tensions associated with it in practice. The module will broaden your knowledge of SEN/D policy, the roles and responsibilities of practitioners and teachers in early identification and intervention, and explore common areas of need (e.g. learning disabilities, autism, speech, language and communication needs).
Read more about the Contemporary Issues in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusion module, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Arts-Based Learning in Education
This module develops students' skills in designing arts-based educational learning experiences based on critical evaluation of theory and practice. It will appeal to students interested in careers in teaching or those interested in exploring the potential for an arts-based pedagogy to develop positive learning environments in a variety of fields. The module builds on the department’s relationships with professional arts-practitioners and local schools, in order to make real-world connections.
Read more about the Arts-Based Learning in Education module, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).
Professional Identity and Skills: Work-Based Placement
This module gives you the opportunity to hone your professional skills and career aspirations through an education-focused work-based placement. In taught sessions you’ll explore the professional characteristics of organisations who work with children, young people and their families in an educational capacity. This will include investigating the staffing and leadership structures of example organisations, their policies, their modes of work, professional roles and conduct. In addition, the role of reflective practice in professional development will be examined from both theoretical and practical angles. You’ll be given support with organising your placement, which can be in a location of your choice (however, approval must be gained from the module leader who must see a clear connection between the work of your chosen organisation and the concept of ‘education’) or may be based with one of the Department of Education Studies’ key partners. Education Studies placement partners consist of organisations that deliver both formal and informal education in a variety of contexts (i.e. schools, hospitals, charities, children’s centres, sports organisations, youth theatres, community organisations).
Read more about the Professional Identity and Skills: Work-Based Placement moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Research Methods
This module will equip you with the theoretical knowledge and the practical research design skills required for research in the education field. By running your own small-scale research project, you will also gain confidence in your ability to devise and conduct your dissertation project in your final year. In this module you’ll study:
- How to form research questions and hypotheses
- How to match research questions to appropriate research methodologies
- When to employ quantitative or qualitative research, and what their strengths and limitations in education are
- How to design data collection materials such as questionnaires and interview schedules
- Ethical and legal issues involved with research in an education field
Read more about the Research Methods moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Year Three
Shaping Educational Change
This module explores and problematises the idea of ‘change’ in education. It identifies and critiques contemporary issues in education and will enable you to propose and develop ways of addressing those. You will consider the future needs of (and from) education and be encouraged to make evidence-informed arguments for change in an area you select for detailed analysis.
Read more about the Shaping Educational Change module, including the methods of teaching and assessment.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Introduction to Leadership and Management in Education
- Philosophy in Education
- Children’s Literature in Childhood
- Education and Social Justice
- Education for Sustainability
- Masculinities, Fatherhood and Young Children
- Representations of Teaching and Learning in the Media
- The Developing Child in the School Context
