BA (Hons) Education

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Chichester

Program Overview

This broad-based degree helps you understand education from multiple perspectives — historical, cultural, social, and global — and prepares you to work in a variety of educational settings, not just in schools. It’s a great fit if you want flexibility in your career, whether that’s teaching, community education, policy, or further study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll explore foundational ideas in education through modules like Education, Philosophy and Thinking – Historical Perspectives, where you examine the development of educational systems and values over time, and Speech, Language and Communication, which looks at how children learn to communicate and how interventions can support diverse learners. You’ll also study Global Citizenship, where you connect education to global challenges and understand how education relates to worldwide development, and Forest School Principles and Practices, which introduces outdoor learning and experiential pedagogy.

Year 2

In year two, you continue building your understanding of education systems and settings through core modules and more specialised ones. You’ll engage in a Work-Based Placement, spending meaningful time in a school, community organisation, or youth setting to connect theory to practice. Other modules let you explore global educational perspectives, comparative education systems, and research in education, while deepening your understanding of learning and community contexts.

Year 3

In the final year, you take an Independent Project, where you design and carry out a research or practice-based study in an area of education that interests you. Optional modules might include Exploring Mathematical Thinking, Moral Issues in Education, Mental Health and Well‑Being, Special Educational Needs and Disability – Engaging All Learners, Early Education for Sustainability, or Education in Multi‑Ethnic Britain. You’ll also continue with a Work-Based Placement, giving you a real-world professional environment to apply your learning.

Focus areas

Philosophy of education, communication and language development, global citizenship, inclusive education, research in education, special needs and disability, moral and ethical issues, and community‑based learning.

Learning outcomes

By graduation, you’ll be able to critically analyse education systems, design inclusive interventions for diverse learners, lead projects in educational or community settings, and conduct independent research. You’ll also have practical experience through placements, making you ready for careers in education, youth work, policy, or further academic study.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The course includes two work‑based placements (in year two and year three), giving you hands-on experience in school or community settings. This practical exposure helps you build professional skills and networks, whether you aim to go into teaching, social care, educational policy, or developmental roles.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Chichester’s Education department is highly regarded: its BA (Hons) Education course has strong graduate prospects, and the university is ranked among the top for education in major UK university guides. The course’s emphasis on real-world experience, community engagement, and ethical reflection makes graduates attractive to a wide range of employers in the education sector.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you study BA (Hons) Education at Chichester, you go beyond theory and actively connect educational concepts with real-world settings. You’ll engage in placements, community projects, and collaborative learning to see education from different perspectives.

Here’s how the practical learning is structured:

Work-based placements in Years 2 & 3: Spend time working in educational settings—schools (primary, secondary), early years centres, or creative environments such as museums or theatres.
Real-world educational projects: Collaborate with local schools and community organisations to explore educational issues, design inclusive interventions, or run learning initiatives.
Outdoor and alternative learning experiences: Modules like “forest school” and “beach school” teach inclusive learning outside traditional classrooms.
Guest lectures & expert engagement: Experienced lecturers and guest speakers bring current educational debates, inclusion issues, and policy insights into your learning.
Independent research: Complete a final-year project exploring a topic that interests you, from equity in education to global education policy.
Varied assessment methods: Assessment includes essays, presentations, lesson plan design, curriculum development, and reflective portfolios linking theory to placement work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the University of Chichester’s BA (Hons) Education programme gain a broad and flexible understanding of education, preparing them for roles in schools, community organisations, youth work, or education policy. Career paths include: Education Practitioner, Educational Consultant, Community Learning Facilitator, Youth Worker, or positions in non-profit or public-sector organisations with an educational focus. Many students also go on to qualify as teachers through a PGCE.

Why This Programme Stands Out:

Comprehensive Understanding of Education — You explore education in various contexts (local, national, and global), learning about social justice, contemporary issues, and evolving education systems.
Strong Placement Opportunities — In Years 2 and 3, you complete work-based placements in primary and secondary schools, early years settings, museums, theatres, and community organisations, gaining practical experience.
Flexible Curriculum with Optional Specialisms — Core modules include childhood development, moral and philosophical perspectives, and education theory, while optional modules cover areas like special educational needs, international education, or disability studies.
Innovative Learning Experiences — The programme includes hands-on learning such as forest school, outdoor education, field trips, and project-based learning with guest lecturers.
Excellent Support & Resources — Students have access to a well-equipped learning resource centre, a large library, subject librarians, and a supportive community of staff and peers.
Assessment & Teaching Variety — Assessment methods include essays, presentations, lesson plans, curriculum packs, and a major independent project. Teaching approaches combine lectures, workshops, practical sessions, group discussions, and outdoor learning.
Strong Graduate Prospects — The course is recognised for producing graduates with strong employability in education-related roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BA (Hons) Education, students can:

Apply for a PGCE to become a trained teacher in primary, secondary, or special education.
Pursue a Master’s degree (e.g., MA Education, Inclusive Education, or a specialised area) to deepen expertise.
Continue into MRes or PhD-level research in education policy, inclusion, or learning development.