Education Secondary and History

You’ll explore education from many theoretical and ideological perspectives in your core modules. This in-depth knowledge of the education industry, combined with your specialist knowledge of History, gives you that all-important edge when you embark on your professional education career.

Year one

The first year introduces key concepts and skills that underpin your Education studies and develops your historical skills. You’ll be given a sound introduction to secondary schools via a school placement. The curriculum will allow you to ask questions, challenge your own assumptions, and interrogate evidence, data and opinions.

Year two

In your second year, you'll continue to gain practical and academic History skills. You'll consider current issues in Education, such as pupil voice, special educational needs, assessment and classroom organisation, and apply your knowledge and understanding to a defined problem or area.

Year three

You’ll identify questions about education you'd like to explore, develop your proposal and conduct an independent piece of research around your area of interest. You'll also have opportunities to engage with PGCE staff and students to ease your transition to initial teacher training - if this is your desired next step.

Coursework includes essays, group presentations, research-based reports and portfolio-based work. We’ll provide you with prompt feedback and give you regular guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding.

All modules are led by experienced University staff.  You’ll get to grips with your subject through lectures, seminars, workshops and individual tutorials.

You’ll also benefit from regular visiting speakers. These include PGCE and History staff, educational advisers, specialist researchers and international practitioners.

Placement modules prepare you for the world of work and teaching. We have an extensive network of partners across local, regional and national organisations, and can help you make the most of the opportunity to work with them.

Through these placements, you’ll develop problem solving skills, leadership qualities and strong communication methods to better prepare you for a related career. 

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

This course is designed to inform a range of careers - from classroom teaching where you can share your passion for History, to advisory roles that inform educational policy and practice.

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. You may also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.

Successful completion of the Secondary Education degree qualifies you for a guaranteed interview for our PGCE Secondary courses.

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.

This optional placement year 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.

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Your Secondary Education and History modules are based at our historic Newton Park campus. 

You'll have access to a wide range of excellent facilities, including:

• Our Commons building
• Newton Park library
• Writing and Learning Centre for academic support including referencing
• Specialist Education and History resources and dedicated subject Librarian
• Our Virtual Learning Environment, Minerva.

Access to our research centres will give you the opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest in teaching research and excellence.