The BA (Hons) Education course has been designed and developed as a final ‘top-up’ year progression route for work-based students who have completed a Foundation Degree in Education.
If you are a member of support staff such as a teaching assistant or a volunteer in an educational setting and are engaged in work with children and young people, then this course could be for you. The aim of the course is to deepen your professional understanding and knowledge through academic study as a reflective practitioner. Attendance is four hours per week from September to July.
Educators working with older and professional learners may also wish to consider our BA Top-Up Post-Compulsory Education and Training Course: Education (with Post-Compulsory Education and Training) (Top-up) - Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk)
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Education
Course content
Modules
The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.
Changes And Developments In Education
The module will include study of the following topics, which will include generic considerations of theory and application to the specific work contexts in which participants are involved: This will include: Historical perspectives of education in your country;Consideration of issues including the purpose of education, inclusion and social mobility;Key reports, policies and legislation shaping education in England;Key drivers influencing education policy and practice. The purpose of this module is to provide you with historical and current perspectives on how, and why education policy and provision has changed over time. You will use and apply this critical understanding to a chosen aspect of educational policy, including a critical evaluation of your current educational settings provision and practice. Throughout the module you will develop an understanding of the key legislation shaping education in your country and be able to identify issues likely to impact on educational provision in the future. This will be outlined in terms of governmental change, economic pressures and changes within society(Optional module to gain BA (Hons) Education degree)This module will gain you 20 credits at level 6 towards the full 120 credits for the BA (Hons) Education degree.
Module code: EDUC60637
Individual Study Project
Individual Research ProjectThe module provides an opportunity for participants to engage in a small scale research project. The content of the project will be determined by the selection of the topic to be studied and the framing of the research questions. The choice of topic and research questions will be guided by the module tutor in response to the student's identification of issues relevant to their current practice and interests.This module will gain you 40 credits at level 6 towards the full 240 credits for the BA (Hons) Education and BA Education (Hons) ( Early Years) degree
Module code: EDUC60640
Doing Education Differently
Sessions will be both face to face as well as online with your tutor additional online support opportunities available. Sessions will provide you with a broad theoretical overview and the conceptual frameworks which underpin the study of comparative education. Additionally, sessions will highlight key features of education systems throughout the world, such as outdoor learning approaches. This does not preclude independent study of countries not covered within class time. Incorporated into webinars, tutorial support activities will provide you with the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills to apply the underpinning theories to an examination of your own practice, in preparation for the assignment.This module will also provide opportunities for you to:- work with others;- develop interpersonal skills;- demonstrate the capacity to plan, share goals, and work as a member of a team;- engage in group discussions with others and communicate both oral and written arguments-develop skills that enable you to transfer knowledge and understanding from one context to another.This module will gain you 20 credits at level 6 towards the full 120 credits for the BA (Hons) Education and BA Education (Hons) (Early Years) degree
Module code: EDUC60639
The Reflective Practitioner
This module enables you to reflect upon your work-based development throughout your course. The course VLE will be used extensively which will guide your reflections upon work-based learning. This module will cover the following topics:- A proposal for your individual research project- Reflections on your professional learning and development and effectiveness of workplace practice.
Module code: EDUC60638
Location
You will study at Burton and South Derbyshire College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.
Burton and South Derbyshire College is a great place to learn. There’s a real buzz here; inspiring teachers, engaged learners, fantastic state of the art facilities and career-boosting links with leading businesses.
Burton and South Derbyshire College website
Entry requirements
The course has been designed for those with an appropriate Foundation Degree in Education or similar. Applications will be considered from students with at least 240 credits, of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5 from a relevant course.
For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.
Choose your country
Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.
Careers
You will be provided with opportunities to prepare you for employment.
Our graduates work in a range of careers in educational settings, children’s centres, care and family support, educational administration and management, play work and learning support. Many enter teaching through PGCE, Schools Direct, Schools Direct salaried and School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) routes.
Others have progressed to postgraduate study, such as Early Years Teacher, and Masters programmes.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies. You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.
Assessment
Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor. These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments, and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Feedback
You will normally receive feedback on formal coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats, including one-to-one discussions with your tutor. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.
Fees
For the course starting on 15 September 2025 the tuition fees are:
Tuition fees for BA (Hons)-Full-time, long top-up
| Study option |
UK / Channel Islands |
| Full-time |
£6,350 per year of study |
UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.
**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.
Apply
| Location |
Award |
Study option |
Start date |
Apply Link |
| Burton and South Derbyshire College |
BA (Hons) |
Full-time, long top-up |
15 September 2025 |
Apply now
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