Bachelor of Education - University of Birmingham · Birmingham, UK

Year one at Edgbaston introduces education studies through contemporary issues in education, equality and diversity, introduction to developmental psychology, philosophy of education, schooling as a social and cultural history, and young people and social change. You explore how children and young people learn within families, schools, and wider society. Teaching builds critical reading, reflective thinking, and an awareness of equity in educational settings. By the end of the year you should be ready for education policy, placement practice, and research methods in year two.

• Contemporary Issues in Education — Core · 20 credits
• Equality and Diversity: Children, Families and Society — Core · 20 credits
• Introduction to Developmental Psychology — Core · 20 credits
• Philosophy of Education — Core · 20 credits
• Schooling: A Social and Cultural History — Core · 20 credits
• Young People and Social Change — Core · 20 credits

Year two develops applied education studies through education policy and social justice, a vocational placement, and researching childhood and education, alongside specialist optional modules that complete your credit load. You connect classroom and community experience with policy debates and research design. Placement learning strengthens professional communication, reflection, and judgement in real educational settings. You leave the year prepared for an independent dissertation and advanced specialist options in year three.

• Education, Policy and Social Justice — Core · 20 credits
• Placement — Core · 20 credits
• Researching Childhood and Education — Core · 20 credits

Year three centres on the Dissertation, where you design and complete an independent research project drawing on earlier education theory, psychology, policy, and placement insights, alongside specialist optional modules. You refine a research question, gather and analyse evidence, and present findings to academic standards. The year consolidates critical judgement, scholarly writing, and professionally aware thinking valued by graduate employers. Graduates are prepared for teacher, primary school teacher, secondary school teacher, early years teacher, and special education teacher pathways across schools and education services.

• Dissertation — Core · 40 credits