Overview
The Education BA at Brunel offers you the opportunity to combine the study of education with professional practice to give you a pathway into a range of education professions and postgraduate professional study including teacher education.
Whether you are looking to explore education related fields – such as counselling, educational psychology, social services, local authority work, social work, administration and education management – or you already know you want to teach, Brunel’s Education BA will give you a strong foundation from which to build.
The course will equip you with a broad and balanced view of educational theory, policy, and practice within a range of educational contexts. You will also have numerous opportunities to develop a range of transferable skills such as critical reflection, systematic analysis, communication, collaboration, presentation and writing skills.
When it comes to professional practice, the Education BA includes three integrated work placements to give you the opportunity to explore different educational settings. To help you manage your time, you can do your placement experience weekly or in a block over the holidays.
If it’s teaching experience you’re seeking, Brunel’s network of partner schools is diverse and well-established which means you can gain highly valued teaching experience in vibrant multi-cultural schools where you will be fully supported by a Brunel tutor.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
The Brunel Education BA aims to equip you with a broad and balanced view of educational theory, policy and practice within a range of educational contexts.
In each year of the course, you will study a set of compulsory modules and undertake an integral placement to help you put what you learn into practice in a variety of educational settings.
The course is structured around three broad learning strands that run through each year:
- Education, culture and society
- Educational theory and development
- Professional skills and practice
Compulsory
- ED1709 - Understanding Concepts in Education
This study block aims to enable you to develop an ability to reflect critically on some of the more important theories and contributions to an understanding of what it means to be educated, and to develop an understanding of the nature and processes of learning and their relevance to both educational practice and your own learning development.
- ED1710 - Issues and Perspectives in Education
This study block aims to enable you to recognise varied roles, responsibilities and organisational cultures of the professionals who work with children, young people and their families e.g. within education, health and social services, and to gain awareness of the various frameworks that define and regulate education-based work with children, adults and young people. It aims to develop awareness of potential boundaries and issues associated with accountability within and across disciplines and approaches to Education Practice, and to identify government policy and legislation on childhood and youth issues e.g. inclusion, equal opportunity, child poverty, youth justice, mental health and child protection.
- ED1711 - Human Development
This study block aims to enable you to understand theories and research related to human development, to develop the ability to critically evaluate research and practice, and to demonstrate an understanding and awareness of research methods used to study child and youth development.
- ED1712 - Education and Society
This study block aims to enable you to develop an understanding of the structure and provision of education in the UK and key historical development to the current day, to develop an understanding of role played by education policy and educational institutions in cultural change, and to develop your ability to critically examine issues and debates.
- ED1713 - Study Skills and Methods of Enquiry
This study block aims to give you a sound knowledge of the study skills required for undertaking an Education degree, and to give you a sound knowledge of undertaking a research project in education.
- ED1714 - Education Work Placements 1
This study block aims to help you understand how the major disciplines of education impact upon professional communities, to provide opportunities to link the knowledge, understanding and skills gained on the course within a work-based setting, to develop autonomy and initiative, and work effectively as a member of a professional team, and to help gain experience of the working environment and assess career opportunities available.
Compulsory
- ED2707 - The Social Study of Children and Young People
This study block focuses on the social study of childhood and aims to enable you to demonstrate an understanding of the contribution of sociological frameworks in relation to understanding childhood, to demonstrate an understanding of a range of education issues that that impact on childhood, and to develop the ability to critically evaluate theories of childhood.
- ED2708 - Research Methods
This module aims to help you to recognise and understand the logic, structure and stages of empirically based educational research. You will experience and reflect upon the practice of specific research techniques used in educational research.
- ED2709 - Education Work Placements 2
This study block aims to provide you with an opportunity to establish links between education research theory and practice, to explore how educational disciplines can apply within a range of educational contexts, to generate work-based issues in preparation for Level 3 placement and the Research Project, and to explore employment opportunities within placement organisations.
- ED2710 - Educational Spaces
This study block aims to help you to develop an understanding of the contrasting range of education arenas – including formal, non formal and informal, to develop an understanding of the nature of learning that takes place outside dedicated learning environments, and to develop an understanding of informal and non-formal learning initiatives, arrangements and practices.
- ED2711 - Education in Literature and the Media
This study block aims to help you to demonstrate an understanding of the different ways in which writers in literary texts have represented education over time, to demonstrate an understanding of how writers for the screen (both film and television) have represented education over time, to demonstrate an understanding of how education is portrayed in the contemporary news media, and to develop students’ ability critically to evaluate the ways in which views of education are constructed through works of literature and the media.
- ED2714 - Educational Practices and the Early Years
This study block aims to develop your understanding of the foundation years of education by exploring how philosophical, psychological and sociological perspectives inform early years practice. It seeks to equip you with the skills to critically engage with research, policy and contemporary issues affecting the sector, while encouraging you to make meaningful links between theory and your own placement experiences. Through this, you will strengthen your ability to analyse practice, reflect professionally, and contribute to high-quality provision for young children and their families.
Compulsory
- ED3700 - Growing Up in 21st Century Britain
This study block aims to enable you to critically review current debates in the field of children and young people, childhood and youth, to develop an understanding of cultures of children and young people, childhood and youth, and to develop an understanding of the issues associated with growing up in Britain in the 21st Century.
- ED3701 - Education in Different Contexts
This study block helps you to develop a cross-cultural and international understanding of education. It covers educational activities in a range of contexts – formal/informal, global north/global south – to provide you with a rounded understanding of how education is understood and practiced in different settings. It further develops an understanding of theories of curriculum design and educational change as well as theories and concepts of learning in diverse geographical and historical contexts.
- ED3702 - Educational Work Placements 3
This study block aims to provide you with an opportunity to apply and transfer knowledge between education research theory and practice, to apply these disciplines within a range of educational contexts, to produce a research report relevant to the needs of local employers, and to explore employment opportunities within placement organisations for preparation on graduation.
- ED3607 - Education and Research 3 – Dissertation
The dissertation aims to enable you to advance your knowledge, skills and understanding of the process of research though in an educational environment, and to develop your ability to define a viable research question, manage research in a workplace context, analyse and critically discuss findings.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Careers and your future
Our Education BA offers you a pathway into employment in a range of educational-related fields either on graduation or via further professional study such as Schools Direct, Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Post Graduate Diploma Youth and Community (PGDipYCW).
As an Education BA graduate career options include education administration, after-school programme co-ordination, early years education, and informal education, education welfare, continuing professional development co-ordination, business training, and primary school teaching.
Brunel Education BA graduates are top UK earners. On average, Brunel Education alumni earn £35,400 five years after graduating compared to a £24,700 average for Education graduates across the university sector (Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)).
UK entry requirements
2026/7 entry
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
A minimum of five GCSEs are required, including GCSE English Language (grade C/4) or GCSE English Literature (grade B/5)
Standard Offer: GCE A level BBB
Contextual Offer: GCE A level CCC
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma DDM in any subject
Contextual Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma DMM in any subject
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Diploma DM in any subject and an A Level grade B
Contextual Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Diploma MM in any subject and an A Level grade C
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Merit in any subject, with A level grades BB
Contextual Offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Merit in any subject, with A level grades CC
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4
Contextual Offer: International Baccalaureate Diploma 27 points. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Standard Offer: Obtain a minimum of 120 tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3 in any subject
Contextual Offer: Obtain a minimum of 96 tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3 in any subject
We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who meet one or more of our contextual markers – please see our contextual admissions page for more information.
Merit overall in any subject
If your qualification isn't listed above, please contact the Admissions Office by emailing admissions@brunel.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1895 265265 to check whether it's accepted and to find out what a typical offer might be.
Brunel's committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We'll fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants, as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/27 entry
UK
£9,790 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£17,400 full-time
£1,385 placement year
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,535 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy.
For the 2026/27 academic year, tuition fees for home students will be £9,790, subject to Parliamentary approval.
In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap. The Government has confirmed that this will be £9,790 for 2026/27 and £10,050 for 2027/28 (subject to Parliamentary approval).
From 2028 onwards, the fee cap is expected to rise annually in line with inflation. This means your tuition fees in future years may increase to reflect these changes.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Assessments vary between modules and typically include critical assignments, reflective reports, portfolios, student presentations and posters (group and individual) and placement portfolios. Most modules incorporate both a written and presentation element.
At the end of your course, you will complete a dissertation in an education topic of your choice under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.