Key information
UCAS code:
X300
Typical offer:
Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Education nurtures curiosity, stokes ambition and shapes careers. On this BA (Hons) Education Studies top-up degree course, you'll study education as a discipline and gain the skills and knowledge you need to work within education across a range of sectors and professions, with a focus on the education system in the UK.
You'll turn your Level 5 qualification – such as a diploma, teaching apprenticeship or foundation degree – into a full Bachelor's degree. You'll develop a deeper understanding of how people learn, explore education in relation to society and build on your research skills.
Choose to study full time on campus, or part time on campus or by distance learning over 15 months, which enables you to work alongside your course and apply what you learn to your role in real time.
When you graduate, you'll be ready to step up into a career championing education as a lifelong experience, such as in educational practice, professional training, nurseries, youth work or (with further study) teaching.
Course highlights
- Explore cultural, emotional and social learning perspectives of UK education, such as the significance of heritage in the educational experience, societal norms in education, and the role of mentoring within an educational context
- Be taught by expert researchers and practitioners from our School of Education, Languages and Linguistics
- Study full time at the University or on a part time basis alongside your job, either on campus or by distance learning
- Graduate with a full Bachelor's degree that’s valued across the education sector
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
This course is available through Clearing.
How to apply for accommodation
We have a variety of accommodation options, including studios, en-suites, catered, self-catered and private rental options. See how our housing team can help you find a place to call home.
Clearing FAQs
To work out your UCAS points, use our UCAS Calculator to work out how many UCAS points you have.
The tariff calculator will allow you to see what grades you need to get into your preferred course at Portsmouth.
You can apply through Clearing if:
- You don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
- Your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
- You don't hold any offers
- You've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
- You're applying for the first time after 30 June 2024
After we make you an offer we'll send you a confirmation email. This email will let you know what you need to do next and it will tell you what you need to provide us. In some instances we may ask you to send us copies of certificates or you may need to send us a portfolio.
If you've previously applied through UCAS you'll need to use your UCAS Hub to accept our offer by adding us as your Clearing choice.
If you're having issues, please contact us on +44 (0)23 9284 8090 or admissions@port.ac.uk
Once you've accepted your Clearing course offer, we'll be in touch with details of available accommodation in the area. This will include our latest hall availability and support to find local rented accommodation via portsmouthstudentpad.co.uk
See our accommodation page for more information.
No, it's not too late and you should make your application for student finance as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for your results. You can make your application now and just amend it when you know where you're going to be.
If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.
Find out more in our Student finance for Clearing guide.
If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here, you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem.
See more on visa advice.
If you would like further information or guidance, please contact our international office or call our International Clearing Hotline on +44(0)23 9284 8785.
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Education Studies (Top-Up) degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification, for example an appropriate HND, foundation degree or Advanced Diploma, or 240 credits from year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
I really enjoyed this one-year journey, as it has added lots of knowledge and insight to my experiences. It has offered me the opportunity to grow my knowledge about the education system and policies in the UK through the assignments and work we have done.
Careers and opportunities
This education studies top-up degree will give you a solid grounding in the theory and ideas of practice behind education and the way people teach and learn.
It's ideal if you want a versatile Bachelor's degree that will open doors across the education sector and beyond.
Further study
This course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), but it does provide the gateway to study for further postgraduate qualifications, including QTS, early years initial teacher training (EYITT), qualifying social work Master's and other postgraduate courses.
For example, once you graduate with this BA (Hons) Education Studies top-up degree, you could do further postgraduate study to become a teacher via a PGCE course, such as our Primary PGCE or Further Education and Training PGCE.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
What jobs can you do with an education studies top-up degree?
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- teaching in primary education (with further training)
- teaching in colleges (with further training)
- early years teacher (with further training)
- social worker (with further training)
- senior management roles in nurseries
- senior positions in education and training in areas such as nursing and police work
Modules
On this top-up course, you'll study modules worth 120 credits.
Not a fan of exams?
On this course, you won't have to sit any exams. Instead, you'll submit coursework, assignments and presentations to demonstrate your knowledge. Take a look at how you'll be assessed on this course.
Full-time (on campus)
Core modules
You’ll cover the ways that education interacts with identities in the UK and take a comparative approach to other countries.
You’ll also examine issues related to the diversification and cultural dynamics of British life and society within the 21st Century, focusing on the impact of this on educational experience.
What does it mean to be a learner from diverse backgrounds within a multi heritage context?
You’ll evaluate the key features of a range of research methods and their application in educational research.
You’ll gain the knowledge and skills you’ll need to prepare for your work-based learning project or dissertation, including identifying ethical issues and showing how they will be mediated, and present a coherent dissertation or project plan.
You’ll critically explore how to apply leadership and management theory to provide equitable services for children and families.
By reflecting on your emerging professional identity, you’ll evaluate your impact on decision-making to drive positive change.
You’ll explore best practices on active listening, analytical thinking, trust building and conflict resolution, and tailor personalised development plans targeting mindsets, behaviours or knowledge gaps.
You’ll also review evidence-based coaching psychology frameworks and how they apply across corporate and educational contexts.
It's up to you what your dissertation or project is about – this will be your chance to showcase your passion for education by choosing a subject area or topic that most interests you.
You'll draw on everything you’ve learned so far to investigate, analyse, craft and refine your dissertation or project, using existing texts, sources and artefacts to support your arguments and give them context. You'll have the support of a dedicated dissertation tutor to guide you throughout this module.
Part-time (on campus or distance learning)
Core modules
You’ll cover the ways that education interacts with identities in the UK and take a comparative approach to other countries.
You’ll also examine issues related to the diversification and cultural dynamics of British life and society within the 21st Century, focusing on the impact of this on educational experience.
What does it mean to be a learner from diverse backgrounds within a multi heritage context?
You’ll evaluate the key features of a range of research methods and their application in educational research.
You’ll gain the knowledge and skills you’ll need to prepare for your work-based learning project or dissertation, including identifying ethical issues and showing how they will be mediated, and present a coherent dissertation or project plan.
You’ll critically explore how to apply leadership and management theory to provide equitable services for children and families.
By reflecting on your emerging professional identity, you’ll evaluate your impact on decision-making to drive positive change.
You’ll explore best practices on active listening, analytical thinking, trust building and conflict resolution, and tailor personalised development plans targeting mindsets, behaviours or knowledge gaps.
You’ll also review evidence-based coaching psychology frameworks and how they apply across corporate and educational contexts.
It's up to you what your dissertation or project is about – this will be your chance to showcase your passion for education by choosing a subject area or topic that most interests you.
You'll draw on everything you’ve learned so far to investigate, analyse, craft and refine your dissertation or project, using existing texts, sources and artefacts to support your arguments and give them context. You'll have the support of a dedicated dissertation tutor to guide you throughout this module.
Core modules
It's up to you what your dissertation or project is about – this will be your chance to showcase your passion for education by choosing a subject area or topic that most interests you.
You'll draw on everything you’ve learned so far to investigate, analyse, craft and refine your dissertation or project, using existing texts, sources and artefacts to support your arguments and give them context. You'll have the support of a dedicated dissertation tutor to guide you throughout this module.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
The tutors happily supported students and their opportunities to grow and learn no matter how challenging the situation was, they were always there.
Assessment
There are no exams on this course - you'll be assessed through coursework only.
Your coursework may include:
- presentations
- essays
- reports
- dissertation
You’ll receive ongoing feedback from your course lecturers to help you develop throughout the course.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- group activities
You'll get feedback throughout and get one-on-one support from your personal tutor.
You can access all teaching resources anytime from your smartphone, laptop or desktop computer on Moodle, our virtual learning environment.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your BA Education Studies top-up degree.
You'll spend time in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops.
If you choose to study full-time on campus, you'll attend sessions on one evening a week, plus two dissertation sessions and an occasional additional session online in a study group.
If you study part-time on campus, you'll attend sessions on one evening a week, with an extended period to complete your dissertation.
The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
If you study this course by distance learning, you'll get lots of support via video and phone from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.
If you choose to study on campus, you'll also get face-to-face support. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
Note that if you're an EU and International student, you can only apply for this course if you don't require a Student Route Visa.
Full time (on campus)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £16,200 per year (subject to annual increase)
Part time (on campus)
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Year 1 (80 credits): £4,240
- Year 2 (40 credits): £2,120
EU Students (including Transition Scholarship)
- Year 1 (80 credits): £4,240
- Year 2 (40 credits): £2,120
International students
- Year 1 (80 credits): £10,800
- Year 2 (40 credits): £5,400
Part time (distance learning)
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
- Year 1 (80 credits): £4,240
- Year 2 (40 credits): £2,120
EU Students (including Transition Scholarship)
- Year 1 (80 credits): £4,240
- Year 2 (40 credits): £2,120
International students
- Year 1 (80 credits): £4,240
- Year 2 (40 credits): £2,120
Fees may be subject to annual increase.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional course costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 units a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each unit.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
Note that if you're an EU and International student, you can only apply for this course if you don't require a Student Route Visa.
Ready to apply?
To start this course full time in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – X300
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
To start this course part time in 2025, use our online application forms below. Our courses fill up quickly, so submit your application as soon as you decide which course you want to study.
Apply to study part-time on campus
Apply to study part-time by distance learning
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.