Course overview
Our BA Honours in Education explores the study of education across the globe. You’ll consider sociological, philosophical, historical, political, and psychological perspectives.
Explore the differences between formal and informal learning environments, from museums, art galleries and community organisations to the more structured environments of schools, colleges, and universities.
Examine issues relating to teaching and learning across a wide range of age phases, from early years to lifelong learners. Learn about the relationships between teacher and learner and how these change over time.
Investigate the role of international development in supporting education in developing countries. Explore barriers, such as poverty and access, on a wider geographical scale.
Enhance your employability and gain real world experience through optional work placements in schools, charities and businesses.
Develop a diverse set of research, communication and critical analysis skills that will set you on a path to wide range of careers.
You’ll have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests through a range of optional modules covering topics such as:
- gender
- digital learning
- social justice
- special educational needs
You’ll also have the option to study modules from modern languages, sociology, business and politics alongside your education studies.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Quality and ranking
- 18th in the UK – The Guardian University Guide 2025 (Education category)
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Top 150 for Education – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you’ll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Stage 1
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Education, Children and Society | 20 |
| International Development | 20 |
| The History of Western Education | 20 |
| Social Policy and Learning | 20 |
| Adventures in Digital Learning | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| British and Comparative Education | 20 |
Stage 2
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Psychological perspectives on teaching and learning | 20 |
| Introduction to Research in Education | 20 |
| Globalisation and Development | 20 |
| Social Constructions of Childhood | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Gender and Education | 20 |
| Child Development and Speech and Language Acquisition | 20 |
| Career Development for second year students | 20 |
Stage 3
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Dissertation | 40 |
Additional compulsory module information
You take either:
Responding to Special Educational Needs OR
Social Justice and Education
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Social Justice and Education | 20 |
| Philosophy of Education | 20 |
| Responding to Special Educational Needs | 20 |
| Contemporary Issues in Development | 20 |
| Educational challenges: historical and comparative perspectives | 20 |
| Career Development for final year students | 20 |
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
You’ll learn through a combination of:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Workshops and practical tasks
• Independent study
Skills and experience
Real business skills
Optional work placements provide you with the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferrable skills in real-world settings, including:
- written and verbal communication for a variety of audiences
- critical analysis
- time management
- organisation and planning
- teamwork and collaboration
- leadership
Research skills
Throughout your degree you’ll develop your analytical, investigative and research skills enabling you to produce your own original research dissertation in your final year.
Opportunities
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.
If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.
Find out more about study abroad
Work Placement
You’ll have the opportunity to take two work placement modules during your degree. Our strong local and global connections have allowed our students to secure work placements in a variety of areas and roles, including:
- Schools
- International development organisations
- Charities – UK and International
- Working with refugees of all ages
- English as a foreign language
Find out more about work placements
Facilities and environment
Facilities
You’ll be based in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, which has a wide range of facilities for studying how people learn and communicate.
There’s a well-equipped Education Resource Centre with excellent computing facilities.
We have an active Research Centre engaging with the latest thinking and research in education. The Centre for Learning and Teaching (CfLaT) re
Support
You’ll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
Your future
Join a network of successful graduates
This course prepares you for a wide range of careers across the globe. Our graduates have gone on to work in:
- Education management
- Community / health work
- Widening participation
- Rehabilitation programmes
- Human resources
- Local authorities
- Museums and heritage
- Digital learning
- Environmental organisations
- Teaching English abroad
- Education research
Further Study
This course is excellent preparation for further postgraduate study. If you’d like to become a teacher, our Primary PGCE may be of interest.
Careers support
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
| A-Level | |
|---|---|
| BBB. A minimum of a Grade B or 6 in English at GCSE if without A Levels which demonstrate significant amounts of writing. | |
| International Baccalaureate | |
|---|---|
| 32 points including three subjects grade 5 or above at Higher Level. English at SL grade 5 required if without Higher Level subjects which demonstrate significant amounts of writing. | |
