Education Studies with Psychology BA (Hons)

First year | Second year | Third year

Modules offered change each year depending on expertise, timetabling and student interests.

First year

Block 1: An Introduction to Education: History and Academic Discipline

This module will provide a background historical context to the major aspects of primary, secondary and tertiary education, as well as education in informal settings

Block 2: Perspectives of Education

This module is structured around two key questions; 'What is learning and how do we learn?' and 'What is the role, purpose and function of education?' To answer these questions , students study key philosophical, sociological and psychological theory and apply to educational practice.

Block 3: Applied Psychology

Applied psychology is broadly considered to be the application of psychological theory and methods to understanding human behaviour and solving real-world practical problems.

Block 4: Contemporary and Evidence-Based Issues in Education

The module will focus on contemporary issues in education, which have emerged as result of historical policies or continue to be prevalent within our education system. Critically analysing these issues, student will be encouraged to discuss the contemporary issues using evidence.

Second year

Block 1: Ways of Learning and Wellbeing

This module will explore child development and in particular an individual's social and emotional development. It will examine a range of perspectives which consider how the cognitive, social and emotional realms of individual development are all closely inter-linked and mutually dependent.

Block 2: Researching Education

Considers the current themes, debates, methods and ethical issues involved when carrying out educational research into children and young people’s lives 

Block 3: 

Psychology and Mental Health

This module introduces students to the history, aetiology, and theories of abnormal psychology.

The Psychology of Social Problems

In this module, students will be introduced to a range of topics that cover current important debates and issues, and will understand them through the application of psychological research and theory.

Block 4: Inclusion and Diversity

This module looks at who is included and excluded within education in the UK and internationally. Using critical theory and lived experience, it encourages students to reflect on political, economic, social and cultural contexts to understand how and why inclusion and exclusion take place.

Third year

Core module:

Plus, select one module from Block 1-2 modules from:

Block 1 – choose 1 module:

  • Global Comparative Education - encourages students to look beyond UK borders by examining education systems around the world, utilising comparative frameworks and considering global conceptualisations of education
  • Music in the Life of the Primary School - offers students basic, core practical skills in primary music education, supported by engagement with key contemporary debates regarding UK policy, practice, theory and research into children’s musical development
  • Radical Educations - examines contemporary radical theories of education, particularly the arguments for ‘critical pedagogy’, and possible responses whilst studying contemporary examples of innovative education
  • Creativity and Education  - will equip students with an understanding of arts education policy, pedagogy, curriculum design, and assessment in a time of educational, economic, technological and social change

Block 2 – choose 1 module:

  • The Practice and Policies of Primary Education - this module considers national perspectives on primary education and provides an insight into teaching and learning in contemporary primary classrooms.
  • Education and Equality: Class, Race and Ethnicity - examines current debates concerning social class, race and ethnicity, and social justice in education
  • Special Educational Needs in Education - explore how primary and secondary schools support children who have special educational needs (SEN)

Block 3 - choose two modules from:

  • Human Sexual and Reproductive Behaviours - this module aims to provide students with an evidence base to understand certain sexual and reproductive health choices and how to reduce the harms associated with any high-risk behaviours.
  • Forensic Psychology - the aim of the module is to encourage and develop students' understanding of criminological and forensic psychology.
  • Psychology of Health and Illness - this module allows students to build on their understanding of social, differential, and developmental psychology and to apply their knowledge of psychology to the area of health-related behaviours and chronic illness
  • Psychology of Eating Behaviour - the overall aim of this module is to develop students’ understanding of human appetite and eating behaviours from a variety of psychological perspectives.
  • Perception - this module is designed to give students an up to date view of perception research and to enable students to critically evaluate current vision science literature.
  • Psychology and Education - this module aims to introduce students to key issues in educational psychology, to allow students to develop an in-depth, critical understanding of theories, research and debates relevant to education in a global context.
  • Cyberpsychology - the module is designed to introduce the academic discipline of cyberpsychology: with specific focus on how people interact with the Internet, and how the online world affects psychological processes and behaviour.

Block 4: Education Dissertation

An independent study on a topic of your choice, agreed with the subject team. It provides an opportunity for students to design and undertake a small-scale study and receive feedback from their tutor