In the first year, you’ll reflect on your own learning. You’ll explore the current issues affecting education across the world. You’ll develop an inquisitive mind. Why does the 21st century need education? Question everything. Make no assumptions. You’ll approach education from a philosophical viewpoint. You’ll study issues of social mobility, unconscious bias, identity, culture and class. You’ll examine how government policies impact education. We’ll teach you theoretical concepts around disability and inclusion. Together, we’ll bring educational theory to life. We’ll inspire you through work-based learning activities. You’ll start to analyse digital communication. Unlock the power of language. What will you create? You’ll have a unique chance to put your learning into practice when you join a department at the University of Hertfordshire.  Observe the relationship between education and communication as we share our methods of delivering key messaging. This year, you’ll join a dynamic learning community. You’ll collaborate. You’ll enrich your life and that of others. You’ll feel part of something special because you are. 

In the second year, you’ll further explore special educational needs and disabilities. You’ll discuss stereotypes, misconceptions and prejudice. You’ll examine the human experience and its relationship with education. You’ll reflect upon your values and skills. We’ll teach you the evolution of education through the lens of history and culture. You’ll analyse classroom behaviour and expectations.  Can tradition inform innovation? We’ll teach you education psychology. You’ll explore ideas and theories. You’ll focus your research on critical thinkers who inspire you. We’ll share our knowledge of curriculum and assessment. We’ll challenge you to distinguish between schooling and education. You’ll spend time in a work setting, which could be a SEND school, charity shop or museum.  You’ll examine their communication styles and the role education plays. This is a chance to view education in a whole new light. Be curious. By the end of this year, you’ll have a good understanding of your own educational mission. You’ll feel energised by the impact you could make.   

In the third year, you’ll specialise in your chosen area of education. You’ll choose from: SEND, teaching and learning, language, digital education, sociology and psychology or outdoor education. You’ll immerse yourself in policy, educational frameworks and concepts. Be a critical thinker. You’ll engage and educate audiences with your research.  You’ll delve into different community projects. Gain valuable insights into the delivery of education. The pinnacle of your degree is the Capstone Project where you’ll collaborate with peers to engage and educate a community. This is your chance to fulfil an educational remit that matters to you.  Where will your imagination take you?  You could create an event to strengthen relationships in the community. Or a programme of educational activities. You could design a stimulating ‘pop up’ learning environment. We’ll even give you £250 to invest in your initiative. Make a difference. Empower. Communicate. Celebrate and showcase your work in our graduate event. By the end of this year, you’ll have a deep understanding of your educational philosophy. You’ll have a vision of how you can make a meaningful contribution. Create your own path. Your future career is waiting.   

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

This degree gives you essential transferable skills.  There are lots of career paths available to you.  Upon completion, you can take a 1-year Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to become a qualified teacher.  You could pursue a career in child development or SEND.  Or perhaps, working in marketing and communications is your dream.  Or becoming a motivational speaker.  You could work in museums and libraries.  Maybe, you’d like to work for charities, educating their service users and fundraisers.  You could specialise in professional development.  Help organisations train their staff.  You could even help rehabilitate prisoners.  Education and communication are essential sought-after skills.  You can be confident that whatever path you chose your degree will back you all the way.    

With a degree in education, you will be equipped to work in various sectors and roles including:

• mentoring and coaching
• teaching
• pastoral work in schools and universities
• educational administration
• local authorities and the civil service
• museums, charities, non-government organisations, environmental services as an education officer
• human resource management.

Whatever your career goal, a key focus of the degree is work-based learning where all students will undertake field work in order to provide a context for enquiry, to develop employability skills, and to learn, in a first-hand way, about our communities and how they might usefully contribute to its needs and possibilities. In addition, you may progress onto a Master’s degree in Education, postgraduate Initial Teacher Education through a PGCE in Primary Education, the Post Graduate Diploma Youth and Community (PGDipYCW) qualification or an MA Conversion to Psychology.