BA Hons Education Studies with Psychology

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

De Montfort University

Program Overview

This degree brings together the study of education (how people learn, how teaching and learning contexts work) with psychology (how we think, behave, develop and learn). It’s ideal for students who are curious about both how learning happens (in schools, workplaces or communities) and why it happens from a psychological perspective — giving you a broad base for roles in education, youth work, training, or further study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year you’ll begin with foundational modules in both education and psychology. You’ll study introductory topics like Historical and Contemporary Issues in Education and Core Areas of Psychology (for example developmental, cognitive, social). You’ll start to explore how learning environments and psychological processes connect, and you’ll engage in placement or real-world observations in educational settings.

Year 2:
The second year builds your deeper knowledge and skills: you’ll encounter modules such as Contemporary Cultural Perspectives on Education alongside psychology modules like Developmental Psychology or Psychology and Education. You’ll look at how people learn across life-stages, how educational policy and context influence learning, and how psychological theory supports effective teaching and learning. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose optional topics and engage more with applied work or field trips.

Final Year (Year 3):
In your final year you’ll specialise and apply what you’ve learned in a major project or dissertation combining education and psychology perspectives. Modules could include Employability Skills and Psychology or Reflection on Practice: Teaching and Learning in a Psychological Context, along with options in advanced psychology or education theory. You’ll synthesise your understanding and produce substantial independent work, preparing you for the workforce or postgraduate study.

Focus Areas:
Education theory and practice, learning across contexts, psychological development and processes, inclusion & diversity in learning, research methods in psychology and education, applied psychology for learning settings.

Learning Outcomes:
You will graduate able to analyse how learners develop psychologically and how learning contexts (schools, communities, workplaces) influence that development; design, evaluate or support learning experiences with an awareness of psychological insight and inclusive pedagogy; conduct research or professional practice drawing on both education and psychology theory; and adapt your skills for a range of roles including education support, youth work, training, or further study in psychology or education.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
While this programme does not typically lead directly to teaching qualification (such as QTS in England) or full accreditation by the British Psychological Society (unless specifically designated), it offers a strong foundation in both disciplines that can lead into teaching training, educational support roles, counselling, youth work, or postgraduate psychology and education pathways.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
The combined strength of education and psychology means graduates are attractive to employers who value understanding of both how people learn and how people develop psychologically. Universities that offer this type of combined programme emphasise applied learning (placements, real-world observations, work experience), strong links with schools and educational organisations, and robust research in both fields — all of which support good employability outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the BA (Hons) Education Studies with Psychology, you won’t just study the theories of how people learn and develop—you’ll actively apply them in real educational settings, engage with psychological research methods, and reflect on how learning operates across diverse contexts. From early placement opportunities to hands-on research projects and use of specialist labs, you’ll build both practical and intellectual skills.
Here’s how the experience typically unfolds:

Early placement modules in educational-settings: You’ll begin working in schools, community‐learning environments or other educational organisations early in your course, applying what you’re learning around development, learning behaviour and inclusion.
Field trips, observation and real practice: Many modules embed observational work in educational contexts, helping you see first‐hand how psychological factors (learning, motivation, memory, social influences) play out in classrooms, inclusive settings or with diverse learners.
Use of psychology and research labs / facilities: You’ll use specialist equipment and software related to psychology (for example observing learning behaviour, analysing data, video analysis, digital tools), and use this to inform educational practice.
Collaborative and project‐based learning: You’ll work in groups to design learning interventions, psychology‐informed educational activities, inclusive learning strategies and then evaluate outcomes—so you build teamwork, planning and communication skills as well as subject-knowledge.
Research methods and data work: You’ll learn how to design surveys or experiments, collect and analyse data, reflect on findings, and link them to education and psychology theory—so you’re not just absorbing facts but doing inquiry.
Focus on inclusive learning and whole-person development: Many modules and placement experiences emphasise special educational needs, diverse learning communities, social/emotional development and psychology of learning—so you understand the real-world challenges in education and how to respond.
Mentoring and reflection on practice: Throughout placements and projects you’ll receive guidance from tutors or practitioner mentors, reflect on your own professional development, and build confidence to operate in educational or psychological roles.

These embedded experiences prepare you not just with theoretical understanding, but with practical capability, readiness to work with learners, understanding of the psychological underpinnings of education, and capacity to reflect and adapt in real settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Education Studies with Psychology at De Montfort University (DMU) gain a deep understanding of how people learn, think, and behave—skills that are highly valued across education, social care, and mental health sectors. This interdisciplinary degree prepares students for roles that combine educational insight with psychological understanding, making them versatile professionals in a wide range of settings.

Typical career paths include:

Educational Psychologist Assistant
Learning Support or Inclusion Officer
Youth or Family Support Worker
Human Resources or Training Specialist

DMU ensures students graduate career-ready through:

The DMU Works careers programme, which offers guaranteed access to professional experience, career mentoring, and networking with employers in education and psychology-related fields.
95% of DMU graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months of graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).
Opportunities for hands-on experience through placements in schools, community organisations, and educational support services.
Strong university-industry partnerships, including collaborations with local councils, education providers, and charities that enhance employability and real-world learning.
A degree backed by academic excellence and professional relevance, giving long-term value whether students choose to work in education, counselling, or organisational development.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may pursue a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), or progress to postgraduate study such as an MSc in Psychology, MA in Education Practice, or MSc in Educational Psychology (with appropriate accreditation). These advanced pathways enable specialisation in teaching, counselling, research, or educational leadership roles.