Course description
The best bits
- Our course is ranked in the Top 30 in the Guardian League Table 2023
- A choice of pathways: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Learn from influential researchers and published authors
- A strong focus on social equality and international learning opportunities
- Opens doors to a wide range of careers
Education studies at Derby
Join an intellectually stimulating course that will make you an authority on current education policy and practice. You will be provided with a solid understanding of education and educational equality, bringing together perspectives from history, psychology, sociology and philosophy.
This course explores the role of education in society and examines how moral and social issues shape learning. You’ll then be able to apply this practically on work placement opportunities throughout your studies.
A global outlook
This course has an international focus and we offer exciting opportunities for you to travel abroad. Our programme of international fieldtrips has given our students first-hand experience of education in countries such as Morocco, The Gambia and Poland.
These international options provide you with valuable insights into different contexts and levels of educational provision as well as critical issues surrounding economic, social and cultural development.
Choose your pathway
You can tailor this degree to your interests by taking one of our two optional specialist pathways:
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) pathway
This pathway has been developed in response to a growing demand for high-calibre trained staff who can work with learners with special educational needs and/or disability.
You will explore a range of SEND practitioner roles and the ways that government policy impacts upon such roles, in and out of the classroom. Our strong links with schools and colleges – both special and mainstream – mean you can learn from leading professionals working in the SEND field.
TESOL pathway
This pathway is ideal if you want to focus on English language teaching for learners in a variety of contexts. It equips you with the skills to:
- Work with English as an Additional Language (EAL) pupils in a primary or secondary setting
- Work abroad as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher
- Work as a teacher of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in an adult or community environment
You will undertake observed teaching practice to give you vital experience and enhance your employability. We introduce you to various approaches for teaching grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, speaking and pronunciation. You’ll also look at lesson planning, syllabus design and assessment. In addition, you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your own knowledge and understanding of the English language.
How you will learn
You will be taught using a variety of methods from directed study, lectures, seminars, and tutorials. If you choose not to follow a pathway, you will still be undertaking a 12-day work placement in an education setting.
You will be taught by influential researchers and published authors whose work is shaping the debate about the future of education. Their research in education includes topics such as:
- inclusion
- diversity
- social equality
- online learning
- pastoral care in primary, secondary and higher education
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.