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BA (Hons) - Education Studies (Top-Up)

If you’ve already completed a foundation degree or similar qualification in Education, Childhood Studies, or Teaching and Learning Support, this is your opportunity to take the next step. Our BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top Up) course allows you to elevate your expertise and graduate with a full honours degree designed to broaden your understanding of education in today’s society.

Across our one-year course, you’ll explore the big questions shaping education nationally and internationally. Through subjects such as social justice, policy, and contemporary issues, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of how education influences – and is influenced by – the world around us. This critical knowledge positions you to make a meaningful contribution wherever your career leads.

A key feature of the course is the practical placement, giving you the chance to apply your learning in real-world educational environments. Whether you choose to use your current workplace, return to a familiar setting, or try something new, we’re here to support you in finding the right placement. This hands-on experience is complemented by guidance from industry‑experienced tutors who help you connect theory with practice.

Throughout your studies, you’ll benefit from small class sizes, personalised support, and a learning environment that encourages dialogue, curiosity, and critical thinking. You’ll build the confidence and academic grounding needed to understand diverse educational settings, while developing valuable analytical skills through research enquiries focused on real educational issues.

With flexible learning opportunities and the freedom to explore the areas of education that interest you most, our Top Up degree empowers you to shape your own path. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and insight to progress into a wide range of education-related careers or further postgraduate study.

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Course Overview

During this one-year course, experience a practical placement that provides you with hands-on experience. You can take this placement with an institution or organisation you already know or a new one, the sourcing of which we can support you with. If you are already working in an education setting, you can even use your employment as your placement. Our industry-experienced tutors support and provide you with a solid academic grounding to complement your practical experience. You’ll study subjects associated with education, teaching and learning, gaining a national and international perspective of education. Discover the world of social justice, policy and current affairs in the context of education.

On this course you will...

Complete work-based placements, enhancing your academic knowledge and boosting your employability.
Develop a critical understanding of educational environments and approaches in relation to social justice, social policy and educational diversity.
Benefit from an intimate learning environment, including a personal tutor and small class groups.
Complete research enquiries on educational issues and in educational settings, developing analytical and critical thinking skills.
Learn flexibly, studying the areas of education that are of interest to you.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationOnline
Institute Institute of Education, Arts and Society
UCAS CodeX305
Mode of DeliveryOnline
Course DurationFull-time: 1 Year
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBA (Hons)
More information'In-person' Programme Specification
'Online' Programme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAll

Minimum entry requirements

72-88

UCAS Tariff points

A foundation degree or HND

Honours degree

UK Tuition fees

£9,535

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790

Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000

Entry in academic year 2026/27

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

This programme will develop useful skills for a future working in a range of education settings, including roles such as a learning mentor, teaching assistant, family support worker or museum education officer. Alternatively, if you want to become a Primary School teacher, you can top up your qualifications with a one-year PGCE course to gain Qualified Teacher Status, subject to application.

Modules

This course is a one-year Top-Up. As such, the following modules are taken over the academic year of study.

Year one

Professional Studies and Work-based Contexts 3
Further develop your professional understanding of the relevant education working environments including schools and non-school settings.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Develop an understanding of the concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Educational Leadership and Management
Develop an understanding of the perspectives of education leadership and management, making links between education management theory and practice.
Current Issues and International Perspectives
Develop an awareness of the issues arising nationally and internationally within all sectors of Education.
Education and the Media
Discuss the nature of media and technology in the world of the learner, exploring significant issues in the way technology has impacted on children, young people and adult learners’ lives, experiences, and well-being.
Special Study
Undertake and communicate findings of a reliable and valid small scale research project into an appropriate aspect of education.

Overview

96-112 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table..

GCSE English Language at grade 4/C or above. 

A foundation degree or HND in a relevant subject.

Fitness to Practise

All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening. Further information will be provided following acceptance of an offer (and no earlier than three months before the course start date). 

For more information about core competencies and medical fitness to train please click here. 

In some instances, an applicant may be invited to attend a professional practice panel to discuss any recommended reasonable adjustments, and whether or not core professional competencies are achievable. 

For information see Medical Clearance and vaccination, here. 

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If you accept an offer of a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check. Details on the policy can be found here.

If you think you have a criminal conviction You will need to submit a Criminal Record Self Disclosure Form as part of the process For more information on this and the form itself, please refer to Self-disclosure of criminal record. 

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: DDD

T-levels: P (D or E)

Access to HE: 24 Credits at Merit & 21 at Pass – 36 credits at Merit & 9 at Pass

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: D - C

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMP – MMM

Scottish Highers: 72 - 88 UCAS Tariff Points

Irish LC Highers: 72 - 88 UCAS Tariff Points

Other experience: Experience with Children is preferred but not required.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course; emphasise your areas of interest and reflect upon any experience you have gained. You should be an original thinker who is keen to bring your unique experience to the academic study of Education.

We are looking for passionate individuals who are keen to understand the wider context of Education; someone who excels at teamwork and has made positive contributions to their current enterprise or community.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

For 2023 entry, our contextual data and information we use in our offer making will be broadened to include applicants that are estranged from their parents, have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Successful participation and completion of our Future Teachers Scheme will also receive an offer lower within the tariff range.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

What we're looking for

We want someone who:

Passionate individuals, who are keen to understand the wider context of Education.
A strong personal statement, with an emphasis on areas of interest and placement experience.
An applicant who excels at teamwork, who has made positive contributions to their current enterprise or community.
Original thinkers, who are keen to bring their unique experience to the academic study of Education.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£9,535
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790
Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000
Entry in academic year 2026/27

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

In addition to any student finance allocation, you may also be eligible for additional funding. We offer a range of grants, scholarships, and bursaries to support low-income students, students from partnered organisations, those who go on to study a PGCE course, and more. You learn more about these on our Fees and Funding Pages.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

Students may wish to have their own computer or laptop for undertaking their assignments. This is not however a requirement for access to the programme as the University does make such facilities available across all of its main sites and learning gateway buildings. Should students wish to purchase a computer then an entry-level laptop would suffice, £300 - 400.

Field Trips

Students will need to fund their own transport to their placement. The placement is usually at least 10 days per year. The student can arrange their own placement close to home, and it can be in the student’s place of work if this is an appropriate setting, such as a school. If the university has supported the student in arranging a placement, we cannot guarantee that this is close to the student’s accommodation. There is the possibility that a university arranged placement will require travelling time, and any expenses incurred are to be met by the student. Therefore, the student should budget for these travel costs. Placement will require sensible, professional clothing and footwear as appropriate to the setting. Other trips and events may take place during the year, such as museum visits or optional social events. The student should budget around £20-£50 per year for this.

Other

Placements in educational settings are an integral part of the programme. You will be required to undertake a criminal background check as part of the application process and there is a cost associated with this of approximately £50-£60.

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Online learning at the University of Cumbria is an interactive experience that makes use of a range of technologies and media types to provide a rich learning environment.
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BA (Hons) - Education Studies (Top-Up)