Course outline
Course summary
Do you have an interest in education? Are you keen to study aspects of education without committing to becoming a teacher? Do you see education as a subject in its own right?
Well, we’ve designed our Education Studies programme so you can explore the nature, scope and purpose of education in formal and informal systems. You’ll study it from a national and global point of view, in vocational and non-vocational education and training and in lifelong learning.
Why Choose University of Cumbria?
We’ll support you to achieve success in the DipHE and there will be an opportunity to progress to the BA (Hons) programme. We’ll even help you with additional support for the skills test to give you the chance to move onto initial teacher training.
Practical experience sits at the heart of our course, so all the theory you learn in seminars will be backed up by work experience. Not only will this boost your confidence, it’ll bolster your CV.
- We have a strong partnership with educational providers and can help you to secure work experience as you study to enhance your job prospects
- You will study in small class groups, so we will get to know you well
- You will be allocated a personal tutor from the start of your studies, who will support and guide you
- Work-based placements will enhance your academic knowledge and boost your employability
- You’ll boost your professional and employability skills throughout your studies
- You’ll have the flexibility to follow and research your own interests
- Help to progress onto further studies such as the full BA (Hons) Education Studies
- You’ll be taught by tutors with education backgrounds to bring real-life experience into your learning
So, if you’re passionate about education, this is the perfect course for you.
This programme is for those who are interested in education, not necessarily in a school environment. The first year will introduce you to a number of different educational areas with the opportunity to gain work experience as you study. This work-based learning is a key aspect in enabling you to make links between theoretical aspects of learning with the more practical application within an educational setting.
Throughout the course we will provide support to develop your own employability skills, helping you to focus on your plans once you have graduated. Through the support of experienced tutors, who will take time to get to know you and properly explore options, you will be able to choose the right path to make the most of your studies at a professional level. Each year will provide opportunities to develop your research skills, and work-based learning will be negotiated with your personal tutor to match your needs.
The course will include modules around personal learning, academic discourses, educational policy and context, comparative education, educational environments, reflection, safeguarding, global childhoods, philosophy and the child development.
Modules
Year one
Compulsory Modules
- Professional Studies and Work-based Contexts
- Learning and Development
- Introduction to Safeguarding in Education
- Educational Environments
- An Introduction to the History and Sociology of Education
- Key Issues in Education Today
Year two
Compulsory Modules
- Professional Studies and Work-based Contexts 2
- Psychology of Education
- Educational Policy and Context
- Global Childhoods
- Education, Faith and Philosophy
- Planning an Enquiry
Programme Specification
Programme specification (PDF)
Programme specification
For a detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course.
Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods
Timetables
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements
- 72-88 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table
- GCSE English Language at grade 4/C or above.
- A Levels - BDD
- T Levels - P (D or E). All subjects are accepted however we recommend T Level Education and Childcare for entry to this course.
- Access to HE - 36 credits at Merit & 9 at Pass
- CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma - D-C.
- OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma - MMP
- Scottish Highers - CCDD - CCCC
- Irish LC Highers - B2x2, C3x3 - B2x3, C3
- Experience with Children is preferred but not required.
FITNESS TO PRACTISE
All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening. Further information will be provided following acceptance of an offer (and no earlier than three months before the course start date).
For more information about core competencies and medical fitness to train please click here.
In some instances, an applicant may be invited to attend a professional practice panel to discuss any recommended reasonable adjustments, and whether or not core professional competencies are achievable.
For information about Medical Clearance and vaccination requirements click here.
DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK
If you accept an offer of a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check. Details on the policy can be found here.
If you think you have a criminal conviction You will need to submit a Criminal Record Self Disclosure Form as part of the process For more information on this and the form itself, please refer to Self-disclosure of criminal record.
Fair Admissions
When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.
Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.
Selection Criteria
As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course; emphasise your areas of interest and reflect upon any experience you have gained. You should be an original thinker who is keen to bring your unique experience to the academic study of Education.
We are looking for passionate individuals who are keen to understand the wider context of Education; someone who excels at team work and has made positive contributions to their current enterprise or community.
Contextual Admissions
Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.
We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)
Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.
Returning to Education
If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.
Application information
Making your application
Full-time courses
Apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), between September and January; they will send your application on to us. Applications submitted after this date will be considered late and the course you have applied for might be full by this time; however, we will consider you for alternative suitable courses.
Their website www.ucas.com provides all the information you need about universities, courses, locations, entry requirements and financial support. You are allowed to select up to five course choices. You need to use the correct UCAS campus and course codes as not all courses are offered at every campus. You will be asked for the following information when you apply online:
Institution code name: UoC
Institution code: C99
Campus location:
- A Ambleside
- B Brampton Road, Carlisle
- E University of Cumbria at Energus, Workington
- F Fusehill Street, Carlisle
- L Lancaster
- T University of Cumbria in London
- Y University of Cumbria at Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness
Part-time courses
Applications should be made online directly to the university; visit our website or contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk for details and guidance. There is no official closing date but we would encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many courses are competitive.
What makes a good application?
We consider all aspects of your application, not simply your qualifications and grades. We look at your academic background and performance, relevant experience (particularly for professional courses where some voluntary or paid experience is required) and your reference. Above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential-evidence that you can benefit from study at higher education level.
Make sure you include:
- Relevant qualifications/evidence of ability: check our website for the specific entry requirements required for each course. Tell us your previous academic results and your projected grades.
- A supportive reference, from an employer or your school or college.
- A good personal statement.
- Explain clearly what attracts you to the course and tell us about your wider interests and experience. If you are applying for a course that incorporates professional training and placements, you should include any relevant experience or visits you have made in the workplace. Highlight your individual strengths and qualities, personal skills, capacity for teamwork, contribution to the community and your enterprise, originality and determination. Select some activities which bring out these qualities.
What next?
When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and if you are successful at this stage you will get either an offer (with an invitation to visit the campus to which you have applied), or an invitation to interview on a particular date. If we are not able to offer you a place on your chosen course we will usually try to offer you a place on a similar course and will contact you to discuss this. Alternatively, if we think you are suitable, but cannot offer you a place on your preferred campus because of the level of competition, we will offer you a place at another campus if one is available.
And if I accept?
The admissions team will contact you and send further information from February onwards about accommodation, and from May/June onwards about preparing to join the university. If you have any other queries, please telephone the admissions offices for information and advice on 0845 6061144.
Deferred entry
We welcome applications for deferred entry on some courses. If you have specific plans during your year out, indicate these on your personal statement as they may be relevant to your course and could enhance your application.
International students
Applications for full-time undergraduate study are made through UCAS. Please see the international pages of our website for full details of our entry requirements (including English-language skills) as well as contacts for advice and support.
From 2009 the UK Border Agency introduced a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) for students coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Students entering higher education will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) plus finance confirmation to obtain a Tier 4 student visa. UK education providers are licensed by the UK Border Agency. When students apply for their visa (or entry clearance) they will need a valid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies from the university. Please note that a CAS is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.