Develop a theoretical understanding of education with its influence on individuals and society together with solid knowledge of the software systems of the future. You will gain insight into the historical evolution of the education sector, and competency in the latest tools and technology, preparing you for a successful career in developing fields. This course will also help to prepare you for a wide range of careers including teaching at secondary level, with the potential to progress onto teacher training programmes in the future.
(Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings, 2022)
Work placement opportunities
Network with professionals and build key transferable skills, preparing you for employment
Access a wide range of equipment
including supercomputer facilities, a VR lab and a Maker Space
Student testimonials
Course content
Studying a combined honours degree in Education and Computer Science allows you to develop a wide range of expertise and skills in two evolving and contemporary subjects.
Education at Keele explores the nature of learning as well as core elements including policy, teaching and practice. You will actively engage with discussions around various topics such as psychological, sociological and cultural influences in education, and consider how these may evolve in the future. You will explore key issues and challenges associated with teaching and learning at different levels, such as primary and secondary education.
The programme allows you to critically evaluate what education means to individuals and to consider important scenarios around the roles and responsibilities of teachers. You will explore how children learn and analyse contemporary assessment methods. You will consider key factors such as age, the support a student may receive in a range of educational settings, as well as the influence of technology that plays a crucial role in their learning.
You will be able to complement your learning in education with a solid foundation on the use and development of software systems. Our research-informed modules in the School of Computing and Mathematics will address the key themes that underpin modern computing, from programming best practices to the use of the latest tools and technology. You will also learn how Computer Science can be applied to help solve real-world problems and the significance this subject has in businesses and organisations of today's society
You will develop various transferable skills as well building a foundation of knowledge in the the principle areas of Computer Science from concepts to modelling. Practical skills in software development will enable you to practice what you have learnt and prepare you for an exciting career after university.
Work Placement Module in the School of Social, Political and Global Studies
In the School of Social, Political and Global Studies, you may have the opportunity to apply for a placement module to develop your knowledge and skills in professional environments. This may include opportunities to experience teaching and learning in Primary, Secondary and Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools. During this experience, you would observe and assist with classroom activities and develop your practical and professional skills in the company of professionals and learners in different age and development stages. We have a wide range of contacts with local schools in the area where you can gain this valuable hands-on experience in the education sector.
Please note: There are limited spaces on this module.
Work Placement Year
On this course, you will have the opportunity to opt for a Work Placement Year, aligned to either Education or Computer Science. This will allow you to apply your knowledge and practical skills in a workplace environment enabling you to build key skills in communication, teamwork and project management. You will be able to demonstrate your abilities and creative thinking, working with fellow professionals as well as independently.
You will be supported by staff in your preparation to apply for a work placement that suits your interests and career prospects. This opportunity will allow you develop both personally and professionally during your studies which will assist you in your employment after university.
Gain industry experience in Computer Science
In addition to work placement opportunities and paid internships, summer research projects and practical modules, there are many opportunities available throughout the curriculum to develop and enhance your practical skills. Paid or voluntary experience in your area of interest will not only demonstrate your commitment and passion, but will also enable you to make meaningful connections by networking with experts in the field.
Please note: If you wish to opt for a Work Placement Year, you will be required to choose an opportunity aligned to either Education or Computer Science.
Study abroad
International Semester or Year
Enhance your career prospects with an International Year at one of our partner institutions. Utilising this opportunity between 2nd and 3rd year can help you to stand out from the crowd and broaden your horizons, potentially working across the globe.
Alternatively, you may choose to study abroad for just a semester in your second year which will count towards your second-year grades. Our Global Opportunities team will support you through the process, ensuring you are able to get the most out of your international experience.
This can be highly beneficial for your career prospects and through experiencing different cultures; you will not only grow as an individual, but you will also strengthen your knowledge and interests within society. You can find more information here.
Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Keele University strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for all. Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are core values underpinning the University’s mission to making a difference in society by providing innovative, high-quality education for students from all backgrounds and by undertaking world-leading research that transforms understanding and brings benefit to society, communities and individuals.
The School of Computing and Mathematics are proud to hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition for their activities under the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda. Their approach actively aims to ensure that all activities are organised so that everyone is made to feel safe and welcome, and that diversity is encouraged. We believe that this attitude is vital to help everyone flourish and feel valued for who they are. To achieve this, we promote fair treatment for all, irrespective of gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, relationship status, caring responsibilities, race, religion or belief.
RELATED COURSES
A Combined Honours degree in Education means studying approximately half of your degree in Education and the remainder in another subject. If you are considering a career in secondary school teaching you will be required to take at least 40% of your degree in the subject you want to teach so this could be a great option to prepare you for your career. At Keele, Education can be studied in the following combinations:
Our Course Information Documents (CIDs) are designed to give you all of the details you need to make an informed decision about what and where to study.
Education provides an array of diverse teaching styles to ensure you have a strong understanding of the subject area. Our aim is to equip you with the necessary skills to assist you throughout your studies, in preparation for your career.
You will develop key analytical and presentation skills as well as the ability to engage with important discussions with academics and peers. This will help you to construct and form strong arguments.
You will be taught through various methods including:
Lectures
Workshops
Seminars
Web-based learning
These teaching methods will enhance your experience, allowing you to share your knowledge and expertise.
You will engage with various assessment methods which may include:
Examinations
Essays
Research Design Projects
Workshops
Portfolios
Reports
Presentations
Reviews/analysis
Teaching and assessment in Computer Science
Interactive learning
We embrace a modern approach to learning that includes a balanced mixture of immersive lectures and lab-based sessions. Each taught module will include traditional lectures with all support material provided via our virtual learning environment and our labs are also offer remote accessibility. Learning and teaching methods used on the programme vary according to the subject matter and level of the module.
Teaching methods may include:
Group project sessions
Practical sessions
Traditional lecturers
Tutorials
Web-based learning
Assessments
Assessments are formulated to represent real world use cases and problems and to challenge your knowledge of the subject matters in realistic scenarios. Teaching staff pay particular attention to specifying clear assessment criteria and providing timely, regular and constructive feedback.
Assessment methods may include:
Class tests
Coursework
Dissertations
Short reports
Unseen examinations
Video and oral presentations
Entry requirements
Keele is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. On that basis we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria.
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom and International students.
A LEVEL REQUIREMENTS
BBC
GCSE REQUIREMENTS
Mathematics at C (or 4)
English Language/Literature at C (or 4)
BTEC
DMM
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
29 points
ACCESS TO HE DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.
PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.
These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.
Foundation year
You may choose to study this course via foundation year.
If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.
Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.
The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into the BSc Education and Computer Science course, our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree.
Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years’ experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you’ll study on campus, joining our community from the outset, and you will have access to a range of support.
Read on to find out about:
Foundation Year indicative modules for the September intake
Foundation Year entry requirements
How to apply
UCAS code for this course
The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.
COURSE CONTENT
Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.
The Keele Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Education and Computer Science degree. All of the modules you take will prove useful in your degree and professional career.
Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.
Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.
COURSE STRUCTURE
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.
Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
Relevant work experience
AND
GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)
AND
GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above
HOW TO APPLY
Students should apply for BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Foundation Year (UCAS code G401) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team.
DIRECT ENTRY STUDENTS
If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.
Information for students returning to education
We are interested in a broad range of qualities, not just your points on entry. We would like to learn more about you, your interests, experiences and motivation to study.
We would be delighted to talk to you about your work experience (paid or voluntary) and qualifications, and help you to explore your options for study with us.
Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.
We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.
96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)
A degree in Education and Computer Science will help to prepare you for a wide range of careers. You will be equipped with key skills in critical analysis, communication and problem-solving, all of which are most important in the education sector and computing related industries.
You may wish to explore a career in teaching or other organisations engaged with training, support and learning, enabling you to effectively engage with students and teaching staff. Alternatively, you may be interested in pursuing a career in computing related areas that require innovation and creative thinking whilst working independently and with a team of professionals.
You may consider a career such as:
Teaching
Social Work
Youth Work
Politics
Journalism
Business
AI Data Analyst
Big Data Engineer
Cyber Security Analyst
DevOps engineer
Forensic Computer Analyst
Games Developer
Information Systems Manager
IT Consultant
Multimedia Programmer
Network Engineer
Research Scientist
Software Engineer
Systems Analyst
UX Designer
Please note you may need to take further postgraduate study to enter some of the professions listed above.
Enhance your employability
Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.
From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
Computational teaching will take place in Keele’s state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories (CSL) and the Colin Reeves Building, home to the School of Computing and Mathematics.
Our Central Science Laboratories house world-class facilities. You will benefit from transformational teaching in a space designed to encourage and enable collaborative and interdisciplinary working.
During your studies you will have access to a suite of facilities within the School. These include;
You will also have the opportunity to gain out of hours entry to the building that houses the School's computer laboratories (subject to the request, approval and collection of a key fob).
There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course. Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.
