Education and Social Policy - BA (Hons)

This unique course allows you to study both education and social policy as a single honours degree. You'll be equipped with the knowledge, skills and understanding to take on the challenges of promoting social justice in education and welfare. As a graduate from this course, you could pursue a career within youth and community, or continue your studies to qualify as a teacher.

We live in a diverse society with people from a variety of backgrounds. Whilst diversity is a good thing, it can also highlight the persistent inequalities experienced by different sections of society. During this course you’ll examine the current considerations of social and education policies, the issues affecting both the policies and the people affected by them, and, most critically, understand what’s needed in order to drive positive social change.

You’ll examine the societal issues of class, gender, race, sexuality, age and disability, with emphasis on the inclusion and special needs agenda that dominates education and social policy. Areas of study are specialised, and you can expect to learn about educational needs, multilingualism, gender, racism, religion and housing.

This course is designed to help you become a confident and effective communicator with strong analytical and theoretical skills. You’ll develop the capacity to appreciate the increasing diversity of cultural, social and religious backgrounds at play within the UK’s education and welfare system. There are opportunities for you to develop mentoring and coaching skills, as well having the chance to undertake a work placement, enhancing your understanding of social justice and boosting your career prospects in related fields.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed in a range of ways to help you build a portfolio of transferrable skills. Types of assessment include seen examinations, essays, reflections, evaluations, reports, reviews, case studies, presentations, blended learning exercises and a final dissertation. You’ll be given feedback at key stages of each module to help you progress. Written commentary is provided as well as oral feedback, which is given in groups and one-to-one sessions.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• A minimum of grades BBC in three A levels (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
• English language GSCE at grade C/grade 4 or above

Applicants with relevant professional qualifications or extensive professional experience will also be considered on a case by case basis. The course welcomes applicants who through experience and/or personal qualities, expressed through interview or personal statement, demonstrate that they will be able to undertake the programme with a strong likelihood of success and thus, be able to meet the requirements for employment in a professional role.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

After the course

An Education and Social Policy degree equips you with the skills, knowledge and understanding to take on a rewarding careers such as youth and community work, mentoring, coaching and local authority administration and development. Typical roles for a graduate might be as a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) or within a pupil referral units (PRUs). Some graduates may wish to pursue teaching as a career and endeavour to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Support from our staff and careful selection of modules can facilitate moving in this direction.