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Education with Psychology BA(Hons)

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    Overview

    What impact does emotional wellbeing have on a young person's learning? How can psychological theory be applied to support learners in a range of educational contexts? This course explores these questions and more.

    Designed to help you develop your skills to help you get ahead in learner support, counselling, mentoring, educational psychology and more, our Education with Psychology BA(Hons) is a recognised progression route to primary and lifelong learning (post-14) teacher training.

    Why study Education with Psychology BA(Hons)

    The course structure enables you to choose from a wide range of modules, giving you the opportunity to develop your interests. The benefit of taking Education with Psychology is that you’ll explore social sciences too, to develop vital psychology skills; the psychological element of the course is designed to help unlock your potential, by discovering and understanding people’s needs.

    You’ll be taught alongside students on other courses in education and social sciences, too, allowing for an enriched learning experience in both subject areas.

    In the summer term of your first or second year, you’ll be encouraged and supported to undertake voluntary work experience to contextualise your learning. There's an option module in the second year called Psychology and the World of Work – and if you take this module, you'll complete a work placement and reflect on your experience to support your future career progression.

    Education at Huddersfield is top in Yorkshire* for Assessment and Feedback, too, scoring 90 per cent, based on experimental statistics from the National Student Survey 2023.

    Following successful completion of the course, you could go on to work in learner support, counselling, mentoring, educational psychology and more. The top five job titles advertised in the UK for graduate roles associated with Education (Early Years) BA(Hons) are Nursery Practitioners, Early Years Practitioners, Early Years Teachers, Nursery Assistants and Nursery Managers.**

    *Institutions in Yorkshire with turnover of over £100 million.

    **Lightcast data extracted from Graduate Career Explorer – job postings from Dec 2023 to Nov 2024 showing jobs advertised associated with a selection of relevant graduate.

    Entry requirements

    BBC-BCC at A Level .

    112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

    Merit in T Level

    DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
    • 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

    In addition you must have GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.

    If you choose to undertake the optional work placement module in Year 2, you may need satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearances prior to undertaking the placement. Any required DBS checks will be the responsibility of the student and placement provider.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    Theories and Strategies for Learning

    This module introduces you to a variety of key skills intended to support your transition into higher education. The module encourages the development of academic study and communication skills necessary for success on your course along with academic tenacity and resilience. It encourages you to harness your organisation skills, have aspirations and develop self-efficacy.

    Contemporary Childhoods

    This module explores concepts of childhood and youth and how psychology, sociology, history and philosophy contribute to understanding the experience of childhood.

    Child Development

    You'll study the major perspectives and methodologies in child development. The module focuses on applied settings such as education, the mental health system, the criminal justice system and the wider social world. You'll consider how developmental concepts have influenced the work of professionals in understanding development. The module will also help you in your transition to studying at degree level.

    Introduction to Social Psychology and Personality

    In this module you will study Personality and Social Psychology. The module addresses three important questions. How do psychologists study personality? How do psychologists study individual and group behaviours, such as attitudes and language? Is Personality best understood as originating in constitutional or social factors?

    Introducing Counselling Theory

    You'll be introduced to the main counselling theories (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and person-centred) and explore how they relate to helping skills within the Egan model of helping. You'll explore the counselling theories using exercises and case studies in order to develop an understanding of the different approaches.

    Core modules:

    Safeguarding Children and Young People

    Raise your awareness of current legislation, policies and procedures which exist to promote children and young people’s rights and to keep them safe. Knowledge, skills and qualities required to work with children, young people, their families and carers and other professionals in safeguarding contexts. Critically explores broader safeguarding concepts (such as CSE and PREVENT).

    Philosophical Approaches to Education

    This module explores the impact of different philosophical systems on the way that education is conceived and put into practice. You will have the opportunity to design an ideal educational system based on your own unique philosophy and representing your own values.

    Social Psychology and Personality

    You'll be supported to build on your knowledge of social psychology and personality psychology through lectures and seminars. You'll consider some of the key issues we face in our world today, including crowds and social conflict, group processes and identity and close relationships.

    Developmental Psychology and Professional Development

    In the developmental psychology part of the module you'll be supported to build on your knowledge of human development across the lifespan in a variety of contexts. You'll learn about different methodological approaches to studying human development and how to critique them. In the professional development part of the module, you'll reflect on your personal and professional skills development and how psychology-related skills can be used beyond university.

    Option modules:

    Choose one from a list which may include:

    Psychology and the World of Work

    On this module you’ll complete a period of work (either paid or voluntary). You’ll also explore the value of your degree in the workplace, reflect on your experience, and acquire career planning skills.

    Advanced Theories of Counselling

    You'll have the opportunity to build on your knowledge of broad counselling perspectives developed in Year 1, by exploring in greater detail different approaches to counselling. This may include examining cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, humanist-existential, systemic and constructionist approaches. You'll critically reflect on the implications of these differing perspectives for practice.

    Contemporary Debates in Gender and Sexuality

    You’ll explore areas of psychology that relate to gender and sexuality through the study of published literature and will attend lectures based on a variety of topical areas of interest in the study of gender and sexuality.

    Core modules:

    Planning Your Final Year Project

    This module will help you to learn how to design and conduct a final year project. It does this by exploring a range of research and design approaches, strategies and methods. The module helps you to design a project that utilises your knowledge and abilities, carry it out and evaluate its outcomes. Your final year project will focus on an empirical research, policy or practice development, documentary research, policy analysis, entrepreneurship activity, or other options in negotiation with your tutor. The module guides you towards gaining a thorough, critical understanding of project planning and evaluation, research protocols, methods, ethics and ways of doing data analysis. By the end of the module you’ll be confident and capable of designing your own rigorous and valid project.

    Final Year Project

    This module allows you to pursue your academic and work-related interests and to demonstrate the breadth of knowledge, understanding, and strengths that you have developed during your degree studies. You will review critical understanding of project planning and evaluation, research protocols, methods, ethics, and analysis. You will be supported in the selection of a focus for your final project, in the development of an application for ethical approval, and at each stage of your study. Your final year project will focus on an empirical research, policy or practice development, documentary research, policy analysis, entrepreneurship activity, or other options in negotiation with your tutor. This module is your opportunity to work together with a supervisor to confidently and rigorously undertake a valid project.

    Students must select either Specialist Option Block A or Specialist Option Block B.

    Specialist Block A:

    Choose two from a list which may include:

    Health and Wellbeing

    Through this module you’ll explore different aspects of the health and well-being of children and young people and become equipped to evaluate the wider public health agenda, national trends and supporting legislation. Assessment is typically via research, presentation, discussion and written evaluation.

    Critical Approaches to Inclusive Education

    You will examine definitions and different understandings of inclusion and models of disability, considering a national and global context. You will explore the impact these different definitions and models have on educational policy and practice. You will critically analyse current approaches to inclusion in a range of settings. You will develop your understanding of approaches to inclusive planning, teaching and assessment that ensures accessibility, challenge and achievability for all pupils.

    Supporting Social, Emotional and Mental Health in Education

    This module explores the context of and responses to a range of social, emotional and mental health needs in educational settings. Your understanding of different techniques that can be used to promote positive social, emotional and mental health plus behaviours for learning will be developed. You will explore causes of social, emotional and mental health needs, and look at how these can lead to dysregulated behaviour as well as the way that emotional and other difficulties can be recognised in one-to-one, small group encounters and whole class contexts. You will also consider theoretical aspects of supporting positive social, emotional and mental health, alongside behaviour management.

    Specialist Block B:

    Choose three from a list which may include:

    Psychological Difficulties and Clinical Psychology

    This module explores psychological difficulties and ways in which clinical psychologists (and psychiatrists) have tried to understand, explain and manage behaviour that is perceived as ‘abnormal’ or ‘atypical’. You'll study the classification and management of different mental illnesses, such as personality disorders, eating disorders and schizophrenia. You'll be introduced to the diagnosis and aetiology of the mental illnesses by considering biological, psychological and social perspectives in understanding these difficulties. You'll also examine current research on the specific conditions and how this can help inform understanding of the illness, diagnosis and treatment.

    Personal Relationships

    You'll study contemporary psychological research and theories of personal and intimate relationships. This will include material on different perspectives on personal relationships, physical attractiveness and attraction, how people form, maintain and end intimate relationships, sex differences in relationship behaviour, online relationships, and attachment and self-esteem in intimate relationships.

    Psychology of Education

    The complex factors which interact to construct learning will be explored, using a mix of psychological theories and their influence on educational policy in schools and on further and higher education. You'll be supported to develop an understanding of how different people are enabled and disabled, in participating in learning and education.

    The Science of Living Well

    This module provides an in-depth exploration of the science behind personal wellbeing and how to live well. You’ll explore the various evidence-based dimensions of wellbeing, including factors such as emotional awareness, personal relationships and importance and benefits of healthy habits (e.g. digital wellbeing, diet, sleep, exercise and healthy coping strategies). Through a combination of lectures, discussions, interactive activities, and assignments, you’ll have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to wellbeing and develop practical strategies to enhance your own wellbeing and that of others.

    This course has modules making up 180 credits over the 3 years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (3600  hours in total). An average approximately* 14% (400 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors face to face or online in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and workshops. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessments takes place through a variety of exams and coursework.

    Subject to mode of study. *Based on current core modules.

    Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.

    Teaching

    The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

    Feedback

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    Progression

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Discover more about the course

    Your Career

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    Student Support

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    Further Study

    Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.

    Research Excellence

    See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    Equal opportunities

    The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

    Data protection

    The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

    Students’ Union membership

    Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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