BA (Hons) Education

Childhood to Adulthood

The central aim of this module will be to develop your awareness of the cognitive, social, physical and emotional changes that occur from childhood through to adulthood and how these impact upon individuals. It will examine the phases of development and transitions for children from conception through to childhood, adolescence and adulthood in a changing world.  

Psychological perspectives on cognitive, social, physical and emotional development will predominate and will be evaluated, including from a cross-cultural perspective. Where appropriate, specific contextual parameters such as different educational settings will be examined.  

Learning Communities: Children Thinking, Children Learning 

Complementing the module ‘Childhood to Adulthood’, this module explores the sociological influences brought to bear on our success as learners.

The module draws on historical and contemporary theory and research into thinking, learning and development in order to consider how individuals can maximise learning opportunities for themselves and help others to learn.

In this module, you will explore influences on learning, development and identity. You will be encouraged to draw on your personal learning experiences and experiences of classroom life at all levels in education settings.   

Science and Society

This module aims to explore the key theoretical and pedagogic knowledge and attitudes related to the learning of science in schools and early years settings, so that it is possible to build a scientifically literate population.

The module seeks to develop your understanding of the importance of science in society and educational settings, and how science capital may be fostered and developed.

In this module, you will explore science-specific pedagogy to engage learners in science learning episodes. This will involve you learning how to use the ‘outside classroom’ to teach and foster engagement.

You will consider the importance of cognitive science in the learning process, and you will identify how theory and practice are linked and how research informs practice. 

Educational Perspectives

This thought-provoking module introduces you to the key ideas, movements, and debates that have shaped education over time. Drawing on historical, philosophical, sociological, psychological, and ideological perspectives, you will explore how different ways of thinking have influenced what education is, who it is for, and what it should achieve. 

You will critically engage with fundamental questions such as: What knowledge is most valuable? What should children learn—and why? How do political and social forces shape education?

Through examining competing perspectives, including child-centred, vocational, and critical approaches, you will begin to develop your own informed stance on the purpose and future of education. 

Speech, Language and Communication

This module explores speech, language and communication as fundamental aspects of human interaction, participation and human rights, recognising diverse ways in which people communicate and make meaning.

Grounded in a rights-based and inclusive framework, it moves beyond deficit-oriented and diagnostic models to focus on removing barriers within environments rather than locating difficulty solely within the individual. 

You will develop an understanding of the wide range of speech, language and communication profiles across all learners, and how these are shaped by social, cultural and educational contexts.

Emphasis is placed on universal and targeted approaches to communication-supportive practice, including the design of inclusive classroom environments, the use of visual supports, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), digital technologies, and multimodal forms of expression.

Diversity and Inclusion in Contemporary Education

This module aims to explore issues of equality and diversity within the context of contemporary education. Individual differences and attitudes towards these within contemporary education are explored in relation to other relevant contextual influences such as culture, policy and social systems.  

Inclusion, as a complex and contested concept, is examined in relation to individual differences, identity, and educational policy and practice.

The module will examine issues central to inclusion, human rights, equal opportunities and social justice. It will examine patterns of inequality and theoretical models will be used to inform analysis of contemporary policy and practice.  

Forest Schools Principles and Practices

Compulsory module

A forest school is a journey of self-discovery and awareness in the outdoors in which participants are given the freedom to explore their surroundings, themselves and others through their curiosity and imagination.

The approach is heralded by some as inspirational but described by others as re-branding of old ideas giving questionable impact.

This module explores principles that underpin the forest school approach and reflects on evidence for its effectiveness.

Professionalism and Collaborative Practice

Optional module – SEND specialism

This module will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of working in different contexts with children and young people who have a Special Educational Need and/or Disability (SEND), and their families.

You will examine the roles of key professionals in health, education and the social care, and how they need to coordinate their services to benefit families and individuals who have a SEND.

You will consider the importance of collaborative practice between professionals from different agencies.

Exploring the Curriculum

This exciting module brings the foundation subjects to life, exploring how they inspire children and young adults to develop cultural awareness, historical understanding, and ethical insight.

You will discover how subjects such as history, languages, and religious education ignite curiosity about the world and help children make sense of diverse cultures, beliefs, and lived experiences. 

Through engaging with distinctive concepts and creative pedagogical approaches, you will explore how powerful approaches can spark imagination and deepen understanding.

The module encourages you to think critically about how we learn, why these subjects matter, and how teaching them in creative and meaningful ways can have a lasting impact. 

You will build your knowledge through discussion, research, and critical engagement with current educational evidence, developing confidence in connecting theory with practice.

You will also explore how to design learning experiences that foster curiosity, respect, and appreciation of different worldviews. 

By the end of the module, you will be equipped not only with a strong understanding of the foundation subjects, but also with the ability to critically evaluate how they are taught and to champion creative, inspiring approaches that enrich children’s learning and broaden their horizons.

Professional Placement

You will undertake a placement experience in an education setting of your choice to broaden your knowledge and understanding of a range of educational contexts and develop insights beyond the classroom. 

Such placements might include time spent supporting individuals or groups in a SEND or early childhood context, or in another organisation with an educational element, for example, a theatre or museum.

This module might place you away from the university in a location contrasting sharply with West Sussex and chosen for its unfamiliarity and challenge; this may even be outside of the UK. In this environment, students will have the opportunity to look, think and question.

Using diverse evidence, you will build your understanding of the nature of education in that place. You will be introduced to the importance of context in education and the complexities of education at large.

You will be responsible for organising and then completing a placement , researching a mutually agreed topic and question. 

Engaging All Learners

Optional module

This module will introduce you to a range of developmental, cognitive, social and emotional influences that affect pupil learning and progress. You will learn how to plan, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that contribute to removing barriers to learning, including the use of Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) AAC and ICT.

The World of Play

Compulsory module

More information on this module coming soon.

Independent Project

Compulsory module

The module will explore research approaches and design through a series of seminar sessions.

You will also receive tutorial support from a designated tutor, who, at key points, will provide formative assessment.

Most of the learning will be independent, making use of journals, research methodology textbooks and policy developments in your field of interest.

Creative Approaches to Primary English and Mathematics

This module will inspire you to reflect on key themes that underpin creative English and mathematics education in the primary school.

Themes may include: curiosity and enjoyment, play and exploration, power and justice, meaning and understanding, pedagogical approaches, and inclusive practices.   

You will reflect on key ideas and concepts, and how these are translated into creative educational practices and curriculum design. 

Creativity, Technology and Learning

Compulsory module

This module will enable you to investigate, both academically and practically, how innovative technologies can be used in learning and teaching in a wide variety of mainstream and specialist educational settings.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

This module investigates the importance of good social, emotional and mental health for children, young people and into adulthood. It will examine the current climate of children’s mental health in the UK and in comparison, to other countries. You will consider some of the features in school environments that might result in poor mental health. It will also consider cultural influences on a decline in mental health in the population of the UK.

Education for Global Citizenship

This module builds on the principles of social justice and the global dimension met through other modules.

It aims to support you in understanding the relationship between global issues and the role of education in helping children make sense of these. In doing so, it will draw upon curriculum outcomes, statutory guidance and non-statutory guidance / ambitious objectives from international, national and local frameworks (e.g. UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for analysing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, inequality, and education access through activities such as considering how to design inclusive curricula and evaluating access to education).  

You will also refine your understanding of social justice and injustice, equality and diversity and realise the interconnected nature of local and global policies, actions and events (inc. those that are natural, political, and social).

Professional Enrichment

This module aims to provide contexts in which you will develop your skills and confidence in your professional world. To do so, it aims to engage you in effective professional development within an area of interest relevant to education.

You will hone your skills and develop your knowledge, including transferable skills in preparation for the dynamic workplace, such as project management, organisation and communication skills.