Education Secondary and Creative Arts Practice
BA (Hons)
Undergraduate degree - combined honours
- UCAS codes: Institution B20, Course 39G2 or 39C2 (with professional placement year)
- Creative Arts Practice - Programme Document
- Education Secondary - Programme Document
- Award
- BA (Hons) Education Secondary and Creative Arts Practice
- School/s
- Bath School of Art, Film and Media, School of Education
- Campus or location
- Newton Park, Sion Hill and Locksbrook
- Course length
- Three years full-time.
- UCAS codes
- Institution Code: B20
- Course Code: 39G2 or 39C2
- Campus Code: B20
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.
Combine your specialist subject with a Secondary Education degree, which prepares you for a Secondary PGCE.
- Gain the classroom experience that employers are looking for through placements in schools during each year of your studies.
- Join our long-standing and highly respected School of Education and benefit from strong partnerships with schools.
- On successful completion of the Secondary Education degree, you'll qualify for a guaranteed interview for our PGCE Secondary.
This secondary education degree is designed to enable you to gain real teaching experience before you embark on your PGCE. You'll study Education - in the broader contexts of professional practice, policy, teaching and learning - alongside the subject you're most passionate about.
In teaching, subject expertise and enthusiasm isn't enough to give you the edge. This degree gives you the practical experience of working in schools with young people that employers are looking for.
The course offers a guaranteed interview for our PGCE Secondary, and is flexible; we'll support you in achieving your aspirations as a professional educator - however they develop during the degree. You'll benefit from our tutors' wealth of research and practice-informed expertise when you join this community of learning and practice.
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
What you'll learn
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 subject knowledge, 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 the subject of Education Studies. In addition, the placement module provides you with a sound introduction to secondary schools via a school placement.
Year two
You’ll consider more deeply the current issues in education, such as pedagogy, pupil voice, special needs, assessment and classroom organisation. You’ll undertake a second school placement, this time with a focus on developing your professionalism.
Year three
This year, the Teaching and Professionalism module prepares you for the PGCE. For your dissertation, you'll explore an issue of your choice and use your creativity and the skills you've gained so far to develop a classroom resource to address it. You'll also have opportunities to engage with PGCE staff and students; this eases your transition to initial teacher training.
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 and respected university staff. Many staff are active researchers and authors in the field of education studies; from the outset, they’ll introduce you to their particular specialisms and research interests. You’ll also benefit from regular visiting speakers – these include headteachers, PGCE staff, practitioners, educational advisers, specialist researchers and international visitors.
To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.
Course modules
This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.
- Education for Change
- Introduction to Secondary Schools
- Changing Schooling
- Issues in Education
- Professional Practice in Secondary Schools
- Understanding Classrooms
- Professional Placement Year
- Teaching and Professionalism in the Secondary School
- Education Secondary Research Project part 1
An optional module which may include:
- Education Secondary Dissertation Project Part 2
- Social and Educational Inclusion
Please note, not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.
Opportunities
We have an excellent partnership with schools where you can develop your understanding of Secondary level teaching.
You’ll attend a placement in each year of the degree for approximately eight to ten days. They usually occur one day a week during a term to allow you to continue with other university studies. We’ll arrange each placement for you. We try to ensure you're located within a reasonable distance from where you live; however, you should normally expect to travel using your own or public transport.
You must be in possession of a Bath Spa DBS disclosure. Details are sent once you have accepted your place with us.
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 education careers - from classroom teaching to advisory roles that inform policy and practice, both nationally and internationally.
Successful completion of the secondary education degree leads to a guaranteed interview for our Oftsted 'Outstanding' rated PGCE Secondary course.
Our students often enter the teaching profession in local schools and a range of other settings and benefit from continued participation in the community of research and practice here at Bath Spa.
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.
Professional placement year
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.
Facilities and resources
Your Secondary Education modules are based at Newton Park campus. You'll also undertake placements in schools in each year of your studies.
You'll benefit from access to a wide range of excellent facilities, including:
- Our Commons building
- Newton Park library
- Writing and Learning Centre
- Specialist Education resources and dedicated subject Librarian
- Our Virtual Learning Environment, Minerva.
You'll have access to the PGCE team, particularly in your final year as you transition to initial teacher training, and you'll also benefit from talks by guest speakers and incoming experts. Access to our research centres will give you the opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest in teaching research and excellence.
Fees
Please note: Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are not generally eligible for the UK (Home) fee status. Please refer to the international student rate. Irish citizens and those granted Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are eligible for UK (Home) fee status. There are also other circumstances where this may apply: See UKCISA for more information.
2023/24 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | £9,250 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2025 |
2024/25 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2026 |
2026/27 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2026 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2027 |
2023/24 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | £15,930 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2025 |
2024/25 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2026 |
2026/27 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2026 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2027 |
Interested in applying?
Your personal statement must indicate clearly at least two weeks of recent experience of observing or working in a primary school. You need to write about this experience and discuss what you have learned from it, and also discuss why you are applying for a degree in Education Studies. There are no interviews.
Please be aware that you will be required to complete a DSB through Bath Spa University as part of the admissions process for this course.
Note: The entry requirements for the 4th year of this programme (the PGCE year) may alter (for example, if the NCTL changes entry requirements for PGCE courses). You’ll be advised of any changes during the degree.
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 addition to GCSEs at Grade C or above in English, Maths and Science
- BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in English, Maths and Science
- T Levels – grade Merit preferred.
- International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 28 points are required with evidence of an interest in Education
- 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.
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 leader: Eleanor West
Email: e.west@bathspa.ac.uk
Three year course
Experience a broad range of disciplines on this contemporary and creative Art degree.
- Explore and innovate across disciplines. Study and practise two subject areas, with the option to specialise if you choose.
- Take an entrepreneurial approach. Translate your practice into industry through opportunities to exhibit, perform and publish.
- Learn from practising professionals. Your tutors are also visual artists, sculptors, designers, writers, sound artists and performers.
Do you want to be an artist, designer, performer, writer or teacher – or create your own path by combining more than one artistic profession?
On this contemporary creative arts course, you'll gain a practical grounding in a range of disciplines including sculpture, ceramics, drawing, painting, textiles, live art and graphic arts, before specialising in one or two disciplines of your choice. You can choose from a wealth of optional first year practical modules that will introduce you to printmaking, photography, performance, sound, video and word – to build your own unique course of study.
You’ll benefit from support and encouragement from dedicated staff who are practitioners in their specialist fields. You’ll also have access to our superb facilities and excellent technical staff.
What you'll learn
This contemporary creative arts degree is based on the fundamental principles of professional, practical studio practice supported by theory, interdisciplinarity, and entrepreneurship.
We assume that you're primarily a practitioner, driven by the desire to create in a variety of media. The majority of your time will be taken up with creating in a studio or workshop; however contextual, critical and reflective thinking will be required and encouraged – practitioners don't create work in a cultural vacuum.
The course encourages and supports cross-fertilisation of ideas and collaborative practice across subject areas. The multidisciplinary nature of the course places you in a unique position to combine practice and theory from both areas of study in radical and innovative ways.
Throughout the programme you'll also engage in public exhibitions, publishing or performances. Alongside these professional opportunities, in your final year, you'll be encouraged to develop opportunities relating to your future career.
The Professional Practice modules in years two and three aim to help you develop the practical, professional skills you’ll need to flourish in the industry, including social networking, photographing your work, creating digital portfolios, applying for competitions, marketing, creating a web presence, setting up a business, working on commissions, pricing your work, approaching galleries, exhibiting and fundraising.
The course’s inherent multidisciplinarity and the experiences you will encounter working with a variety of materials and contexts, will broaden your skill-set and enhance your employability, enabling you to work confidently across a range of scenarios.
Year one
We’ll encourage you to experiment in a number of disciplines, gaining extensive knowledge and fundamental skills. You’ll also study context and theory, supported by lectures and seminars that will develop your understanding of current and historical debates in art and design practice.
You’ll choose modules* from two of the following four core subject areas:
- 2D (Painting and Drawing)
- 3D (Ceramics and Sculpture)
- Graphic arts
- Mixed Media Textiles
- Live Art.
Optional modules include Photography, Moving Image, Printmaking and Ceramics. Alongside these subjects you’ll attend contextual studies lectures that will introduce you to the history of creativity and culture.
Year two
You’ll have the opportunity to specialise in one discipline, or continue with two areas of study. Contextual studies lectures continue and will examine current thinking and debates around aesthetic theory. During the second part of the year you’ll begin a programme of professional practice, with opportunities to publicly exhibit your work.
Year three
In your final year you’ll continue to develop your practice to produce a body of work for public exhibition at the school degree show. You'll also complete a dissertation on a subject of your choosing. Professional development opportunities will encourage you to expand your skills in areas such as web design, marketing and project management. By gaining the necessary expertise, you’ll maximise your potential as a creative practitioner after graduation.
*For a full list of available modules, please see the programm document on this page.
You’ll be assessed entirely by coursework such as portfolios, exhibitions, written papers and live presentations. There are no written exams.
You'll be taught by practising artists, sculptors, designers, writers and performers who have excellent research profiles in exhibition, publication, recording and performance.
You’ll learn through through practical workshop sessions, individual supervision, seminars and lectures. You’ll also have access to an extensive weekly programme of visiting lectures from practising artists, curators, critics and gallerists.
To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.
Course modules
This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.
Modules for the integrated Foundation year option are listed on the Integrated Foundation Year for Art and Design page.
- Methods and Materials
- Specialised Workshop Practive
- Professional Development 1
- Introducing Studio Practice
- Professional Practice 2
- Introduction to Visual and Material Culture: Creative Arts Practice and Fine Art.
- 2D – Practice and Context
- 3D – Practice and Context
- Graphic Arts – Practice and Context
- Mixed Media Textiles – Practice and Context
- Live Art – Practice and Context
- Specialised Studio Practice and Context
- Aesthetics and Creative Arts
- 2D – Practice, context and theory
- 3D – Practice, context and theory
- Graphic Arts – Practice, context and theory
- Mixed Media Textiles – Practice, context and theory
- Live Art – Practice, context and theory
- Specialised Studio – Practice, context and theory
- Professional Practice – Group Exhibition, Publication or Performance
- Professional Placement Year.
- 2D Individual Studio Practice
- 3D Individual Studio Practice
- Graphic Arts Individual Studio Practice
- Mixed Media Textiles Individual Studio Practice
- Live Art – Individual Studio Practive
- Visual and Material Culture: Final Studio
- 2D Individual Studio Practice: Final Exhibition
- 3D Individual Studio Practice: Final Exhibition
- Graphic Arts Individual Studio Practice: Final Exhibition
- Mixed Media Textiles Individual Studio Practice: Final Exhibition
- Live Art Individual Studio Practice: Final Exhibition
- Specialised Individual Studio Practice: Final Exhibition
- Professional Practice: Independent project.
Opportunities
As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.
You'll have the opportunity to undertake group study visits to London and major exhibitions in cities across the country. In recent years, overseas study trip destinations have included Venice, Berlin, Paris and Barcelona. where students have visited international artists and designers' studios.
Please note that study visits and overseas study may incur extra costs on top of your course fees.
There are opportunities for you to undertake work placements as part of the professional practice programme, and you can also take the Professional Placement Year between your second and final years of study.
The optional Professional Practice modules in your second and final years give you the opportunity to exhibit / perform / publish at a host of sites, both in and outside of the University. Our students have done so at the University Theatre, Walcot Chapel, 44AD Gallery, Royal United Hospital, Michael Tippet Centre, American Museum, Bath Artists’ Studios, Holburne Museum, Centerspace Bristol and Bargehouse London.
You’ll graduate with a broad portfolio of expertise to accompany specialist knowledge in your particular field(s).
The majority of our graduates will progress to art-related employment or self-employment, whether as a studio-based artist, public artist or in the realm of arts management or arts administration.
The course also attracts many students wishing to pursue a career in art education.
We’ll encourage you to participate in competitions such as the Porthleven Prize and the Gane Trust Travel Grant among many others.
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.
Professional placement year
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.

Facilities and resources
As a BA Creative Arts Practice student you’ll benefit from access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including:
- Our student service point at Locksbrook where you can purchase subsidised art and design materials, hire out equipment for free and collect Library resources
- Access to our well-stocked Library at Newton Park
- Specialist technical workshops across all of art and design
- Access to studio space where you can work on projects and refine your practice.
Fees
Please note: Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are not generally eligible for the UK (Home) fee status. Please refer to the international student rate. Irish citizens and those granted Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are eligible for UK (Home) fee status. There are also other circumstances where this may apply: See UKCISA for more information.
2023/24 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | £9,250 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2025 |
2024/25 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2026 |
2026/27 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2026 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2027 |
2023/24 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | £15,930 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2025 |
2024/25 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2026 |
2026/27 Entry
Course fees
Year 1 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2026 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2027 |
Interested in applying?
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.
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below. All applicants will also be required to hold GCSEs at Grade B or above in English, Maths and Science.
- A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred
- BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in any subject.
- T Levels – grade Merit preferred.
- International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 28 points are required.
- 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.
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 leader: Matthew Robertson
Email: m.robertson@bathspa.ac.uk