Course overview

This course poses challenging questions inspiring you to critically examine essential issues relating to education.

You'll be encouraged to explore what is meant by education and how it has changed over time, including its central place in the foundation of modern societies.

You'll examine what form education should take, who should make those decisions, and who will benefit.

You'll investigate how the media influences the portrayal of education and schooling, and whether the teacher still has a role to play in a society where Google knows more.

Download information about this course as a PDF

COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.

See our terms and conditions for more information

View our Frequently Asked Questions

Your course during COVID-19

Whilst things will not be the same when you join us in September, this course page is intended to give you insight into what to expect from your course and your learning experience for the duration of your degree.

We have updated all course information where there are specific changes in the first semester.

Facilities

Most of our student services are now available online. As COVID-19 restrictions lift, we'll be opening up our on-campus facilities as soon as it is safe to do so, so that you can get the best out of your studies.

Your learning experience

Your teaching will be a mixture of online and in-person on-campus teaching. In semester one, as a result of physical distancing requirements, all lecture materials will be delivered online along with many tutorials, workshops and labs.

Our aim, if Government guidance allows us, is to deliver up to three hours of labs, seminars and tutorial teaching in-person on campus where this is possible and safe to do so. We'll review this regularly and plan to return to full in-person, on-campus teaching in semester two if restrictions allow.

Assessment

In semester one, we will not be running face-to-face, on-campus examinations. We will instead use different approaches to assessment. These will test and support your learning.

Field trips

We will be running some but not all of our planned field trips. Some of those that do run, will be run virtually. For those that do not run, we will be offering alternative learning activities. These learning activities will give you the opportunity to achieve the same learning.

Terms and conditions and student complaints

The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.

Further information

Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University 2020 study experience.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.

Quality and ranking

• top 150 – Education category – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020
• top 200 – Education category – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2020
• top 20 in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2021

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

A ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You'll be introduced to the contested nature of education and the different conceptual frameworks we'll be using for explaining education – global, social, cultural, historical, political, philosophical, sociological, pedagogical and technological.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Education, Children and Society	20
International Development	20
The History of Education	20
Education in Developing Countries	20
Social Policy and Learning	20

You'll develop a more specialised and sustained engagement with areas of study such as learning theory, the broader discourses of education in popular culture and innovative technologies of learning.

You'll begin the first of the two major career development modules in either student tutoring, student volunteering through the Students’ Union, or learning from work.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Psychological perspectives on teaching and learning	20
Introduction to Research in Education	20
Globalisation and Development	20
Social Constructions of Childhood	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Gender and Education	20
Child Development and Speech and Language Acquisition	20
Career Development for second year students	20

The emphasis is on you obtaining a deep and critical awareness of specific aspects of education both in its national and international contexts.

You'll become more deeply aware of the importance of attention to detail, argument, criticality, ambiguity and complexity through modules relating to social justice, inclusive education and international development.

You'll also complete a research dissertation.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Research Dissertation	40
Philosophy of Education	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Responding to Special Educational Needs	20
Child Development	20
Adventures in Digital Learning	20
Career Development for final year students	20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Research-informed teaching and practice by leading academics and professional practitioners are central to the programme.

You'll learn through a combination of online lectures and in-person seminars. You also undertake a considerable amount of independent study. Our award-winning Library Service has a huge array of resources available to access online.

You'll draw on your existing knowledge of formal and informal educational settings as you explore issues relating to teaching and learning. You'll also consider how these would relate to other educational settings including classrooms and museums.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reports

Skills and experience

Research skills

You'll join a thriving research community and have the chance to conduct your own original research through a dissertation.

Business skills

You'll have the opportunity to select two career development modules to enhance your employability. You'll also undertake a research project which enables you to showcase your knowledge and expertise.

You'll develop key skills including communication, teamwork, personal enterprise, problem-solving, planning and organising, which are directly transferable to a wide range of graduate employment contexts.

These assist our graduates to find work in areas such as primary teaching, community and social work and education management.

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be based in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, which has a wide range of facilities for studying how people learn and communicate.

There's a well-equipped Education Resource Centre with excellent computing facilities.

We have two active Research Centres engaging with the latest thinking and research in education:

• Centre for Learning and Teaching (CfLAT), which researches teaching and learning in different contexts 
• SOLE Central, is a global hub for research into self-organised learning environments (SOLEs)

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

A degree in education from Newcastle shapes your development and understanding, demonstrating your capacity to work individually and as part of a team.

It also provides you with the transferable skills, including workload management, meeting deadlines, written and oral communication, IT, problem-solving and the critical analysis and interpretation of complex ideas and policies.

You may use this degree as a springboard for further postgraduate study at Newcastle (for example, Primary PGCE, International Development, Cross-Cultural Communication, International Education).

Alternatively, you may find work in fields as diverse as community or health work, human resource/education management, widening participation or rehabilitation programmes, environmental organisations, heritage sites, museum, theatre and library provision or information management (eg digital learning).

Employability at Newcastle

96% of Newcastle University graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating, with 85.5% in graduate-level employment or further study.

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

Make a difference

Sorry, you need JavaScript to view this video

Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2020 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£18000

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme).

The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• scholarships for students applying to study at our London campus
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages