Education Studies - Psychology X1C8 September 2025

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Typical offers

Typical offers
A Level	AAB
BTEC	DDD
International Baccalaureate	36

Course details

Are you interested in why people think and learn in different ways? Would you like to know more about the workings of the mind and how that may impact a person’s potential to learn?

The BA Education Studies – Psychology is an ideal qualification if you are fascinated by the psychological aspects of the learning process and want to keep your career options open. You will also be eligible to receive professional accreditation from the British Psychological Society.

From the philosophical foundations of schooling to the political implications of policy, education is a vast field that has multiple avenues to approach a seemingly straightforward subject. Our degree goes far beyond any classroom and considers education, people and their relationship to the ever-changing world.

The curriculum draws on research carried out in the Department to keep the course content relevant and up to date. The breadth of modules allows you to create your own pathway through the course. As well as the psychology pathway, we offer pathways in sociology and geography, or you can choose to focus purely on education studies.

This BA will prepare you for a career in many different areas, both in the education sector and further afield. It can provide the first step towards a career as a teacher or researcher, and supports roles in publishing, policy making, the voluntary and public sectors, as well as many more.

Course structure

Year 1

Core modules:

Introduction to Psychological Research begins to look at the key research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology, from the design of psychological study to data collection and analysis.

Contemporary Issues and Evidence in Education introduces you to a range of contemporary issues in education and the nature and scope of the supporting evidence. With a range of guest speakers from across the Department you will gain a grounding in a variety of issues at stake.

Foundations of Psychology in Education serves as a basis for a scientific understanding of psychological principles, processes and theories in education.

You will also study an Introduction to Psychological Research focusing on a particular area of psychology. You can choose between two areas, either Cognitive and Biological or Developmental and Social.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

Disability and Educational Needs: What’s so ‘Special’ about SEND?
Historical and Philosophical Ideas of Education
International and Comparative Education

Year 2

Core modules:

Educational Research Methods will help you understand the purposes and implications of educational research. You will develop a critical appreciation of the different ways in which research can be carried out in education, and how to assess the quality of educational research.

Social and Developmental Psychology develops a broad knowledge and understanding of research and theory in some of the key areas of developmental psychology such as language, play and friendships. It also covers key areas of social psychology, such as studies of groups, group processes and intergroup relations.

Cognitive and Biological Psychology explores different approaches to cognitive and biological psychology, with particular emphasis on visual neuroscience and visual cognition. It covers areas such as memory, decision-making and attention as well as perception of colour, form, motion and depth.

Advanced Psychological Research develops your experimental design and statistics knowledge to fulfil the requirements for a BPS-recognised degree in Psychology. In this module you will discuss psychological research in a tutorial context and develop skills in studying classic papers in psychology.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

Cultural Identity, Interculturality and Education
Learning and Development in Childhood
Higher Education: Issues of Exclusion and Inclusion
Constructions of Childhood
Assessing Education
Learning Lives
Disability and Education Needs: Impairment, Empowerment and Education

Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad)

Core modules:

Dissertation: Disciplinary Contexts of Education - you will undertake an extended, independent piece of research with an appropriate educational focus. The dissertation is an opportunity to bring together the skills, knowledge and understanding gained on the course into one in-depth piece of work.

Differential and Clinical Psychology develops your knowledge and understanding of theory and research in differential psychology, the study of psychological differences and similarities between people and understanding of theory and research in atypical and clinical psychology.

Psychology Project draws on the skills and knowledge developed through the course. You will work as a pair or a small group to carry out an investigation in psychology. You will formulate a research question, investigate and analyse the issue and interpret the results before writing up an individual 4,500-word project report.

In recent years, optional modules have included:

Education in a Global Age
Digital Society Theory and Practice
Science of Learning
Education, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Understanding the Arts in Education
The Social Life of Education
Digital Society Theory and Practice
Evidence and Educational Policy

Additional pathways

Students on the BA Education Studies – Psychology can apply to be transferred onto either the ‘with Year Abroad’ or ‘with Placement’ pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.

Placement

You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.

Accreditation

British Psychological Society

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Fees and funding

Full Time Fees

Tuition fees
Home students	£9,250 per year
EU students	£26,500 per year
Island students	£9,250 per year
International students	£26,500 per year

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 and are 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.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.

Find out more about Scholarships and Bursaries

Department information

Education, School of

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 join us in a first-class experience which combines innovative teaching and exceptional support with a learning experience informed by the highest quality research. We offer courses for people who want to teach and for those who want to develop a broader background in education. Working together we can shape the education of the future.

Our BA in Primary Education 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.

We also offer a BA in Education Studies, which includes specialist pathway options in Geography, Psychology or Sociology. These broad, multidisciplinary degrees consider education, people and their function in the world. In addition to education-specific learning you have the option to choose modules from across the wider university to extend the breadth and depth of your experience.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

World Top 100 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2023

5th in The Complete University Guide 2024

Top 10 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the School of Education pages

Research Excellence Framework

2nd for Outstanding Research in Education (REF 2021).

Facilities

The School of Education is a diverse, inclusive and vibrant community of almost 100 staff and more than 900 students. Located on the main campus at Lower Mountjoy, we are conveniently located near the main library and lots of other departments and university services.

Central to our teaching qualifications is the partnership between the University and schools in the area. We work with a diverse network of schools covering a wide geographical area, and if you choose a teaching qualification you will spend some of your time based in a school developing your professional skills to inspire the next generation.