Education BA (Hons)

Key information

Duration:
3 years full time
Typical A-level offer:
BBB-BBC
View full entry requirements
UCAS code:
X121
Start date:
September 2025

If you want to influence education practice in diverse settings across people's lives, or plan education policy, this degree is for you.

You’ll study the broad spectrum of education, including formal and informal contexts, from schools to universities and from community to refugee and arts education.

You’ll gain the skills to support education from early years to older age by studying topics including:

  • curriculum, learning, culture and society
  • support for neurodivergent learners
  • inclusion, equalities and identities
  • education, democracy, social justice and global sustainability
  • digital education in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Our interdisciplinary approach incorporates history, politics and philosophy, through to sociology, psychology and policy. You will also take electives from other subjects, from philosophy to law and modern languages, to open your mind to other disciplines and tailor your degree to your interests. 

You’ll also learn from our experts’ diverse international education research specialisms, from the role of education in conflict zones to learning in prisons, and children’s literacy to how sustainability is taught across the world. You’ll get to study education in the area that interests you, from infant schools to arts, museums and refugee education.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Entry requirements

A-level

Typical offer

BBB-BBC

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

GCSEs

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Extended Project Qualification

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.  We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer

Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 21 credits at Distinction

Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects (including A-level mixes)

Typical offer

M2 M2 M2

If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade B at A-level and, M2 and M2 in two Pre-Us. 

If you have two A-levels and a Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject we would normally expect you to have grades BB at A-level and M2 in Pre-U.

GCSEs

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

30 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Technical Diploma in Childcare and Education ( Early Years Educator)

Typical offer

Grade A

GCSEs

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level

Typical offer

Grade B in A-level and Distinction, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs grades 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels

Typical offer

Grades BB in A-levels and Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. 

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs grades 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)

Typical offer

DDM

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs grades 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Scottish Highers

Typical offer

ABBBB-BBBBB

T Level

Typical offer

Pass T-Level with an overall grade of Distinction including grade B in the Core Component

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

Subjects

The T Level should be in Education and Childcare

GCSEs

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced

Typical offer

BBB-BBC from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels

GCSEs

You should also have a broad range of GCSEs (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

30 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer

Overall result of at least 75%

Other international qualifications

Australia

Typical offer

Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and 85% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 5 or better.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Austria

Typical offer

Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of 2.2 or better for first-year entry.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Belgium

Typical offer

Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average of 65% or more. 

Additional requirements

Good grades in subject areas.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bulgaria

Typical offer

Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects).

Canada

Typical offer

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 70% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses.

British Columbia Certificate of Graduation BBBBB from 5 grade 12 courses.

We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

China

Typical offer

If you have the Goakao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year. You would normally need an overall average of 75%, including required subjects.

We are also pleased to consider applications if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year or you have one or more years of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution.

The Senior High School Graduation alone would not be sufficient for entry to our undergraduate degrees, but you may be eligible to apply for our International Foundation Year. If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex.

Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Croatia

Typical offer

Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of 4.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Cyprus

Typical offer

Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of 18 /20.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Czech Republic

Typical offer

Maturita with a good overall average.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Denmark

Typical offer

Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7 on the new grading scale.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Finland

Typical offer

Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result between MMMM - EMMM

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Typical offer

French Baccalauréat with overall final result of at least 12/20.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Germany

Typical offer

German Abitur with an overall result of 2.2 or better.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Greece

Typical offer

Apolytirion with an overall average of at least 18 will be considered for first-year entry.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Typical offer

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 4,4,4 from three subjects including two electives. 

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hungary

Typical offer

Erettsegi/Matura with a good averageof at least 55544.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

India

Typical offer

Standard XII results

75% - 80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE)
80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE)
80% HSC higher Secondary Certificate ( Maharashtra )

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Iran

Typical offer

Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ireland

Typical offer

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Israel

Typical offer

For first year entry at least 80% (or 8/10) in at least 6 subjects, including one 5 unit subject, in one sitting of the Bagrut.

Italy

Typical offer

Italian Diploma di Maturità or Diploma Pass di Esame di Stato with a Final Diploma mark of at least 78/100.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Japan

Typical offer

Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Latvia

Typical offer

Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with very good grades in state exams.

Lithuania

Typical offer

Brandos Atestatas including scores of 80% in at least three state examinations (other than English).

Luxembourg

Typical offer

Pass the Diplome de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires with 43 points overall.

Malaysia

Typical offer

at least Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of BBB, Matriculation with a least a grade of 3.0 or UEC with an overall average grade B4 (70%) from 6 subjects.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Netherlands

Typical offer

Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis

Nigeria

Typical offer

You are expected to have one of the following:

  • Higher National Diploma
  • One year at a recognised Nigerian University
  • Professional Diploma (Part IV) from the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria
  • Advanced Diploma

You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English.

Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Norway

Typical offer

Norwegian Vitnemal Fra Den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of 4.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Pakistan

Typical offer

You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies.

You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Poland

Typical offer

Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects in the 75th percentile.

 

Portugal

Typical offer

Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark of 16/20.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Romania

Typical offer

Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average of 8.0.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Russia

Typical offer

Applicants who have good grades in the Attestat o Srednem Obrazovami (Certificate of Secondary Education) and who have successfully completed the first year of a Russian University degree, with a minimum GPA of 4.0, will be considered for admission to the first year of our bachelor’s degree courses.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Singapore

Typical offer

A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Slovakia

Typical offer

Pass Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Maturita)  with an average grade of 2.0 from 4 subjects

 

Additional requirements

Please note: Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Slovenia

Typical offer

Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 23 points overall.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Africa

Typical offer

National Senior Certificate with very good grades. 

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Spain

Typical offer

Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result of at least 7.5

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sri Lanka

Typical offer

Sri Lankan A-levels.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sweden

Typical offer

Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include B grades in the majority of subjects.

 

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Switzerland

Typical offer

Federal Maturity Certificate.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Turkey

Typical offer

We'll consider students who have taken the Lise Diplomasi or Lise Bitirme, with a score of at least 4/5 or 80/100 in their final year, on a case by case basis for direct entry to year 1.

Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years

USA

Typical offer

We look at your full profile considering everything you are studying, including the High School Graduation Diploma, Grade 12 GPA, SAT tests and subject tests and/or ACT grades and AP tests. We expect to see a combination of these qualifications.

Alongside your High School Graduation Diploma, we would ideally like to see 3 good AP scores with either, a combined SAT test score (evidence-based reading and writing and mathematics) of 1300, or a combined ACT score of 26

AP and SAT Subject tests

Please check the individual course pages for our typical A-level offer and see below for the corresponding scores we would require from AP test scores:

A Level requirements

AP test grades

AAA

555

AAB

554

ABB

544

BBB

444

 

We will also accept a combination of any 3 AP tests and SAT subject test where a score of 600 in an SAT subject test can be substituted for an AP test in the above table

If you are applying for a degree with an A level subject requirement in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology will normally need to hold an AP test in that subject.

College level credits

We also accept college level 3-credit courses in academic subjects as the equivalent of a UK A Level on a case by case basis.  These can be combined with AP tests and or SAT subject tests

Associate degrees

An Associate degree with a GPA of 3.0 will meet our entry requirements for year 1.

Foundation Year entry

Students who have a High School Diploma and SAT or ACT tests only would be eligible to apply for our Foundation Year

 

 

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

My country is not listed

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about IELTS

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill

Check your Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE) qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill

Check your Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency.

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.

Pearson (PTE Academic)

59 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills.

Check your Pearson (PTE Academic) qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic).

Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing.

Check your TOEFL qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about TOEFL (iBT).

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

 Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% or Grade 3

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A – C in English

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-5 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirements. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Canada**
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • New Zealand
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom
  • USA

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

Admissions information for applicants

Transfers into Year 2

No

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

Don’t meet our entry requirements?

If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:

Course content

This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject.

Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits

Your degree

You’ll be encouraged to address philosophical and political questions about education globally, including questioning your own education. You’ll develop your teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills in collaboration with your tutor and peers.

Teaching

Teaching methods typically include seminars with teacher and student presentations, group work, discussion and interactive activities.

100%: Seminar

Assessment

Assessment methods typically include coursework with a wide range of creative and authentic assessments.

100%: Coursework

Contact hours and workload

This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 165 hours of contact time and about 1,035 hours of independent study.

Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. 

Your modules

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching
  • History, Purpose and Power of Education Globally
  • Human Flourishing: Educating the Whole Child
Spring teaching
  • Education across the Life Course
  • Inclusive Practices: Integrating Pedagogy into Real-World Education

Explore modules from other subjects as part of your course

At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.

As part of this degree, you explore subjects that are different to your course through electives and pathways that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in four electives across Years 1 and 2 helps enrich your learning experience.

Discover our electives and pathways

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2025 for more module details.

Your degree

In addition to your teaching, you’ll develop employability skills by going on a placement in an educational context (40-60 hours) in the area that interests you most – from infant schools to the arts and museums, to refugee, peace-building or community education contexts.

Teaching

Teaching methods typically include seminars with teacher and student presentations, group work, discussion and interactive activities.

100%: Seminar

Assessment

Assessment methods typically include coursework with a wide range of creative and authentic assessments.

100%: Coursework

Contact hours and workload

This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 157 hours of contact time and about 1,043 hours of independent study.

Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. 

Your modules

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching
  • Education and Global Citizenship
  • Education, Democracy and Social Justice
Spring teaching
  • Becoming a Researcher
  • Engaging in an Education Environment

Explore modules from other subjects as part of your course

At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.

As part of this degree, you explore subjects that are different to your course through electives and pathways that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in four electives across Years 1 and 2 helps enrich your learning experience.

Discover our electives and pathways

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2025 for more module details.

Study abroad (optional)

Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you

If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student

Placement (optional)

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.

Find out more about placements and internships

Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Your degree

You’ll gain the confidence to work independently. You’ll conduct a research project, collect and analyse your data, and write up your final dissertation. Your research project could, for example, be linked to your placement in Year 2, researching an area that your partner organisation and you believe needs greater understanding.

Teaching

Teaching methods typically include seminars with teacher and student presentations, group work, discussion and interactive activities.

100%: Seminar

Assessment

Assessment methods typically include coursework with a wide range of creative and authentic assessments.

100%: Coursework

Contact hours and workload

This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 166 hours of contact time and about 1,034 hours of independent study.

Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course. 

Your modules

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Autumn teaching
  • Digital Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
  • Global Literacies and Multilingualism
  • Research-Minded Project
Spring teaching
  • Interprofessional Perspectives on Education: Inequalities, Poverty and Disadvantage
  • Reimagining Education in an Uncertain Age of Change
  • Research-Minded Project

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Check back in January 2025 for more module details.

TEF 2023 silver

Silver

The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)

Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive

Our staff

Education affects everything we do. This degree will help you re-think the importance, place and processes of education. You will explore its different dimensions, including formal and informal learning and local and global contexts.Professor Simon Thompson
Head of the School of Education and Social Work

Fees

Home students:
£9,250 per year
Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
£9,250 per year
International students:
£22,575 per year
Study abroad:
Find out about grants and funding, tuition fees and insurance costs for studying abroad
Placement:
Find out about tuition fees for placements

Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis. Find details on our Tuition fees page.

Additional costs

Note about additional costs

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life.

Placements

Students will need to fund travel to their Year 2 placement and would need to finance accommodation and subsistence should they choose to carry out a placement away from home. Students will not be required to carry out placements away from home.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Scholarships

Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.

Careers

This course will prepare you for careers relating to the broad field of education. This could be anywhere from early years to adult education, and in the UK or globally.

You’ll gain skills and expertise for education-related careers, including:

  • educational research
  • local government and policy
  • community learning and adult education
  • arts or environmental education
  • education welfare
  • education-related work in charity organisations or NGOs, including adult refugee education.

On graduating, some students may choose to enhance their specialist knowledge, progressing to an Education MA, International Education and Development MA or Psychology MSc. Other students may want to train as teachers through a PGCE course.

Working while you study

Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

A-level - contextual offer

BCC

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level - contextual offer

Grade B in A-level and Merit, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels - contextual offer

Grades BC in A-levels and Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma) - contextual offer

DMM

T Level - contextual offer

Merit overall with a grade B in Core Component

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