Course content

Studying Education and History at Keele will enable you to develop your appreciation of various global histories and how education has evolved whilst enjoying the rich history of our local area. In your spare time, you might find yourself exploring the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon metalwork most likely deposited in the 7th century in the then Kingdom of Mercia. The Staffordshire Hoard provides a window to England in the 6th and 7th centuries and also to the warrior elite that existed during these times and now rests less than 5 miles away from Keele.

Education at Keele is distinctive because of its strong focus on contemporary issues in education and policy making. You will explore educational topics such as the nature of learning, the history of education, and changes to educational policies and practices. You'll consider Education's relationship to the economy, its historical evolution, its impact on people’s life chances and identities, how education is organised, and how learners learn. We aim to introduce you to many of the big questions concerning education and schooling both in the UK and also internationally. Why do we go to school? What should we learn? How should we learn it? What is the main aim of education? You will explore the ways in which education has been central to social and political change around the world.

Alongside this, you’ll develop an understanding of different approaches to history, developing a range of methods used in their pursuit. The programme will carry you chronologically from the medieval period to the present, and span the globe. You will be introduced to a wide range of history – from political, social, economic and cultural history to the history of gender, health, sexuality and religion. Throughout your first year, you may engage in modules that encourage you to explore topics such as how European rulers tried to strengthen their authority with the increase of military power between the late fifteenth and late seventeenth centuries, or some of the key defining moments in History which may include the 1720 South Sea Bubble in Britain, the 1791 Haitian Revolution or the 1933 Bauhaus movement. 

Enhancing Your Employability

We are committed to ensuring you graduate from Keele with a highly desired diverse skill-set to support your employability. Opportunities for you to develop these skills are embedded throughout our Education and History programme.

• Our second-year optional module “Work Placement in the Humanities” will allow you to gain invaluable work experience by putting your theory into practice. Previous Humanities placement students have worked in Museums and also within the Education sector. 
  
  
• All Education programmes at Keele, whether Single or Combined Honours, have the option of a placement module in which you spend time in a local Primary, Secondary or Special Educational Needs (SEN) school, observing and helping out with classroom activity. We have a wide range of contacts with local schools in the area and can also put you in touch with them for you to enhance your time with us and build up vital in-school experience.

Work Placement Year

On this course, you will have the opportunity to opt for a Work Placement Year in either subject between Year 2 and 3. 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 to develop both personally and professionally during your studies which will assist you in your employment after university.

Learn a Language and Study Abroad Opportunities

Whether you are a complete beginner, or already have a foundation of knowledge, we offer a flexible and guided route to help you learn a language or enhance your existing skills. We currently offer British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. Upon successful completion of a series of elective language modules, you will have the opportunity to gain an enhanced degree title.

You'll also have the chance to study abroad at one of our partner institutions enabling you to broaden your knowledge whilst experiencing a new culture. You may look to study in Australia, Canada or Asia to name a few possible destinations. Our Global Opportunities team will support you through the process, ensuring you are able to get the most out of your international experience. We are partnered with many institutions across the world enabling you to further develop your appreciation and awareness of other cultures and societies. 

It is also possible to undertake an International Year between Year 2 and Year 3. You will have the opportunity to spend the two semesters of the international year at one partner university or one semester at one university and the second semester at another. On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with a degree title ‘with International Year’.

RELATED COURSES

Education can be studied as a Single or Combined Honours degree. 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. 

• Education and Astrophysics
• Education and Biology
• Education and Chemistry
• Education and Computer Science
• Education and English Literature
• Education and Geography
• Education and Mathematics
• Education and Philosophy
• Education and Physics
• Education and Sociology

History can also be studied as a Single or Combined Honours degree:

• Criminology and History
• English Literature and History
• Geography and History
• History (SH)
• History and International Relations
• History and Politics
• History and Psychology

You may also be interested in:

• Education (SH)
• Psychology and Education (SH)

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.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Fees and funding

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.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

When you graduate, as well as the opportunity to pursue further academic study you might choose to do a PGCE and become a teacher or lecturer.  Students who have studied these disciplines have entered a wide variety of careers including local government, media and communications, sales and marketing, banking, and the legal profession.

There are also opportunities to work in museums, art and community centres.

If you are thinking of a career in teaching, Keele’s Language Centre offers a variety of language courses. You may also graduate with an enhanced degree with foreign language competency or an internationally recognised qualification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). For further information, visit our Language Centre.

Previous employers

• Primary and Secondary Education
• Home Office
• National Railway Museum
• Prospero Teaching
• Capita
• Cooperative Bank
• Higher Education
• RBS
• Local Government
• Tesco

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Primary Teacher
• Secondary Teacher
• FE Lecturer
• Special Needs Teacher
• Early Years Teacher
• Learning Mentor
• History Teacher
• Academic Librarian
• Archivist
• Museum Curator
• Heritage Manager
• Researcher
• Information Officer
• Records Manager

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.