This newly developed, strongly vocational degree is ideal for students seeking a fulfilling career in education, while not wishing to immediately gain qualified teacher status.
The only undergraduate course of its kind in London, BA Education Practice will appeal to those already working as a teaching assistant (TA), secondary or primary, and looking for career progression. It’s equally ideal for college and sixth-form leavers seeking to explore the discipline of education, while benefiting from a hands-on, practical route into the sector and the many careers it offers. It would be helpful for those working in other roles such as education officers in museum or charities, those working as learning mentors in a range of settings with children and young people or those working in Local Authorities in toles such as Education Welfare Support Services or SEND case officers.
Timetabling has been designed with an unusual degree of flexibility, such that students who work or have other commitments can opt to attend university one day a week, with further online lectures and seminars on one evening from home. Students who are not working can opt for a more traditional university timetable spread across the week.
Please note: Prospective students wishing to qualify as a primary school teacher should apply to our BA Primary Education (QTS).
The BA Education Practice programme offers a number of career paths, including:
The opportunity, for those with TA experience, to become an accredited Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), now formally recognised as a graduate level outcome.
Progression to our one-year PGCE Primary following graduation, to achieve qualified teacher status (with a 20% alumni discount on the tuition fees).
Progression to our one-year MA TESOL for students who may wish to work internationally in English speaking schools, teaching pupils with English as a second language (also with a 20% tuition fee reduction).
The course content of BA Education Practice offers students a deep understanding of working life in schools, the education system and the issues faced by classroom practitioners. Placement periods are arranged for students to gain hands-on experience. All teaching and learning is informed by Roehampton’s unrivalled 182 year heritage in teaching, and by the work of education philosopher Friedrich Froebel, whose followers established Froebel College in the 1920s. Students also benefit from Roehampton’s vast network of partner schools across London and the south east, and from the world-class reputation for special educational needs (SEN) specialism that our School of Education enjoys.
Schedule by year of study:
Year 1 is designed as an introduction to the academic discipline of education with topics such as child development and inclusivity. Students will also acquire the professional skill of reflecting on and evaluating aspects of learning and teaching from a personal perspective. Modules cover the fundamentals of how children learn, engaging learners in their learning and how adults support learning using a variety of approaches.
Year 2 includes a placement in a setting with a focus on education. This placement could be within a traditional school setting, an education setting in the voluntary or charity sector or could equally be within education settings such as museums or galleries. The compulsory modules in year two enable you to develop your understanding of and the implementation of the role of an education practitioner. Optional modules are geared towards aspects of education such as technology, creativity, literacy and inclusion.
Year 3 includes a practice-based enquiry project and a focus on learners’ wellbeing and holistic development. The optional modules enable you to focus on the step into employment and work within education (via HLTA accreditation), preparing for further study towards a teaching qualification (PGCE) or further academic study (via MA TESOL).
