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Education and History

BA (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - combined honours

Award
BA (Hons) Education and History
School/s
School of Education, School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
Three years full-time, or four years full-time with a Professional Placement Year.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: 39H1 or 39H2
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

Pursue your passion for History while developing the knowledge, skills and experience you need to become an educator across diverse settings.

  • Explore important current themes in Education, such as social justice, inclusion, wellbeing, sustainability, and education policy.
  • Become a creative communicator who can confidently speak to different audiences through a variety of media.
  • Build skills that employers look for, including research, teamwork, and the ability to understand and interpret complex information.

This course is recruiting for 2025 entry

Later this year, you'll be able to apply via a link to our application portal on this page. Fees for 2025 entry will also be confirmed later in the year and the page will be updated then.


Are you passionate about changing lives through education?

Our Education and History degree has been designed to enable you to acquire specialised historical knowledge alongside practical and professional skills in Education.

In your Education modules, you’ll develop a portfolio of skills that employers look for, such as creative thinking, taking initiative, networking, and problem solving. You’ll explore these skills through the lens of sustainability, global citizenship and digital literacy, from local and global perspectives.

In your History studies, you’ll become a confident communicator who can sift through the raw materials of history and present your findings in a classroom setting. You’ll learn to adapt your style to suit a range of audiences, from young people in schools to the wider community.

Many of our graduates choose to become teachers in schools, but that's not the only path open to you. We'll support you in achieving your aspirations as a professional educator – however they develop during the degree.

University of the Year for Social Inclusion

Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024

#7 in the UK

for Student-Staff Ratio in Education (Guardian University Guide, 2024)


Open Days

Get a taste of life at BSU – come to an Open Day.

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What you'll learn

Overview

Explore the ways that education, society, and organisations are structured, and how these structures impact the wellbeing and opportunities of individuals, groups and communities.

We introduce you to education systems from around the world and investigate how education can be used in different ways to change lives. We also look at educational policy and practice and how it can be used to promote social justice.

Course structure

Year one
The first year introduces key concepts and skills that underpin the study of education. You'll be introduced to formal and informal education and explore the potential of education to transform lives. Key themes include wellbeing, global citizenship and the impact of research.

Year two
In your second year, you'll continue to gain practical and academic History skills.

You’ll be introduced to the key ideas and theories needed to understand contemporary educational issues. You’ll learn about education policy and its role on a local and global scale. You’ll also evaluate how education contributes to achieving change in the workplace. You’ll explore global citizenship and wellbeing in more depth, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore sustainable development. Depending on your choice of modules, you can undertake an education placement in your second year.

Year three
You’ll develop a deeper understanding of a professional career in education and education’s role in sustainable development. Your dissertation in either Education or History will complete your studies. If you choose to focus on Education, you’ll get the chance to use your research to help solve real-world problems with our industry partners.

If you’re interested in a teaching career, and you’re on target to successfully complete your degree, we offer a guaranteed interview for our Primary or Secondary PGCE courses in your final year.

How will I be assessed?

You'll be assessed through various tasks and coursework including written assignments, creative projects, practical assessments and presentations. There are no exams on this course.

We’ll provide regular guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding so that you can enter the workplace with confidence.

How will I be taught?

You’ll learn through a mix of seminars, lectures, individual tutorials and online tasks. You’ll also learn from guest speakers.

Throughout my three years on this course, I've developed a wide and in-depth understanding of the many ways that children learn. I feel confident in applying this understanding to my PGCE year and to my own teaching.

Robert Collard, graduate

Opportunities

Work placements, industry links and internships

Throughout your degree, you'll be immersed in work-based learning, giving you the opportunity to investigate a range of education-related careers and develop your employability skills.

If you go into a school placement, you’ll be required to apply for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Services). You'll get more details once you've accepted your place with us.

Study abroad

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Field work

Depending on the optional module you choose in your second year, you can undertake additional accreditation in Outdoor Learning. Please note that you’ll have to pay a contribution towards the cost of this opportunity, including DBS, transport costs and payment of accredited course fee. 

Careers

This course is ideal for students interested in an education career, including teaching (on successful completion of a PGCE). If you’re on target to successfully complete your degree, we offer a guaranteed interview for our Primary or Secondary PGCE courses in your final year.

You’ll gain a broad understanding of education in lots of different settings, which prepares you for a career in:

  • Youth work
  • Other roles in schools, such as Teaching Assistant
  • Charity education
  • Heritage organisations
  • Prisons.

The transferable skills you’ll gain on this course will prepare you for a career that demands confident communication at all levels. You’ll be well-equipped for project management, education and events management.

We'll support you in achieving your aspirations – however they develop during the degree.

Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree. 

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Professional placement year

Overview

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

How will I be assessed?

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

The PPY Bursary

Aiming to make work experience more accessible, we have introduced the PPY Bursary. Students undertaking a PPY can receive between £500 and £1,500 to be used towards placement costs such as travel, food, workwear or accommodation.

For more information and details of eligibility criteria, please visit the PPY Bursary webpage.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus. Nestled in the countryside at the edge of Bath, the campus offers a blend of modern and eighteenth-century buildings and good access to the city.

From your lectures, you’ll be able to visit the library, the Students’ Union, and access our student information and support teams, as well as many of our facilities.

Resources
ASk (Academic Skills)

Available both in-person and online, this dedicated team can help with essay writing, referencing, maths skills and statistics.

Careers and Employability

The team runs networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying.

When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.

English Language Unit

If English isn't your first language, the ELU can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.

Expert speakers

You'll meet our PGCE tutors, and other professionals working in education. You can also get involved with our research centres to stay up to date with the latest in education research.

Online resources

You can access thousands of specialist Library resources digitally. Don't forget to contact your dedicated subject Librarian for help with your research. Tutors will post helpful resources to the Virtual Learning Environment.

You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design, and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.

Student Wellbeing Services

SWS (Student Wellbeing Services) is available to support you throughout your learning.

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee

  • UK: £1,850

Additional course costs

You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits. Please check the course Programme Document (linked under the main image on this page) for details of any additional costs. You can also read our Additional Course Costs Policy for further information.

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We’re looking for individuals who are curious, reflective and interested in their subject areas. You’ll be motivated, committed and keen to push the boundaries of your knowledge and get the best possible preparation for your future career.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below. 

  • A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred in History or a related subject
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in a related subject.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred.
  • International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required with a minimum of grade 5 in History at Higher Level.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher).

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Entry requirements for PGCE courses

The entry requirements for subsequent interview to the PGCE programme may alter (for example if the DfE changes entry requirements for PGCE courses). You’ll be advised of any changes during the degree.

Course enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.

Course contact (Education): Dr Jenny Hatley 
Email: j.hatley@bathspa.ac.uk
Course leader (History) Dr Allyson Edwards
Email: a.edwards@bathspa.ac.uk 

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk