BA (Hons) Education and Learning
Course Overview
This fascinating degree allows you to study a balanced combination of current educational policy and the history, sociology, philosophy and psychology of education. Taught by The Growth Company in Manchester, this BA (Hons) Education and Learning degree offers an excellent opportunity to explore in-depth some of the key current issues affecting education in the UK and abroad.Key themes in this course include critical and reflective thinking, equality and diversity. By thinking about how we learn consciously and subconsciously, we'll explore how formal learning, alongside acquired knowledge, shapes our lives, interests and value structures.
We also encourage you to research and analyse a range of educational practices and reflect on your own and others' experiences of education. This will help you think critically about learning and teaching, and how education is perceived and received.
You'll be well prepared for postgraduate studies when you complete this course successfully. Although the course doesn't lead directly to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you'll have first-hand experience in schools or other educational establishments to support your application for teacher training.
Highlights
- The Growth Company is a well-established partner of the University of Bolton, based in Manchester, focusing on business, early years, and initial teacher training courses.
- Small class sizes mean a more keenly focused attention on your learning needs and strategies for success.
- You'll be studying at an education provider known for its friendly atmosphere and get to learn alongside students from a variety of backgrounds, each with an individual and unique perspective on education.
- Our professional and approachable tutors will guide and support you throughout your course, offering attentive one-to-one support.
- Our emphasis on supporting you in developing study and critical thinking skills will help you prepare for postgraduate study.
- A link tutor provides academic communication between The Growth Company and the University of Bolton's academic school so that the experience you receive as an off-campus student is equivalent to that of an on-campus student.
- As an off-campus student, you'll also have access to the support of the University's dedicated Off-Campus team and resources to help make you truly feel part of the institution.
Key Features
- The programme is designed to help you gain some of the knowledge and experience required for direct entry to initial teacher education courses (QTS) or entry-level employment.
- You'll have the chance to take on a systematic and reflective study of education that's illustrated and informed by the diversity of teaching and learning approaches in different sub-sectors of education.
- You'll be able to take at least one placement opportunity in an educational setting, where you'll observe learning and teaching in progress and talk to teachers and students about their roles and experiences.
- Our teaching draws on your own learning experiences as a starting point for understanding the formal educational process. This means contributing to research and discussion through critical reflection on your own education and by listening to others' experiences.
- The Growth Company in Manchester offers excellent IT facilities, WiFi and well-appointed teaching, learning, and study areas.
- You'll also have access to the University's e-learning resources, an extensive e-library and the support of University librarians.
Entry Requirements
- 80 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Subjects relevant to the study of education are preferred.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
- Please note that if you intend to progress to an initial teacher education qualification (PGCE) in Primary teaching after completing this degree, you'll need GCSEs at grade C or above or grades 4 to 9 in English Language, Mathematics and Science. If you don't have these qualifications on entry to the BA (Hons) Education and Learning, you'll need to achieve these qualifications independently while you study towards the degree. Please be aware that the following Level 2 qualifications are not accepted for entry to a Primary PGCE: Adult Literacy, Adult Numeracy, Functional Skills, Key Skills in Application of Number, and Key Skills in Communication.
- If you don't possess A-levels and/or GCSEs and intend to progress to an initial teacher education qualification (PGCE), especially Primary, after completing this degree, we would strongly recommend contacting potential PGCE course providers to clarify what their entry requirements will be.
- You’ll be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
- This course is open to Home students only. Applications from International and EU students cannot usually be accepted because the study location for this course is not licenced by UKVI to sponsor students. Therefore, if you require sponsorship under the Student Visa Route to study in the UK, then, unfortunately, we'll be unable to consider your application for this course. Some EU students are eligible to study this course under the EU Settlement Scheme or Common Travel Area arrangement – for details, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students.
- Please visit www.gceducationandskills.ac.uk/higher-education/ to find out more about The Growth Company.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
On the BA (Hons) Education and Learning, you'll have the chance to develop specific knowledge and skills surrounding educational issues, theories of learning, equality and diversity, education policy and practice, creativity and education, and a general understanding of education in social, political and economic contexts.
In addition, as a graduate of this degree, you'll possess generic skills that are highly sought-after in a wide range of sectors. These can include communication skills, providing evidence-based written and spoken arguments, ICT, research and analytical skills, problem-solving and self-management.
What can I do with this qualification?
Achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through completion of a PGCE or equivalent postgraduate qualification is a popular route for education graduates. Or you may prefer to develop a deeper understanding with a master's course in education or a related social science in subjects such as educational management or global educational leadership. Ultimately, you might consider a PhD in an education-related subject.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some of these careers include:
- Education officer
- Family liaison
- Educational psychology
- Educational administration
- Educational writing
- Careers guidance
- Training and development
- Quality standards
- Community engagement
- Youth work
- Social work
- Play therapy
- Human resources
- Publishing
- Market and policy research
- Librarianship
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: The Growth Company BA (Hons) Education and Learning - 29 January 2025
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Partner Organisation Applicants
University of Bolton Group Partners
Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Bolton
For valued members of the University of Bolton Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible.
By selecting the link for your chosen course from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: The Growth Company BA (Hons) Education and Learning - 29 January 2025
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
Teaching & Assessment
Learning and teaching for this course are supported by blended learning using a combination of face-to-face sessions and online resources. We'll help you develop your research skills while you mould your own approach to individual learning and independent research. You'll also have lectures, seminars and group work to help you progress successfully.
Assessment tasks are linked to each module's intended learning outcomes, while course assignments are based on coursework – varying from academic essays to e-discussions, presentations and seminars. Assessment tasks involve research exercises and may require you to submit reflective journals and case studies. There are also reflective activities, such as Personal Development Planning (PDP), where using relevant theories and reflective tools will help you relate theory to practice.
All the while, we'll provide feedback on your written assignments during tutorials and following presentations. We encourage presentations in some modules so you can familiarise yourself with this important experience.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- BA Research and Study Skills
- Being A Teacher
- Inclusive Education
- Theory and Practice of Learning
- Creativity, Critical Thinking and Culture
- Pursuing Literacy and Numeracy
- Placement
- Globalisation
- Proposal
- Learners with Additional Needs
- Educational Issues, Developments and Policies
- Classroom Cultures
- Dissertation
- The Illusion of Inclusion
- Psychology of Education
- Philosophy of Education
- Educational Leadership
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 100% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 70% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 62% Placement/study abroad 8% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 30% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 74% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 26% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
