Education Studies - Psychology

The course is mainly delivered through lectures and seminars. Lectures often present, explain and critically analyse theories and relevant issues, whereas smaller group seminars normally focus upon peer-assisted interaction for debate and discussion.

There may be some opportunity for study visits and/or fieldwork within specific modules.

A large amount of time is spent on independent study and reading around topics, developing your capacity for critical analysis, reflection and evaluation.

Independent study is supported by supervision, monitoring your development against learning outcomes.

Assessment

We promote diverse and creative forms of assessment so whilst many modules are assessed by essays, other modules may include portfolios, blogs, presentations or posters.

The 12,000-word dissertation is worth one-third of your final-year marks. As part of the process you will also submit a research proposal and sample chapter for feedback.

A level offer – AAB

Contextual offer – BBC

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD

IB Diploma score – 36 with 665 in higher level subjects.

Grade 5 (or grade B) or above in Mathematics at GCSE (or equivalent) is required.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. For more information or contact our Admissions Selectors.
• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications 

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.

Full-Time Study

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.

In deciding the annual level of increase, the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of:

• 6%, or
• the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.

Part-Time Study

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of part-time study and are charged proportionately to the Full-Time fee. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Our BA in Primary Education offers the opportunity to gain Qualified Teacher Status with most graduates progressing directly into teaching.

Graduates of the BA Education Studies suite of degrees move into a diverse range of roles including the wider children's workforce in welfare and social care related roles, education administration and business. The commercial and digital education sectors are growing internationally and our graduates are also attracted into these areas of activity. Some of our graduates undertake postgraduate teacher training courses (e.g. PGCE). Our Education Studies- Psychology graduates often move into teaching and psychology allied professions with the longer term intention of becoming educational psychologists. Some of our students choose further study, progressing to Masters or doctoral programmes and research.

Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:

• 95% in work or further study.

Of those in employment:

• 97% in highly or medium skilled employment.
• £28,000 is the average salary.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)

Develop your expertise and deepen your knowledge at one of the UK’s leading Schools of Education. Gain all the knowledge, skills and experience you’ll need to become a first-rate primary teacher or choose a multidisciplinary course that takes a broader look at the role of education in society.

Embark on an Education degree at Durham and experience our innovative research informed teaching and exceptional support. We offer courses for people who want to teach and for those with an interest in education in its broadest sense through academic studies in education.

The School of Education, Durham University offers a suite of undergraduate degrees linked to academic studies in Education. These include a single honours Bachelors degree in Education Studies and joint honours options. These allow students to develop specialism in Education studies with a partner subject. Current joint honours degree specialisms on offer are Education Studies - Geography; Education Studies - Sociology and Education Studies - Psychology (with the option of BPS accreditation). Students in our Education Studies suite of programmes can also tailor their degree by selecting optional modules from across the wider university.

Our undergraduate Bachelors degree in Primary Education (with QTS) combines an academic programme of study with practical preparation to become a teacher. The programme provides the tools and support you need to become an inspiring and outstanding teacher who will make a difference to the lives of pupils, both now and in the future.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 4th The Complete University Guide 2025

• 7th The Guardian University Guide 2025

• 1st The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see our department web pages.

Facilities

Located on the main campus at Lower Mountjoy, we are conveniently located near the main Bill Bryson library, the Teaching and Learning Centre and lots of other departments and University services.

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