About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: X300
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: Normally 280 minimum
- Department: Education
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Delivery: Full-time
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: Jane Andrews
Introduction
In light of new government policies on schools and teaching the education sector is evolving rapidly. In response to these changes we are launching an exciting new programme, BA(Hons) Education, Learning and Development, from September 2012. This programme replaces BA(Hons) Education Studies and BA(Hons) Education Studies plus PGCE (3+1).
Education, Learning and Development explores education policy and practice together with learning in a range of formal and informal settings and the power of these experiences to transform the lives of children, young people, adults and communities in the UK and around the world. You will also learn about different professions within the education and lifelong learning sectors, working with learners of all ages, including teaching but not exclusively focusing on schools as learning environments.
This is an ideal course choice if you enjoy working with people and understanding how to enable effective learning and development, but are not at this stage certain about a career in teaching.
The degree programme will also contain within it a supported pathway for those interested in postgraduate study of teaching in primary schools or the FE sector – with specific module options to support such interest. The tailored pathway will allow you to make the very strongest application for a PGCE when the time comes. Provided you achieve a 2.1 degree, can demonstrate suitability for teaching and make an early application, we will give you prior consideration for progression to a relevant PGCE programme at UWE.
Find out more about what our Studies in Childhood and Education at UWE have to offer in terms of teaching quality, staff expertise and your student experience.
Student's view
"The Department of Education has spectacular facilities. It also offers excellent support for students from academic staff and from the Student Adviser."
Elizabeth, Education Studies
Structure
Content
Education, Learning and Development modules include a focus on: education policy and practice; education for sustainable development; how people learn through the life course; child and adolescent development; disability, special educational needs and inclusion; equalities and social justice through education; technology enhanced learning and education in virtual worlds; creativity, arts and community; languages, literacies and learning.
In your second year you will have an opportunity to explore a range of professional roles in working with learners in a variety of educational settings and in your final year you will have the opportunity to research and write a dissertation on an educational topic of your choice.
We use a variety of methods of teaching including formal lectures, seminars and workshops, tutor and student-led study groups, and one-to-one tutorials. All students are expected to learn both in groups and independently, as well as through the effective use of on-line resources - as these help to develop important graduate skills. We will provide you with all the support and assistance you need and actively encourage you to learn effectively in a variety of ways. We use a range of assessment types, including oral and poster presentations, and written assignments, some of which are written under exam conditions.
Hear what our students think about their time at UWE.
Teaching and learning
Graduate Development Programme
We regard it a high priority that you gain good, graduate level employment on completion of your university studies. We aim for our students to be employable by schools and related educational settings. We support our students through the Graduate Development Programme system of personal and academic development. For GDP you will work in small groups with a tutor, the seminars are student initiated and cover all aspects necessary for successful progress through university.
GDP and key skills
The key skills are a set of attributes that are highly valued by employers and developed through your study and participation in university life. They are:
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem Solving skills
- Team Working skills
- Independent Working skills
Communication
We regard it as extremely important to develop your confidence as a public speaker and nearly all modules expect you to research arguments and present them both formally and informally in seminars or assessments.
Numeracy
Numeracy can be developed through modules such as Researching Education and Maths, Culture and Cognition, which require you to develop critical reading skills for statistics.
IT
You will also develop good IT skills. IT is embedded in almost everything you do. You will look on the web to find your timetable or exam results. You will learn through our state of the art virtual learning environment, and you will use often quite advanced IT based presentation skills in some of your assessments.
Learning to Learn
We will work with you to develop your study skills and make you a fully independent learner. Such an attribute is highly valued by employers seeking self-motivated staff with the initiative to get things done.
Working with Others
You will work with others throughout your course. Our approach is known as 'blended learning'. That means that you will sometimes work on your own via web based materials, but also that you will engage with web-based materials in the company of others. There is no substitute for personal contact through group work and you should be able to demonstrate a wide range of interpersonal skills through collaborative project work.
Work in GDP will be an essential tool in recording your achievements and you should be able to draw on it in constructing your CV and writing applications for employment or further study.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
Assessment
Assessment is mainly through coursework, with examinations in some subjects where appropriate.
Special Features
Placements
Many of our students want to work with children, young people or adults, either as teachers or in other ways. We expect each of our students to undertake voluntary work placements with an education, learning and development focus. UWE’s Community Volunteer Programme (CVP) will help you find a suitable placement and you will keep a record of your experience and achievements. This is valuable experience for employability. The programme will also include modules that support you in undertaking some work-based learning and you will also have an optional opportunity to explore establishing an educational or training enterprise.
Criminal Records Bureau clearance will be a requirement of modules in the programme that include a placement where the placement involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults.
Depending on the availability of suitable academic agreements with partner universities, you may be able to apply for a period of study abroad during your second year.
Study facilities
The Department of Education provides a pleasant environment in which to study. Its modern, purpose-built facilities provide high quality teaching rooms with state-of-the-art technology available. The Department has excellent IT facilities and houses an Open Learning Area with the latest equipment including an interactive whiteboard, CD burners, scanners and a range of equipment that can be booked out and borrowed, including digital cameras and laptops, with friendly staff on hand to help when needed.
Careers/further study
The course will be attractive to those interested in all forms of education, training, communication and human development and can lead to a variety of career options, including teaching in further education or primary schools for those candidates who apply successfully to do a relevant PGCE.
Other linked careers include training and consultancy, careers guidance, learning support, youth and community work, local government and educational administration, health promotion, human resource management, library and information management, heritage industries, or educational research.
With the cost of Higher Education increasing, making the decision to study at university can seem daunting, but it can greatly benefit you by enhancing your skills and improving your job prospects, in addition to being a worthwhile experience in its own right.
UWE’s Graduate Development Programme (GDP) is available to help you develop your confidence and independence, enhancing your personal achievement and creating a really fulfilling university experience. The GDP is an essential and integral part of every academic course. In addition, UWE’s Career’s Service has a wealth of resources and experience to help you make a flying start to your career.
Supported Pathway to Teaching
This course contains within it a supported pathway for those interested in postgraduate study for teaching in Primary Education (5-11) or teaching adults e.g. in Adult Basic Skills and this will support you in making a strong application for a PGCE. Provided you achieve a good 2.1 degree, can demonstrate suitability for teaching and make an early application we will give you prior consideration for progression to available places on the PGCE Primary Education programme (5-11) or PGCE Post-Compulsory Education and Training programme at UWE.
For those interested specifically in teaching in the Early Years we recommend that you follow the single degree programme BA (Hons) Early Childhood.
For those of you interested in teaching in secondary schools you need to follow a degree programme with at least 50% of the programme focusing on a national curriculum subject before progressing to a PGCE Secondary programme.
Hear from past UWE students about how studying here has enhanced their career prospects and opened up new opportunities.
Entry
Typical offers
Entry requirements
Criminal Records Bureau clearance will be a requirement of modules in the programme that include a placement where the placement involves working with children and vulnerable adults.
For those considering this degree as a route into Primary teaching you would be recommended to have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in English Language (grade C), maths (grade C) and single or double science (grade C), plus normally grade B at A level or equivalent in a Primary National Curriculum Subject (Foundation and Core).
Fees
More information on fees
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011