Overview

Education remains one of the most powerful forces for change in the world, shaping how people learn, how societies develop and how opportunities are created, or missed, across generations. The BA (Hons) Education Studies at Durham University explores these big questions, drawing on the four main pillars of educational enquiry to examine contemporary dilemmas through psychological, sociological, philosophical and historical lenses. Students can specialise in specific areas such as SEND and inclusion, digital education, intercultural education or the psychology of education, guided by a research-active School of Education with multiple expert-led research clusters. Teaching combines lectures that critically analyse key theories and debates with small-group seminars that encourage dialogue, discussion and project-based learning. A large proportion of study time is dedicated to independent research, building genuine capacity for critical analysis, reflection and evaluation well before the final-year dissertation. The course suits students who want to think critically, creatively and innovatively about education's future, whether heading toward teaching, educational research or postgraduate study, or broader careers in policy, charities, publishing, business and international organisations.

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What You'll Learn

• How to read and interpret educational research, building core analytical skills from the first year

• Historical and philosophical perspectives shaping education today

• Key debates, theoretical approaches and authors within the sociology of education

• Psychological principles explaining individual differences in learning processes and outcomes

• The purposes and implications of educational research, including how it is designed, conducted and analysed

• Contemporary dilemmas and debates in education, examined critically

• Co-designed solutions to real-world educational challenges, issues or questions

• An independent dissertation applying your skills to a self-chosen educational topic

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyse education through psychological, sociological, philosophical and historical perspectives, drawing on strong disciplinary foundations built from the first year onward. They will be equipped to read, interpret and appraise educational research, understanding how it is designed, conducted and applied to real-world questions. Through co-designed problem-solving and an independent dissertation, students will develop the ability to reason critically, think creatively and propose innovative solutions to genuine educational challenges. Graduates will leave with strong analytical, research and collaborative skills, well suited to careers in teaching, educational research, policy, publishing, charities, public service and international organisations, or as a foundation for postgraduate study.