Education
Education as an academic discipline is concerned with some of the most fundamental questions about human society: how knowledge is transmitted and transformed, how learning happens, how educational systems reflect and reproduce social inequalities, and what the purposes of schooling actually are. It draws on sociology, philosophy, psychology, history and policy analysis to examine how education works, for whom it works, and how it might work better. Studying education at university is not the same as training to be a teacher, though it provides strong foundations for those who want to pursue teaching, and it equips you with an analytical perspective on education that is valuable in a wide range of professional contexts.
At the University of Leeds, this three-year full-time degree takes a genuinely interdisciplinary approach to education, examining it as a social institution, a political project, a site of professional practice, and a global phenomenon. You will explore the political, cultural and social forces that shape educational systems, develop your understanding of how learning happens at the individual and social level, and engage with debates about curriculum, assessment, inclusion, globalisation and the future of education. A sandwich year placement, a year abroad, and a work placement are all available, giving you substantial professional and international experience that enriches your academic understanding with direct engagement with educational settings and contexts around the world.
Research methods, critical analysis and clear written and oral communication are developed throughout.
Graduates from education degrees move into teaching (typically with a PGCE), educational leadership, school administration, SEND support, youth work, educational psychology (with further training), policy, international education, the third sector, and a wide range of roles in organisations concerned with learning and human development. Postgraduate study in education, policy, or related social sciences is a well-supported pathway.