At Worcester, you’ll learn from passionate teachers who believe education should be fair and inclusive. Through research and a mix of theory and practice, you’ll discover how education can shape lives and communities globally. You’ll build the knowledge and confidence to influence change in areas that matter most to you.
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Overview
Education Studies focuses on discovering various educational theory and research, before exploring the impact this has learners in relation to educational inequality. In your first year, you’ll explore how subjects like Sociology, History, and Psychology approach education differently. In your second year, you’ll explore the concept of quality in education, examining diverse and sometimes conflicting perspectives. By your final year, you’ll be ready to instigate change, considering different perspectives, embracing inclusion, and shaping future practice.
Research is a key part of the course. You’ll learn to understand and apply academic research, design ethical projects, and complete your own dissertation. You’ll also explore how learning practices affect real people, from tackling inequality to responding to the climate emergency exploring how education can contribute to a socially just world. Tailor your studies through a range of optional modules, covering areas such as creative approaches to learning, wellbeing in education, safeguarding practices, and critical perspectives like weaponised education.
You’ll get hands-on experience as you visit with educational technology and visit specialist provisions, care farms, Pupil referral Units and placements in prison education. From day one, you’ll be supported to find your voice, explore your interests, and think creatively about how education can be more inclusive, incorporate diverse and underrepresented voices, and be equitable.
By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to take your next step, whether that’s teacher training or making a difference in education in your own way.
Education Studies at Worcester
Course content
Education is more than what happens in schools; it’s about people, communities, and change. Our modules are designed to introduce you to the foundations of current education practice; consider the sustainability of education as we increasingly become a globally connected world and develop leadership skills and your own ethics and values for educational policy and practice.
We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.
Optional modules will run if enough students choose to study them. It is not guaranteed that all modules will be offered every year.
Optional modules
Careers
This course equips you with the skills to work in education, training, and advisory roles across many sectors. You’ll develop expertise in learning theory, education policy, equality and diversity, and the wider social and economic context of education. Employers in both public and private sectors value graduates who understand how people learn and how to support that learning effectively.
You could progress into careers related to:
- Child welfare
- Mentoring
- Training
- Military service
- Prison education
- Lecturing
- Youth work
- International development
- Charity work
You could also progress onto further study to expand your knowledge and experience to increase your employability, such as our PGCE courses to because a qualified teacher, or our Education MA, Education MRes degree.
Student case studies
Hear from our Education Studies alumni to find out how they found they course and how it prepared them for their future.
Ryan Salter
Scholarship Prizewinner 2023
The lecturers and their support provided has helped me to thrive in an area of study which I hadn't previously explored before university. Getting a scholarship award from my first year results gave me a massive confidence boost going into my second year of studies, and is going to go towards funding my eventual PGCE studies for secondary teaching. The modules available have not only helped me to gain a broad understanding of the field of education in many capacities, but also to focus in on the topics which interest and will benefit me.
Colin Vernon
I chose to study Education Studies with Computing at the University of Worcester as I wanted to teach in the further education sector to help make a positive impact on learners who may have not had the best time at school. I graduated in 2020 with an Upper Second Class Honours Degree then went to Birmingham City University to take my Further Education (FE) PGCE in Computing and Esports, which I passed in July 2021. After the course, I secured a part-time job teaching T levels and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Esports at a further education college in Worcestershire. During one of my modules at Level 6 tutor mentioned that teachers can teach higher education (HE) courses at college and now I teach Web Development and Design on an HNC module at Level 4.
The support provided by the Education Studies and Computing lecturers at Worcester was fantastic as they would give us engaging activities that encouraged us to think about the issues in Education. I now apply what I learned in the classroom with my 16–19-year-old FE students and HE students for my Web development module. My advice for new students is to take up any opportunities available: I did the Level 1 Basketball coaching and took part in conferences through the Students as Academic Partners projects.
Patricia Eriksson
Scholarship Prizewinner 2023
Receiving the award was a moment of great pride and satisfaction. It was amazing to see that my commitment and dedication to my studies was successful. The award also works as a strong motivator, reminding me to always put the effort in and to work hard in pursuit of my goals. Studying Education Studies has opened up my eyes to a range of different careers within the education sector and I feel like it has given me confidence to take the next steps in my journey.
Ryan Salter
Scholarship Prizewinner 2023
The lecturers and their support provided has helped me to thrive in an area of study which I hadn't previously explored before university. Getting a scholarship award from my first year results gave me a massive confidence boost going into my second year of studies, and is going to go towards funding my eventual PGCE studies for secondary teaching. The modules available have not only helped me to gain a broad understanding of the field of education in many capacities, but also to focus in on the topics which interest and will benefit me.
Colin Vernon
I chose to study Education Studies with Computing at the University of Worcester as I wanted to teach in the further education sector to help make a positive impact on learners who may have not had the best time at school. I graduated in 2020 with an Upper Second Class Honours Degree then went to Birmingham City University to take my Further Education (FE) PGCE in Computing and Esports, which I passed in July 2021. After the course, I secured a part-time job teaching T levels and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Esports at a further education college in Worcestershire. During one of my modules at Level 6 tutor mentioned that teachers can teach higher education (HE) courses at college and now I teach Web Development and Design on an HNC module at Level 4.
The support provided by the Education Studies and Computing lecturers at Worcester was fantastic as they would give us engaging activities that encouraged us to think about the issues in Education. I now apply what I learned in the classroom with my 16–19-year-old FE students and HE students for my Web development module. My advice for new students is to take up any opportunities available: I did the Level 1 Basketball coaching and took part in conferences through the Students as Academic Partners projects.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
Lectures and seminars are interactive, encouraging active debate and discussion to help you apply critical thinking and your own knowledge to what is being taught. The mix of informal and formal assessments build on this further, providing the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of what you’ve learnt through both taught and independent research, and develop your academic skills.
Teaching and assessment contents
Lectures will equip you with core information and foundational knowledge, which you can then explore further through discussion and debate in seminars. You’ll be encouraged to take an active role in your learning by engaging in group discussions, sharing your thoughts and opinions, and reflecting on how new insights connect with your prior knowledge. This process will help you consider past advances, address present challenges, and propose solutions that contribute to a brighter and more innovative future for education.
Meet the team
Find out more about our education experts who will be teaching and supporting you through the course.
Sharon Smith
Sharon joined the School of Education at Worcester as a full time member of staff in 2013 as a Senior Lecturer in Education. Sharon previously worked for the University in other capacities. She has worked closely with the University of Worcester for some years delivering Foundation Degrees and engaging in research within the University through funded seconded projects.
Prior to her role at the University of Worcester, the majority of her teaching has been within Further Education and she has also been involved in teaching a range of adult learners including those with learning difficulties and disabilities (and learners with Acquired Brain Injury). In addition, she has worked in schools with pupils with Special Educational Needs. Her expertise has been extensively in training teaching assistants and early years practitioners.
Stuart Gallagher
Stuart is a Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Education. He is a keen learner, attentive listener and experienced leader. He leads Education Studies BA (Hons) and Leading Culture Change in Safeguarding (PG Cert).
Both courses provide their students with relevant knowledge, appropriate real-world challenges and wholehearted support. Stuart balances whole-class teaching with individual tutorials to make sure all learners are seen and heard. He collaborates with student reps and university services to see that all students really enjoy their subject and get the most from each module. The shared goal is an excellent course experience and long-lasting impact of student learning.
Dr Ellie Hill
Ellie's expertise and interest lie in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, student experience at university, personal values, social justice, reflexive research, narrative approaches to research and inclusion. She has completed a PhD in Higher Education student experience, using narrative inquiry to find out about Gen Z student values and the impact of the student experience. Her methodological expertise is in narrative methods and reflexivity as a researcher.
Simon Taylor
Simon joined the School of Education in January 2016 having worked in the arts and cultural sector for many years. He specialises in collaborative research, building partnerships, commissioning, strategic planning, interdisciplinary working and professional development supporting artists, teachers and senior managers.
Simon is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA).
Sharon Smith
Sharon joined the School of Education at Worcester as a full time member of staff in 2013 as a Senior Lecturer in Education. Sharon previously worked for the University in other capacities. She has worked closely with the University of Worcester for some years delivering Foundation Degrees and engaging in research within the University through funded seconded projects.
Prior to her role at the University of Worcester, the majority of her teaching has been within Further Education and she has also been involved in teaching a range of adult learners including those with learning difficulties and disabilities (and learners with Acquired Brain Injury). In addition, she has worked in schools with pupils with Special Educational Needs. Her expertise has been extensively in training teaching assistants and early years practitioners.
Stuart Gallagher
Stuart is a Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Education. He is a keen learner, attentive listener and experienced leader. He leads Education Studies BA (Hons) and Leading Culture Change in Safeguarding (PG Cert).
Both courses provide their students with relevant knowledge, appropriate real-world challenges and wholehearted support. Stuart balances whole-class teaching with individual tutorials to make sure all learners are seen and heard. He collaborates with student reps and university services to see that all students really enjoy their subject and get the most from each module. The shared goal is an excellent course experience and long-lasting impact of student learning.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 88
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | CCD |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | MMM |
| T-level | P (A*-C) |
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is required for some modules on the course.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
In 2026/27 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £9,535 per year (subject to changes in the government tuition fee cap).
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
In 2026/27 the standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £17,200 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Stuart Gallagher
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in Children and Families & Education & Inclusion
s.gallagher@worc.ac.ukAdmissions Office
admissions@worc.ac.uk01905 855111More to explore
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The City of Worcester
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Accommodation
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