
- UCAS course code
- X300
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course description
BSc Education draws upon psychology, sociology and critical policy analysis to help explain and understand teaching and learning processes, the mechanisms of and solutions to global inequalities both within and beyond education, and how such issues are affected by government policies on education.
A key feature of the BSc Education is the opportunity to choose from one of three specialist pathways through the degree, to enable students to focus their studies on a particular career trajectory. This is not compulsory and you are welcome to tailor all your optional units to your own preferences instead.
The three optional pathways are:
- Primary/Early Years Education;
- International Education;
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The course is ideally suited for those who wish to:
- begin a career pathway towards Primary or Early Years teaching (e.g. through PGCE Primary);
- begin a career pathway towards professional psychology training routes, with an educational focus (e.g. educational psychology);
- enter into other education-based vocations, with a specialism towards pastoral responsibilities and/or special educational needs;
- enter into a career in Teaching English as a Second Language and/or Non-Government Organisations (NGO) focused on community education or adult learning both in the UK and overseas;
- prepare for a research career within the public sector and/or private industry.
- the ability to collate and analyse data, information, evidence;
- critical analysis of contemporary global problems in education;
- written and oral communication skills.
In Year 2, this is supported by planning a research project and spending time with a host organisation in an educational setting. This helps build skills to undertake a substantial piece of research in Year 3.
Aims
Teaching and learning
Teaching sessions will typically include a mixture of formats (e.g. lectures/flipped classroom approach), to present knowledge in a systematic and comprehensible way. This will be accompanied by individual and group tasks to provide further opportunities for the discussion and processing of new knowledge.
The development of specialist knowledge will further be supported through individual tutorial support and dissertation supervision.
Coursework and assessment
Course content for year 1
Year 1 introduces the research and study skills expected of students accessing a first year undergraduate course.This includes developing understanding in the core disciplines that underpin education - psychology, sociology and critical policy studies for instance, by recognising and juxtaposing key theories and issues regarding education locally and globally.
It also includes developing competencies and skills in research methods and obtaining relevant literature sources, effective inter- and intra-personal skills, and independent and sustained motivation for autonomous learning.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Developing Academic Writing and Digital Study Skills | EDUC10631 | 10 | Mandatory |
Understanding Research | EDUC10642 | 20 | Mandatory |
Key Issues in Education | EDUC11100 | 20 | Mandatory |
Foundations of psychology | EDUC13011 | 10 | Mandatory |
Sociology of Education | EDUC14051 | 20 | Mandatory |
Education in a Global Context | EDUC14082 | 20 | Mandatory |
Development and childhood | EDUC13022 | 20 | Optional |
Digital Technologies in Education | EDUC14021 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 2
Year 2 places stronger demands on students to think critically and evaluate information and evidence.
There is a greater emphasis on the application of theory to key educational problems through preparing for a research project and the completion of 40 hours in an educational organisation of your choice.
You will continue to build and deepen their knowledge of the course's core areas, and have the opportunity to choose a specialism in either primary and early year's education, international education, or special educational needs and disabilities.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Planning for a Research Project and Employment | EDUC20730 | 20 | Mandatory |
Psychology of Learning | EDUC21740 | 20 | Mandatory |
Social Justice in Education | EDUC24051 | 20 | Mandatory |
The Brain goes to school | EDUC13031 | 20 | Optional |
Inclusive Education in Practice | EDUC21722 | 20 | Optional |
Teaching and Learning of Mathematics | EDUC22002 | 20 | Optional |
Teaching & Learning Literacy | EDUC22012 | 20 | Optional |
Pedagogic Practices in Education | EDUC24042 | 20 | Optional |
Intercultural Learning | EDUC24062 | 20 | Optional |
International Education Systems and Policy | EDUC24072 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 3
In Year 3, you are offered the opportunity to deepen and apply your skills and knowledge - through your elected specialism (if you have chosen one), a range of optional units, and your dissertation project.
Students are given more demanding assignments than in Year 2 and are required to foster further independence in their learning, appropriate to the ultimate aims and objectives of the course. The application of theory to practical educational problems is further developed through the Year 3 research- or literature-based dissertation.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Dissertation BSc (Hons) Education | EDUC34000 | 40 | Mandatory |
Equity in Education | EDUC30651 | 20 | Optional |
Classroom Communication and Learning | EDUC31052 | 20 | Optional |
Current Issues in Special Educational Needs | EDUC33002 | 20 | Optional |
Critical pedagogies and Higher Education in Global Majority Contexts | EDUC34052 | 20 | Optional |
Language Acquisition at Home and School | EDUC34071 | 20 | Optional |
Race, Racism and Ethnicity in Education | EDUC34091 | 20 | Optional |
Sustainability Education | EDUC34402 | 20 | Optional |
Primary Science, Arts and Humanities Education | EDUC34552 | 20 | Optional |
Educational Leadership | EDUC34752 | 20 | Optional |
What our students say
- Read Bethany's blog where she discusses her typical week on the course
- Chat to Bethany and other students about student life
Facilities
This course is taught by the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE), which has an incredibly strong heritage - education has been a field of study at The University of Manchester since 1890.
You will benefit from studying within an environment that has a national and international reputation for quality in teaching, scholarship, and research in this field.
We pride ourselves on close staff-student relationships and guided, one-to-one supervision.
The Institute promotes equality and diversity, and you will study in an environment that embraces values of cultural diversity and is fundamentally committed to equality of opportunity, regardless of race, disability, religious or other beliefs, sexual orientation, or age.
MIE provides opportunities for progression to taught and research master's degrees, as well as our Ofsted 'Outstanding' Primary PGCE.