Contemporary Education BA

About the Course

Download course brochure (PDF)

This degree is a response to the changing and evolving nature of education in the broadest sense of the word. If you share our belief that creativity, culture and education are inextricably linked, this is the programme for you. It is appropriate for those contemplating a career in education professions, as a basis for counselling, education psychology, social services, LEA officers, social work, administration and education management, as well as for teaching.

The programme will equip you with a depth of understanding about the role of education in a diverse society, both within and beyond the UK. It is a forward-looking programme, designed for changing times and for people who will be making the decisions in the years to come.

Aims

The programme aims to enable students to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills of contemporary educational theory, policy and practice; develop a range of transferable skills (eg critical reflection, systematic analysis, communication, collaboration, presentation and writing); and enable students to develop key skills of lifelong learning and prepare them for further professional and academic qualifications and/or a range of education-related careers.

If you are considering teaching, you will need to complement your degree with a one-year PGCert (PGCE): successful completion of the BA Contemporary Education offers an opportunity to be considered for Brunel’s highly regarded PGCert Primary programme, provided you meet current government requirements and University entry criteria.

Enquiries

For more information on this course please contact:

Nic Crowe, Admissions Tutor
Email sse-ugcourses@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 267146

Special Features

How will we guide and support you?

As a student at Brunel, you will be guided and supported from the admissions stage onwards. On entry to the School, you will be given a personal tutor who is available to give advice about any matter within their capacity. They will also point you in the right direction should you need more specialist help, for example, medical attention, counselling, dyslexia support. The tutor-tutee relationship will last for the period of your degree course. Hence, on completion of your degree there will be a member of staff ideally placed to write an academic and character reference for you.

Who will deliver the course?

Education staff members have a high reputation for scholarship and are well known nationally and internationally for their research. Staff members regularly attend and present papers at national and international conferences, write leading articles and textbooks in their field, are examiners for other universities and act as consultants for a range of education-related organisations.

Course Content

Are you interested in examining the education system and exploring the theories of how people learn throughout their lifespan? If so, we open up the world to give you a greater understanding of education.

The programme will equip you with a depth of understanding about the role of education in a diverse society, both within and beyond the UK. It is a forward-looking programme, designed for changing times and for people who will be making the decisions in the years to come.
If you are considering teaching, you will need to complement your degree with a one-year PGCert (PGCE): successful completion of the BA Contemporary Education offers an opportunity to be considered for Brunel’s highly regarded PGCert Primary programme, provided you meet current government requirements and University entry criteria.

Level 1

• Understanding Learning
• Human Development: Childhood to Adolescence 1
• Education and Society
• Multi-disciplinary Perspectives
• Study Skills and Methods of Enquiry
• Working in Educational Settings

Level 2

• Living and Learning in Different Communities: Cultural Perspectives and Comparisons
• Human Development: Childhood to Adolescence 2
• Individual and Group Learning in Informal Environments
• Multi Disciplinary Perspectives 2
• Research Methods
• Exploring Educational Environments

Level 3

• Growing Up in Twenty First Century Britain
• Education in Formal Contexts
• Education in Informal Contexts
• Research in Educational Contexts
• Research Project

Teaching and Learning

Your progress will be assessed in a variety of ways. Assessment procedures include individual and group project work, essays, oral presentations, report writing and class-based tests.

You will be taught through various methods such as lectures, tutorials, workshops and seminars, independent learning and research project activities. Your progress will be assessed in a variety of ways. Assessment procedures include individual and group project work, essays, oral presentations, report writing and class-based tests.

Lectures

Lectures take place in our dedicated lecture centre. They aim to provide students with core material and concepts and a framework for independent study. Students will be expected to complete directed reading tasks prior to, and to takes notes during, lectures in order to maximise learning opportunities.

Seminars

Seminars will form an integral part of the teaching process; they will be used to promote discussion and group work. They will involve interactive learning experiences and help to develop your knowledge and understanding of subject matter, encourage an appreciation of alternative perspectives and viewpoints and develop effective communication skills.

Tutorials

All members of academic staff are available to discuss academic matters. Tutorials will involve one-to-one or small group interactions, focussing on individual concerns and development as well as support for projects, work-based experience and other learning and teaching issues.

Independent learning and research project activities

You will be involved in personal development of your study skills, research-related skills and critical thinking. All students will engage in directed reading, reflective exercises and preparation for work-based experience, planning and assessments.

Work-based experience

Work-based experience is designed to provide you with opportunities to apply and enhance your learning and research skills in professional settings. You will undertake a range of directed tasks and research activities at each level of study.

Assessment

Your progress will be assessed in a variety of ways. Assessment procedures include individual and group project work, essays, oral presentations, report writing, class-based tests and written examinations at Level 1 and Level 3.

Employability

Brunel has always placed great emphasis on developing graduates who can innovate, and who can add value to society through their industry. Brunel students become the kind of graduates who employers want to recruit, and as a result they currently enjoy the 13th highest starting salaries in the UK. This success is down to several factors:

• Combining academic study with work experience
• Creative and forward-looking subjects
• An award-winning careers service
• Working while they study
• The entrepreneurial spirit

Careers

Brunel Contemporary Education graduates will enjoy careers in fields such as:  Education Administration, After-School Programme Co-ordinators, Early Years Education, Informal Education, Education Welfare, Continuing Professional Development Coordinators, Business Trainers and Primary Teachers.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time; £6,750 part-time

International students: £12,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level BBB, including a social science subject.
• Irish Leaving Certificate BBBBB.
• Scottish Advanced Highers BBB.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade B in Society, Health and Development, Retail Business, Sport and Active Leisure, Travel and Tourism or Public Services, plus an A-level at grade C in a science or social science subject for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDD in a related subject.
• IBDP 32 points.
• Access Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 with Merits in all units. 
  

For all of the above, 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above are also required, to include English, Mathematics and Science (please note these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.