6th
in the UK for graduate prospects
Complete University Guide 2025
4th
for teaching on my course
National Student Survey 2024
Top 20
in the UK for Education
Guardian University Guide 2025
Join us at one of our Open Days!
Saturday 12 October | Friday 1 November | Saturday 23 November
Saturday 12 October
Friday 1 November
Saturday 23 November
Our next Open Day is in:
Overview
Do you have a passion for education? Do you want to be an agent of change? Then this course is for you.
Go beyond the classroom
Our BA (Hons) Education course prepares you for a future career in education, as you go beyond the confines of the classroom to analyse the fast-changing landscape of education.
Exploring topics on a local, national and global scale, you’ll learn about education from all perspectives and understand how you can make a significant difference to the lives of others.
You will study a range of important educational topics including social justice and contemporary issues in education, which will fully prepare you for your professional career within the sector.
Open up your career options
This broadly-scoped degree opens up opportunities to work in the community or with organisations that have an educational component to their work, or a career in teaching at any level.
Placement opportunities
We also offer work-based placements in the second and third year that help you to contextualise theoretical learning and examine contemporary educational issues in society.
On this course you will:
- Investigate, understand and analyse the fast-changing landscape of education.
- Study real-word projects as you learn in an active manner.
- Explore and consider key theories of human development and the nature of education.
- Provide a firm foundation for a career within educational settings.
The Course
Explore key theories of human development around the nature of education and learning
Our BA (Hons) Education course gives you a comprehensive overview of key contemporary theories and conceptions surrounding education, allowing you to discover and pursue your specific interests.
Course structure
You will take eight modules in each year of your course.
- Year One: All compulsory modules.
- Year Two: Six compulsory and two optional modules.
- Year Three: Four compulsory and four optional modules.
Each set of optional modules contains specialist options in Education, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and International Education. In your second and third year you will select modules that are pertinent to your degree route and future career pathway.
Select a year
Childhood to Adulthood
This module develops your awareness of the biological, intellectual, social and emotional changes that occur from childhood through to adulthood. You will examine the phases of development in children from conception through to puberty, early adolescence and adolescence in a changing world. You also will examine growth and physical development in the early years, motor development and maturation.
Equality of Opportunity and Diversity
This module will explore relationships between cultural identity, social policy and issues of equality and diversity.
You will examine key features of the theory and practice of social and educational inclusion from several perspectives, and explore issues central to inclusion, human rights, equal opportunities and social justice.
You will explore patterns of inequality in selected areas of social policy and provision with reference to the British experience and some international issues.
Valuing Individual Differences
This module develops your knowledge of atypical development in children and young people.
You will focus on the medical, genetic and environmental influences on children’s development, and evaluate theories of child development to gain a deeper understanding of how individual differences can affect learning.
In doing so, it will develop your thinking on the current discourses about defining special educational needs and disability.
Learning Communities – Children Learning, Children Thinking
This module explores the sociological influences relating to our success as learners.
You will use research on thinking, learning and development to consider how individuals can maximise learning opportunities for themselves and help others to learn.
In addition, you will explore influences on learning, development and identity and discuss how learners are included or excluded from education settings.
Central to the module is a sociocultural perspective on learning and education that looks beyond the individual to communities and the historical contexts in which learning takes place.
Education, Philosophy and Thinking – Historical Perspectives
You’ll begin to explore the key debates in philosophies of education with a particular focus on personal and institutional value systems and how educational contexts have developed over time.
The module introduces a coherent historical framework, which helps you to understand how educational perspectives and values change and evolve.
Science in Education and Society
This module introduces you to the subject, 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.
You will develop your understanding of the importance of science in society and educational settings and how science capital may be fostered and developed.
You will explore science-specific pedagogy in order to engage learners in science learning episodes, as you learn how to use the ‘outside classroom’ to teach science and foster engagement.
The module will consider the importance of cognitive science in the learning process, as you identify how theory and practice are linked so that they can recognise how research informs practice.
Speech, Language and Communication
Compulsory module
This module will introduce you to a range of developmental, cognitive, social and emotional influences that affect children’s development in speech, language and communication.
You will also learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that contribute to removing barriers to communication and interaction.
Throughout the module, you will become familiar with Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC), ICT, sign language and the use pictures/symbols to aid communication.
From Bognor to Bogota and Beyond: An Introduction to the UN and SDGs
You will be encouraged to look beyond your immediate surroundings to the wider world.
You’ll find out how global issues such as those outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals have an impact on people across the world as well as on your own lives.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and its role in educational provision will also be considered.
Global Citizenship: Living and Working in A Diverse and Interconnected World
Compulsory module
This module allows you to critically engage with some of the key global issues of our times and prepares you to think beyond your immediate locality about how you are connected with people and environments that you may never have seen.
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.
Work-Based Placement
Compulsory module
This module broadens your knowledge of a range of educational contexts and provides you with insights from beyond the classroom as you undertake a placement experience in an education setting of your choice.
The World of Play
Compulsory module
More information on this module coming soon.
International Perspectives
Optional module – International Education specialism
This module allows you to critically engage in discussions about special education needs and disability in a global context. You will gain insights into how disability is understood in different societies and develop a greater understanding of global perspectives of health, educational and care provision. You will develop your knowledge of other factors such as war, poverty, natural disasters and affluence that may result in children having a special educational need and/or disability.
Humanities in Education and Society
OptionalOptional module – Education specialism
This module is based upon the belief that a broad and balanced curriculum enhances learning and that the humanities play an important part in this. You will learn about the areas of history, geography and RE and understand how they can motivate children.
Disability and Society
OptionalThis module will introduce you to the historical and social context of disability in society. You will consider different models of disability that influence society’s attitudes to people with developmental differences and develop your knowledge of how the disability discourse has changed over time.
Arts in Education and Society
OptionalOptional module – Education specialism
You will engage with a range of discourses surrounding arts and society within the processes of teaching and learning.
A range of disciplinary subjects including performing arts, drama, theatre, music and visual arts will be explored.
In addition, key concepts such as creativity, design, performance and aesthetics will be considered from philosophical, pedagogical and social perspectives.
Principles Into Practice
OptionalOptional module – SEND specialism
This module gives an overview of the laws and policies that relate to the education and care of people who have a SEND and how they affect people who have SEND, their families and the people who work with them.
You will understand how education, health and social care policies translate into practice and the importance of including the voice of persons with SEND in the provision they want.
Issues in Secondary and Further Education
OptionalThis module examines secondary and tertiary education, introducing you to the context of secondary education. The module will extend and deepen cross programme themes like inclusion, curriculum and inequality.
You will also discuss themes that are pertinent to the secondary and tertiary provision. For instance, an exemplar student’s journey across secondary and tertiary provision will be tracked considering themes including transition, curriculum design, support for progression and wider school functions.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
OptionalThe module explores key issues, concepts and methods in teaching English as a second, foreign or an additional language. A career in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) offers opportunities to work at home and internationally, and to experience life in different cultures.
It begins by introducing the fundamentals of language learning and examining key theories and concepts in second language acquisition. It also presents the pedagogical processes in language teaching and provides some first-hand experience of English language teaching in practice through micro-teaching and observations.
As well as considering a critical examination of a range of contemporary issues in language education, the module identifies key pedagogical issues and debates from the latest language education research. It explores the role of professional TESOL educators in national and international contexts and the skills and knowledge required to work in these contexts.
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.
Work-Based Placement
Compulsory module
This module broadens your knowledge of a range of educational contexts and provides you with insights from beyond the classroom as you undertake a placement experience in an education setting of your choice.
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.
Learning From and Within the Community
OptionalOptional module – Education specialism
This module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to investigate a variety of organisations and groups that operate within the local community that have an educational element to their work. You will have the chance to create an educational project for an organisation in the community.
Do the Right Thing: Moral Issues in Education
OptionalOptional module – Education specialism
This module examines key themes that traditionally underpin western moral philosophy, including:
- utilitarianism
- duty-based theories
- relativism
- absolutism
- rights theory
- and pluralism.
You will explore how the underpinning concepts of western ethical thought have developed historically and their relevance to education.
For example, unless one understands the basis for deciding whether something is right or wrong, how can one justify promoting or sanctioning it?
The content of this module will enable you to use knowledge and understanding of ethical issues to inform their practice and approach to teaching.
Understanding Families
OptionalOptional module – SEND specialism
This module examines the impact that having a child with a disability has on the family. You will identify the social, economic and psychological factors affecting families who are bringing up a child who has a special need and/or disability. This will lead to discussions about how professionals from different institutions should work with families to overcome some of the challenges that families face because they have a child with a SEND.
Disability Studies
OptionalOptional module – SEND specialism
This module allows you to examine the history of disability rights, the implications of the SEND Code of Practice, and the various contemporary definitions of “disability”. You will also consider the role of critical writings of Foucault and Bourdieu within this context.
Exploring Mathematical Thinking
OptionalOptional module – Education specialism
What is mathematics and why does it seem to matter so much? This module will inspire you to reflect on this question and, in doing so, increase your critical knowledge of mathematics education. Your own relationship with the subject will be explored, as will ideas on the beauty and power inherent within the subject.
Education in Multi-Ethnic Britain
OptionalOptional module – Education specialism
You will consider the benefits and challenges that result from the ever-changing demographics of the UK’s population. You will consider the historical perspectives that have resulted in the UK becoming such a diverse and multi-ethnic society.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
OptionalOptional module – SEND specialism
This module investigates the importance of good social, emotional and mental health for children, young people and into adulthood.
You will examine the current climate of children’s mental health in the UK and other countries as you consider some of the features in school environments that might result in poor mental health.
In addition, you will also consider cultural influences on a decline in mental health in the population of the UK.
Children’s Literature in Education
OptionalThis module will introduce you to the features of children’s literature and its place in the primary classroom. Drawing upon the motivational power of texts, you will come to recognise how engaging texts can promote children’s language and literacy development. You will be introduced to a variety of ways in which children’s literature can be used as a stimulus for creating engaging learning experiences for pupils, including through poetry and multi-modal texts.
Early Education for Sustainability
OptionalOptional module – International Education specialism
This module provides the opportunity to explore the topic from an early childhood education perspective both globally and locally.
You will explore current themes and discourse to develop an understanding of early education in laying foundations for future thinking and actions.
Investigations will consider how early years settings in the United Kingdom can embed principles and practices in relation to sustainable education for young children and their families.
Engaging All Learners
OptionalOptional 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.
Pedagogy and Practice
OptionalOptional Module
This module examines the context in which teachers develop their skills, confidence and ethos in their professional world. It achieves this by helping you review your own education experience while exploring the concept of professionalism. You will also critically explore the role of professionals in the context of cultural and political change.
You will also look at the professional attributes and responsibilities expected of schoolteachers, which include organisation, role modelling, the development of respectful relationships and autonomy within the relevant statutory frameworks.
Professionalism will also be explored in practice; you will be required to investigate roles and responsibilities through the experiences of a trainee or early career teacher. The roles of other professionals who work with teachers will also be examined, along with contemporary initiatives and pedagogical approaches.
The module will also support you in meeting specific entry requirements into professional training, such as interviews.
Comparative Education – the International Context
OptionalOptional module – International Education specialism
The module explores global issues in education and the different contexts in which children and young people learn and educators teach in formal and informal settings. It begins by introducing key concepts used in international education policy and practice. It presents information and research around educational opportunities and inequalities worldwide and discusses their historical and sociological origins.
Experience
Discover facilities that help support your learning
Classroom resources
Expert staff
Close community
Learning Resource Centre
Library
Subject specific librarians
Teaching and Assessment
Discover innovative teaching techniques and varied assessment methods
Teaching
The University of Chichester has a long and proud history of education-based courses, having trained teachers here for over 180 years.
We use strategies that are designed to enable you to effectively master a broad base of concepts, skills, knowledge, understanding and practice.
Our focus on group discussion and the consideration of the thoughts of others allow you to develop your own ideas, all with the support of experienced academics who are at the forefront of their discipline.
You’ll experience a mixture of:
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Practical sessions
- Outdoor learning experiences
- Field trips
- Case studies
- Whole group
- Sub-group activities.
Within these sessions, you will be challenged to go further and be encouraged to be proactive, responsive and responsible for your own learning and ideas outside of the classroom.
Assessment
The key to a degree, and subsequent career, in education and teaching is communication.
Therefore, there will be a range of methods to assess the knowledge, understanding and skills you will develop on the course.
These will range from more traditional assessment methods such as essays and presentations, to more education specific practices such as lesson plans, lesson commentaries and curriculum packs.
There will also be a focus on your ability to function within a workplace setting, as well as a final independent project that will act a culmination of your three years of learning on the course.
Modules are assessed at every stage of the course, offering cumulative assessment of your progress. Your academic advisor and lecturers are available for advice throughout your degree.
Work Placements
Gain vital experience within a professional environment to support your learning
As part of this course, you will gain the opportunity to experience placements during the second and third year.
This will give you great insight into how different industries integrate education in their organisations.
Placement opportunities include:
- Special needs schools
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Early years settings
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- West Sussex County Council
- Museums, such as the Sea Life Centre.
International Exchange
See our opportunities for incoming and outgoing international study
Whether you are considering studying here and want to take a semester or year out to study abroad, or if you are currently studying at a University which has a partnership with the University of Chichester, engaging in an international exchange programme enriches and broadens your educational experiences.
Outgoing students
As a student at the University of Chichester, you will have the opportunity to study at one of our partner institutions in your second year of study.
Students who have done this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves in a new culture.
See our Outgoing Exchanges page for more information.
Incoming students
Coming to study at the University of Chichester, you will be welcomed into our community and discover a new culture. The city of Chichester is a beautiful and historic place for you to get to know.
You are also close to the lively cities of Brighton, Portsmouth and Southampton, as well as a train journey from London.
Study Abroad
Take the opportunity to study part of your course abroad
As a student at the University of Chichester, you can explore opportunities to study abroad during your studies as you enrich and broaden your educational experiences.
Students who have done this in the past have found it to be an amazing experience to broaden their horizons, a great opportunity to meet new people, undertake further travelling and to immerse themselves within a new culture.
You will be fully supported throughout the process to help find the right destination institution for you and your course. We can take you through everything that you will need to consider, from visas to financial support, to ensure that you get the best out of your time studying abroad.
Careers
Open up a wide variety of professional careers within education
Education graduates can progress into a range of careers within the sector. Many graduates progress to a PGCE to become a classroom teacher, however, there are a range of other career choices in schools and other organisations.
Graduates can become educational administrators, or work for local or national government with a focus on public education systems.
There are also opportunities to pursue roles within Special Educational Needs.
Career paths include roles within:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Prisons
- Charities
- Museums
- Galleries
- Church and faith organisations
- International development.
Further study
We also offer masters qualifications in both Education and Inclusive Special Education to help you continue your studies and increase your employability even further.
Postgraduate pathways
- MA Education
- MA Inclusive Special Education
- PGCE.
University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree at the University will receive a 15% discount on their postgraduate fees.
Student View
"You don’t have to become a teacher, it shows you everything you can do within education."
Sienna
Erin
Course Costs
Course Fees 2024/25
UK fee
International fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
Course specific costs
You will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check costing £40 which needs to be paid for before the start of the course.
Entry Requirements
UCAS
A Levels
T Level
BTEC
Cambridge Technical
Access to HE Diploma
IB
IELTS
Contextual offers
We believe everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue higher education, regardless of their background.
When we receive your application we consider your personal circumstances and the factors surrounding your achievements to see if you are eligible for a contextual offer. This is an offer with a reduced entry tariff – typically the equivalent of 16 fewer UCAS points (two A-level grades).
Find out more about our contextual offers.
DBS
BA (Hons) Education applicants are required to have an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service check which needs to be paid for before the start of the course.
We strongly suggest that all students sign up for the Disclosure and Barring Service update service for which there is a small annual charge, this makes the DBS portable both during and after the degree.
Failure to sign up for the update service might require the student to gain a further enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check which will incur additional costs.
Integrated Foundation Year Option
Build your academic knowledge, skills and confidence before your studies begin
Are you interested in studying for an education degree but you’d like to build a better foundation of knowledge? Then the BA (Hons) Education with Integrated Foundation Year is an ideal option for you.
This four-year route will help you gain a deeper understanding of the philosophy, policy and practice of education while building your academic skills.
Studying at university can be challenging, so this course includes an introductory year to build your academic knowledge, skills and confidence.
Foundation Year
- Foundation in Knowledge and Skills
- Learning Outdoors
- Children’s Literature in Education
- Professional Studies: Learners and Learning
- Valuing Individual Differences
- Personal Study in Education.
Year One:
- Learning Communities: Children Learning, Children Thinking
- Childhood to Adulthood
- From Bognor to Bogota and Beyond: An Introduction to the UN and SDGs
- Equality of Opportunity and Diversity
- Education, Philosophy and Thinking: Historical Perspectives
- Arts in Education and Society.
Year Two
- Global Citizenship: Living And Teaching In A Diverse And Interconnected World
- Facing Environmental Crisis: Facilitating Learning For The Ecological Self
- Learning from and Within the Community
- Work-based Placement
- Research in Education
- Forest Schools
- Humanities in Education and Society
- Comparative Education: The International Context.
Year Three
- Independent Project
- Exploring Mathematical Thinking
- Creativity, Technology and Learning
- Education in Multi-Ethnic Britain
- Do the Right Thing: Moral Issues in Education
- Work-Based Placement
- Special Educational Needs and Disability: Engaging All Learners
- Early Education and Sustainability
- Mental Health and Wellbeing.
This list is indicative and subject to future change.
This course offers
- An additional year to build academic skills.
- Lower entry requirements than the main degree pathway.
- More insight into education degree pathways and careers.
- Includes a school placement to give you a taster of a career in teaching.
Course costs and entry requirements
- 2022/23 UK fee: £9,250
- 2022/23 International fee: £14,500
- A minimum of 48 UCAS tariff points or equivalent.
- Enhanced DBS check required
- If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in writing or equivalent
- Non-standard Application Entry Routes: The University has an alternative entry route for applicants who have relevant skills and experience but who do not hold the formal minimum entry qualifications required. Applicants who demonstrate the necessary skills and experience to enter a course of higher education will be asked to complete an entry task involving the completion of specially set assignments.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Click the ‘Apply now’ button to go to relevant UCAS page.
Many qualifications have a UCAS Tariff value. The score depends on the qualification, and the grade you achieved.
Head to the UCAS Tariff Points web page where you can find a tariff points calculator that can tell you how much your qualification and grades are worth.