Department of Education

Postgraduate study

Education at Sussex is ranked 7th in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2012 and 11th in the UK in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 85 per cent of research was rated as internationally recognised or higher. Education was awarded a very high grade in the latest QAA Review of Education. 

We provide high-quality teacher training via our PGCE and Graduate Teacher Programmes and are ranked 3rd in the UK for getting secondary trainees employment in schools (Good Teacher Training Guide 2010).

Postgraduate taught degrees within the Department of Education are designed to meet the needs of mid-career professionals in teaching and management, as well as those wishing to develop their skills and knowledge in relevant areas. We aim to provide degrees that are grounded in the research activity of members of faculty; recognise and build upon prior knowledge and experience of students; develop professionally relevant knowledge, skills and understanding; and enable our students to acquire further qualifications to enhance their career prospects.

We offer innovative interdisciplinary teaching and research with social work. Education faculty research interests also intersect with anthropology, development studies, gender studies, international relations and sociology. 

The Department of Education hosts three international research centres:

Most members of faculty are affiliated with one of these centres and their research influences their teaching. Our research degrees support students in developing their research skills and conducting a substantial piece of research. Students come from a wide variety of countries, educational settings and professional backgrounds.

There are currently studentship opportunities for PhD researchers looking to commence study within the Department of Education in October 2013. See ESRC Studentships in Education Research for more information.

For details of our postgraduate taught and research degrees, refer to the 2013 Postgraduate Prospectus.

Our postgraduate taught degrees are:

We also offer high quality Initial Teacher Education courses for those wanting a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). These include:

Our doctoral research degree courses include:

For more information about research training and funding opportunities, refer to:

The School of Education and Social Work prides itself on its academic staff's expertise in the study of childhood and youth in both the Department of Education and the Department of Social Work and Social Care.

We welcome applications to our MA in Childhood and Youth Studies course from candidates who are keen to pursue a broad, challenging and rewarding degree. Local and international students are welcomed, the participatory nature of this course providing opportunities to share and develop interests in working with children and young people in a broad range of environments and contents. This degree prepares graduates for a diverse range of careers, or for further study.

The Department of Education offers high-quality teacher training via its PGCE courses and routes to qualified teacher status (QTS) and are proud to rank 3rd in the UK for getting secondary trainees employment in schools (Good Teacher Training Guide 2010).

We have always prided ourselves on our partnerships with schools, with local education authorities and with other universities. We strengthen the practice of school-based teacher training, which has existed in Sussex for over 40 years, through a consortium of partnership schools and the University of Sussex.

For a list of our PGCE courses, fees and how to apply, refer to our 2012 Postgraduate Prospectus. For further information, refer to Initial Teacher Education.