What's the difference between studying BA Education, and BA Early Childhood and Primary Education?
Two Programme Leaders outline the differences between our BA Education and BA Early Childhood and Primary Education degrees along with the benefits of studying at the Chester School of Education.
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The University’s School of Education has a range of exciting non-QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) courses that specialise in introducing learners to the fields of national and international education and, ultimately, into the children and young people’s workforce. Since deciding on a degree program is such a pivotal moment in your academic journey, it’s likely you’ll want to unpack all the options available to you, so that you can make an informed choice. We have two popular course options available at our Exton Park site that help students enter the world of education: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Education and the BA in Early Childhood and Primary Education. Both courses have unique features, benefits, modules, and career prospects, and this may make it difficult to determine which course is the right fit for you. In the hope of making things a little easier, we have asked the Programme Leaders for both courses to outline their key differences, as well as exploring some of the reasons why you’ll love studying within the School of Education, regardless of your final choice!
BA Early Childhood and Primary Education
Specialised focus, with an accredited pathway
Our BA Early Childhood and Primary Education course is specifically designed for individuals who are passionate about working with or teaching young children and studying their learning environments. It focuses on the unique challenges and practices in both the Primary Education and the Early Childhood sectors and offers bespoke learning pathways for either of these two areas in Year 2 (Level 5). In your second year, if you opt to undertake the Early Years pathway, the course will allow you to gain an early years qualification approved by the DfE (and enable you to be included in ratios in early years settings).
Innovative modules
Several of our modules place a special focus on early childhood, or on the primary school child, which will allow you to tailor your studies to your specific interests, and your career goals. You can choose from a range of elective modules, such as Meaning Makers: Communication Language & Literacy 0-11 Years, The Healthy Child, Social Justice, Diversity and Marginalisation, Alternative Narratives and Rethinking Discourse and Pedagogy. The interactive modules will have a critical role to play in deepening your understanding of children's cognitive and emotional development and will illuminate why early learning experiences are so vital.
Delivered by experienced early years educators and primary education teachers
Our staff have worked in the early years and primary school sectors, as both educators and teachers, meaning you will gain a contemporary insight and up to date knowledge from the world of childhood. What you learn will be specialist, and well-informed; our curriculum is designed to support you as you consider your future career and is delivered by tutors still engaged in research. From day one you will be involved in exciting and innovative thinking around early childhood and the primary education phase.
BA Education (with an Optional International Pathway)
Broad focus
Our BA Education course provides a broad, global, but comprehensive understanding of education in its various forms. It covers topics like educational psychology, policy, and practice, making it an excellent choice if you aspire to work in the various educational settings beyond primary and secondary education. It recognises the vast and ever progressing landscape of education and will arm you with knowledge of the educational world around us, with truly innovative and experiential learning.
An international pathway, offering an additional qualification
The optional international pathway allows you to undertake a full year of study and/or a five to eight week placement in another country, which enables you to gain global perspectives on learning and teaching. In your second year you will study our compulsory module on Developing Intercultural Literacy and Cross-Cultural Skills and have the choice of one of two supplementary modules: Intercultural Experiential Learning or Introduction to TESOL/TEFL. The former encourages you to reflect upon and home in on your personal experiences as a study abroad student, especially on topics such as inclusion, diversity, and sustainability, and the latter offers a unique opportunity to gain Cambridge’s widely recognised ‘Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages’ (CELTA) qualification.
Modules designed to maximise your understanding of the bigger picture
All our modules are perfectly tailored to shape your understanding of the world of education. They will take you beyond the classroom; through them you will learn about global perspectives, community learning, and research and enquiry. If your preferred learning pathway is more traditional (if you decide to study domestically), we still offer exciting, interactive modules such as Politics, Power and Society, Creativity & The Curriculum, Education in Film, Media and Music, International Perspectives on Education, and Gender, Sexuality and Socio-economic Diversity.
What you’ll get, whatever you decide!
Fantastic, diverse career opportunities
Both courses offer a range of career opportunities in many exciting and challenging environments. Our graduates have successfully gained roles in educational administration, policy analysis, curriculum development, adult education, family support, social work, the local government, banking, therapy and counselling, the judicial system, and of course as early years educators. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll feel confident, equipped with a plethora of transferable skills.
A route into teaching or postgraduate study
If you are considering becoming a teacher of the future, our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses may be the next stop on your career journey! We have built a strong relationship with the School of Education’s teacher training department, and as long as you meet the entry requirements you are guaranteed an interview to study at PGCE level upon graduation – from either undergraduate course. We also offer various other postgraduate courses too, and you will be well-equipped to continue your learning once your finish your three-year degree.
A real sense of belonging, in a supportive learning environment
The University offers a supportive and nurturing learning environment. In your first year you will be assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who is the member of staff who will help you with any issues you may have throughout your time at Chester, providing both academic advice and guidance and personal help and support. We are extremely proud of our current students and alumni, and the amazing work that they continue to produce.
Experiential Placements in all three years of study
Both our courses will enhance your skills through work-based learning placements in Years 1, 2 and 3. As soon as you start with us, we will work closely with you to find a placement that just feels right; we always endeavour to find that ‘perfect fit’ for our students. Our partnerships with local nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, healthcare providers, mental health centres (and beyond), mean that there is real flexibility, and a chance to tailor your practical, hands-on learning to suit your needs and interests.