Education

Our education courses rank in the UK top 5 overall in their subject field (The Guardian University Guide, 2026).

Do you believe in the power and potential of education to improve people’s lives? But do you feel that there are key issues within the education system that need changing? If you answered yes to these questions, then this could be the degree for you. Committed to education, critical of its structures: this describes not only our approach to education studies, but also many of our students.

On this exciting and broad degree, you will study education – in national and international contexts – in relation to political history, sociology, philosophy, psychology and issues of media representation. There is a strong focus on employability and practical experience, with opportunities for professional training, gaining additional certificates and qualifications, trips, and work placements over the duration of your course.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Mock classrooms with specialist technology so you can watch and assess your lesson.

• Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of the long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning opportunities.

• Specialist sensory centre to support your understanding of how teachers teach and children learn, within early years and SEND contexts.

• Multimedia space for webinars and podcasting.

Career-powered links

As one of the largest providers of teacher education in the eastern region, we have well-established partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated organisations, including lead training partnership agreements for closer collaborations. We also benefit from regular, on-going collaboration with the local education authorities for Bedford and Central Bedfordshire. This network puts us ahead when it comes to national priorities, issues and developments in educational practice.

Our lead training partners have regular, on-going involvement with our students including contributing to placement, course delivery, and on-campus visits, talks and masterclasses.

We also work closely with Martin Bacon Academy, a special education school in Northstowe; Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust (BILTT); and Trauma-Informed Schools UK, who offer training in creating settings where people feel safe, understood and are able to thrive.

Your student experience

Flexible unit choices allow you to specialise in a particular area that may align with your future career intentions.

Work with an academic team with expertise across sociology, history, philosophy of education and critical pedagogy.

Many of our staff also have "previous lives" in frontline professions, including youth work and education, and bring real-world perspectives to teaching sessions.

Take up opportunities for professional training and development as well as work placements.

We enrich your learning experience through our links with regional borough councils; academic and postgraduate networks; local museums; professional associations; charities; examination boards; curriculum agencies and learned societies.

Benefit from the support of your own personal tutor, a unit and course coordinator, and the additional support of our experienced library staff, all of whom will help you throughout your student journey and with balancing study with work and personal commitments.

Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well.

Course modules

Year 1
Constructions of childhood – Examine definitions of childhood and how attitudes towards children have changed over time. Key concepts in education – Explore a range of concepts and theories that have shaped the study and understanding of education. Early child psychology – An introduction to the psychological and social development of young children. Education and inclusion – Consider issues of inclusion from a range of social, political and educational perspectives. Psychology of adolescence – Understand a range of social and psychological issues affecting adolescents. Safeguarding and child protection – Explore the development of safeguarding practices; includes safeguarding training leading to certification.

Year 2
Children and young people in the digital age – Consider how social media and digital technologies are shaping children’s and young people's lives; includes a placement experience and training leading to certification. Global perspectives on education – Examine the socio-political and culturally specific nature of education internationally. Introduction to educational philosophy – Think philosophically about a range of educational matters and give reasons for your views. Research methods – An introduction to a wide variety of approaches to and methods of research.

Optional units*
Developing teaching practice – The practices and processes of teaching. Deschooling – A radical approach to education where you take control of your learning. Families and communities – How our understanding of the words ‘family’ and ‘community’ has changed over time. Creative writing – Of interest to anyone considering primary and/or English teaching – or is an aspiring writer. Education and social justice – Explore social justice in relation to education as well as to global social, economic and political change.

Year 3
Philosophy of education – Philosophical approaches to education studies including ethics, theory of knowledge, democracy and citizenship. Dissertation in education – An extended, independent but tutor-supported research project. Philosophy in action: contemporary Issues in education – Bring philosophy to life by putting philosophical concepts into real-world situations.

Optional units*
Children and young people’s wellbeing – Understand social and emotional issues in education, and how to support children and young people with their wellbeing. Media representations of disability – Delve deeper into how disability is represented in literature, on screen and on stage. Challenging the ‘challenging behaviour’ paradigm – What causes challenging behaviour and how we can address it. Independent careers project – Develop an independent project which reflects your career plans; may include work-placement hours. Children's and young adult fiction – Survey a range of children’s and young adult fiction; useful if you are considering a career in teaching. Education and social justice (level 6) – Understand the influences that shape the curriculum, particularly within lifelong learning.

*Please note we may not be able to offer all options every year.

Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate at the point of publication on the UCAS website. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our website.