BA (Hons) Education Studies (with Foundation Year) · NorthamptonBachelor's degree · 4 years
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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Education Studies (with Foundation Year) Bachelor's degree at Northampton

BA (Hons) Education Studies (with Foundation Year) at Northampton. You'll study core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills.

BA (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
85%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Explore key issues in education and understand how people learn, with the University of Northampton’s Education Studies BA degree. Apply now! From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Education Studies (with Foundation Year) is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.

For Education graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Education & Teaching, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

9.1
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional94

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent85

Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional93

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 93% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 8 modules
  • School: Past, Present and FutureCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    enables students to synthesise their previous school experiences with recent and contemporary education changes to develop a proposal for an improved School System in England, to reflect upon academic performance, and so enhance their graduate employability

  • Understanding EducationCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    The module supports the transition into Higher Education, providing opportunities for personal, professional and academic development. Students will explore the concept of Education Studies and provides opportunities for discussion and exploration of key themes and phenomena

  • Educational LandscapesCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    This module develops students appreciation of what six subject disciplines can offer to the study of education, and their contribution to education systems to nurture a multi-disciplinary approach to educational issues, problems and concerns

  • Childhood through TimeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to examine changing constructs and identities of the nature of childhood through time, from Medieval to Modern eras, including living memory and their own recent and current experiences

  • Learning Re-imagined: disruptive and inclusive curriculumCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to encourage students to interrogate how the curriculum might support or undermine presence, participation and achievement. Students will be enabled to develop their understanding of disruptive and inclusive curricula and why and how these matter in the context of a diverse society

  • Professional Practice in Educational SettingsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this work based learning module is to to support the application of theoretical perspectives of Education Studies in an educational setting and provide opportunities for the development of reflective professional practice and employability skills. Work based learning opportunities will be broad and could include, for example, setting based, virtual reality or online

  • Understanding Child Development in EducationCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module enables students to develop their understanding of a range of key theories of child development and explore their relevance for learning and the design of education programmes and policy in diverse contexts

  • Educational InequalitiesCompulsory10 credits
    Module details

    enables students to synthesise issues inherent to Educational Inequalities with their previous education experiences to create an education autobiographical narrative, and reflect upon engagement with the concepts of inclusion and exclusion whilst enhancing their graduate employability

Year 2 6 modules
  • Debates in EducationCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    facilitates students' development of key graduate-employability skills of communication, argument, and analysis spontaneously in unpredictable live oral environments in which each student takes on the role of lecturers to research, present and lead debate of contended education issues, as well as reflectively in retrospective written reports

  • Special Education Needs and InclusionCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop a critical appreciation of the complex and individual nature of SEND, whilst increasing depth of understanding of the issues and debates related to SEND and Inclusion and their impact on learners and other key stakeholders in learning and teaching

  • Learning Through Education ResearchCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to explore research methodologies and methods in order to learn about educational research. This module will provide students with the broad characteristics of social science research practice. Students will develop a research tool and present research plans on their chosen topic of interest

  • Education in a Diverse SocietyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this work based module is to extend previous learning about communication, research and ethics in educational setting with a specific focus on difference and diversity in a range of contexts. There will be opportunities for students to arrange their own placement in consultation with the Partnership Tutor

  • Education and TechnologyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to develop students' confidence in using, critiquing and applying technology in education. There will be an exploration of theoretical perspectives, policy influences, practical application, ethical implications and the role of the educator

  • Education in a Global ContextCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to empower students to investigate the international context of education. Students will explore historical, cultural, and political dimensions in the context of global priorities that have an impact upon education systems

Year 3 5 modules
  • Education, Culture and SocietyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module critically examines cultures within educational institutions and wider, socio-economic dimensions relating to children, young people and families. It is sociologically based but also draws upon the economic and business models, and the philosophy and politics that shape educational establishments and the behaviour of communities

  • Exploring Deviance and DisaffectionCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    enables students to explore the diverse nature of deviance and disaffection from the theoretical and applied paradigms relevant to understanding the role of related social justice as it impacts on education, teachers, and learners

  • Empowering Change in Professional PracticeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to focus on students' professional development and employability skills through a placement opportunity that enable students to critically analyse leadership theories and the ethical and political influences on leadership and management in education. Students are encouraged to seek their own placement authorised by the partnership tutor

  • Education, Heritage and CommunitiesCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module provides an exploration of the term heritage as distinct from traditional forms of historical assets, focusing on the ethnic and cultural aspects used to create and communicate historical and cultural narratives. Students will develop practical knowledge of the diverse roles of education in contemporary heritage and community practices

  • Education Studies DissertationCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is for students to produce an extended piece of work which explores an education-related topic in-depth. Students will conduct independent research in order to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of their chosen topic

Foundation Year 3 modules
  • Professional and Academic Skills for University StudyCompulsory40 credits
  • Applied Learning ProjectCompulsory40 credits
  • Foundations in Education and SocietyCompulsory40 credits

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This degree explores key issues in education and how people learn. You'll usually begin with foundations in child development and how schooling is organised, moving into curriculum design, pedagogy and assessment as you progress. School placements and observation start early and develop into sustained classroom practice with increasing responsibility. In your final year, you'll typically choose specialist options, such as primary teaching, early years, SEND and inclusion, education policy, or QTS routes, before a final placement and professional studies. Throughout, the course combines theoretical understanding with practical teaching experience grounded in classroom settings.

Who it's for

Most entrants to this course held another higher-education qualification, 66% of accepted students came in with prior higher-education study. The typical UCAS tariff among accepted students was 64–79 points. The Foundation Year is designed to prepare you for degree-level work in education studies.

Careers & job market

Across Education & Teaching courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 70% are in highly skilled roles or further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries of £22,000–£30,000 at 15 months post-graduation; after 3 years, £17,850–£25,200; and after 5 years, £21,250–£30,000. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes and LEO data, not university-specific guarantees. First-year retention across the institution stands at 85%.

University & format

This is a 4-year full-time Bachelor's degree awarded by the University of Northampton, a University based at Waterside Campus. Instruction is in English. The degree is nationally recognised and awarded by a recognised UK degree-awarding body. The University holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
94%
Learning opportunities
95%
Assessment and feedback
93%
Academic Support
98%
Organisation and management
95%
Learning resources
91%
Student voice
94%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Published entryBCC - BBC at A Level DMM at BTEC typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

Open daysOpen Days

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BCC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held another higher-education qualification66% of accepted students came in with another higher-education qualification (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 64 - 79 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
another higher-education qualification66%
A-levels or equivalent29%
an Access course3%
a previous degree2%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesDDDA-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Northampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Home£9,790 / yr
International£17,000 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Northampton →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 4 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Northampton funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

National funding for this subject

  • Teacher-training bursaries: Postgraduate bursaries and scholarships are available for selected shortage subjects. Official guidance

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Education & Teaching graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£28,000£23,000 – £31,00020
3 years after£20,000£15,500 – £25,000305
5 years after£25,000£18,000 – £30,000320

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

85%
in work or further study 15 months on
60%
in highly skilled work or study
93%
continue past their first year
85%
find their work meaningful
80%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in education & teaching · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Education & Teaching nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£28,000
£22,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£20,000
£17,850 – £25,200
After 5 years LEO
£25,000
£21,250 – £30,000
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £16,500 – £31,000

National figures for Education & Teaching graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

85 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

70% working10% working and studying5% in further study60% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Education & Teaching courses at the same study level.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
  • Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 20% of published destinations
  • Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
  • Caring personal servicesSOC 2020 613 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £23,668
  • Teaching and Childcare Associate ProfessionalsSOC 2020 323 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £20,261

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 75; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Is BA (Hons) Education Studies (with Foundation Year) worth it?

Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Education Studies (with Foundation Year) earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.

Slower payoff: this course’s graduate earnings stay close to non-graduate pay
break evenyr 0yr 5yr 10yr 15yr 20yr 25yr 30graduateNot recovered within 30 years

Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 4 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.

−£29,160
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
0.26×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£39,160
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 4 yrs (published course home fee)
£25,000
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£1,000 above a non-graduate (£24,000)

Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 4 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.

Job market & outlook

How Education & Teaching graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Education & Teaching courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
70%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Education & Teaching graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Schools & academy trusts
  • Local authorities
  • Education charities
  • Tutoring providers

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 94.3% · in work or study 85% · continued 93%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of Northampton

All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%

Education and teaching across the UK

Students109,885
Aged 25+51.8%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton

2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Education & Teaching right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Northampton’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 64 - 79 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by Northampton. Most accepted students held another higher-education qualification. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Education graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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