Education and Biology

Education and Biology - BSc (Hons)

Combine historical and contemporary issues in education with scientific and practical skills in biology with our combined honours Education and Biology course. Develop the expertise needed for a career within a variety of sectors, from research and policy making, to practitioner or teaching.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2022 entry see here

Course type

Combined Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

School of Life Sciences Social, Political and Global Studies

UCAS code

CX13

Duration of study

3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

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Why study Education and Biology at Keele University?

5th for Student Satisfaction in England for Biology (National Student Survey, 2021)

Professional accreditation pathway in Biology is available

Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic natural environment to learn a variety of fieldwork skills and complete research projects

Global Top 300 for Education (THE World University Subject Rankings, 2022)

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art laboratories

Course overview

Choosing our combined honours in Education and Biology will allow you to develop skills and experience in two engaging and exciting subjects.

Education combines the theoretical understanding and practical application of education with its influence on individuals and society. You will explore its historical evolution, contemporary issues, and how professionals operate in the education sector, from policy making to teaching. You will become an independent researcher, with the ability to critically analyse and communicate effectively, building valuable skills for a career in education, teaching or related fields. 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.

You will critically evaluate what education means to individuals and 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.

Most of society's global challenges are connected to biology - from assessing the effect of medication on the human body to exploring methods to prevent species extinction. Studying Biology covers a range of fundamentals, as well as topics including physiology and anatomy, ecology and plant biology, and and microbes, viruses and parasites. To equip you with the scientific skills needed for your future career, you will have access to our state-of-the-art David Attenborough Laboratories and Central Science Laboratories, to develop your practical, analytical, observational and interpretative skills.

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 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.

International Year

In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend time studying abroad. This exciting opportunity will enable you to understand your field from different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.

Support

We offer a multi layered support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. Our open-door policy enables you to engage with us directly, meaning you can seek support, gain feedback or discuss any matters on a regular basis. You will benefit from the support of the dedicated Faculty Student Experience and Support team who offer advice, guidance and one to one support to students.

Societies

We have a wealth of student-led societies which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to your field is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies. This is another excellent way of demonstrating your genuine interest for the area and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to meet like-minded people, make friends and share interests with fellow students.

Next Steps

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Learn a language Placement year International year Study abroad GCP Elective Pathways Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

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

A Level requirement ABC/BBB
To include 1 science A level. Science subjects include: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Food Science/Technology, Further Maths, Geography, Geology, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Sports Science and Statistics.

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DDM in a Science based subject.
BTEC Subsidary in Applied Science accepted.
You must also have taken sufficient Science credits, please contact us for advice.

International Baccalaureate

30 points to include Higher Level Science at 5 or above.

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. To include sufficient Science units, please contact us for advice.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

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.

Next Steps

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"Education at Keele has prepared me for the world of teaching. I have delved into new areas of pedagogy and am more intrigued about teaching than ever. I am leaving Keele a more engaged, confident, and keen learner with a newfound passion for special educational needs and disabilities. "

Isobel, Astrophysics and Education

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Sector-leading in sustainability education

At Keele we're leading the sector in sustainability, not just in our ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2030 but also through our teaching and our ground-breaking research into climate change and renewable technologies.

In 2021 we were awarded the prestigious title of Global Sustainability Institution of the Year
(International Green Gown Awards).

Find out more about Keele’s commitment to sustainability.

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Your future career

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

You will graduate with a strong set of transferable skills suited to a range of roles in the science, education and health sectors. You may wish to explore a career in teaching or other organisations engaged with training, support and learning. You will gain key transferable skills in communication which will help you to engage well with students and fellow professionals. You may also wish to further your knowledge by progressing to postgraduate study.

Careers an Education and Biology graduate might pursue include:

Teaching
Environmental consultant
Ecologist
Marine biologist
Medical publishing
Microbiologist
Pharmaceutical sales
Postgraduate study
Social Work
Youth Work
Politics
Journalism
Business
Further study

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. 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.

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

Next Steps

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Learn from our campus - our own 'living laboratory'

Fieldwork is embedded into core modules throughout your studies to help you acquire key skills in surveying organism distributions and the identification of specimens. Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic experimentation environment to perform fieldwork, test new ideas and discover solutions to real-world problems. It's also a great way to foster connections with academics and peers and apply your learning to real-world situations. From our lake system, grasslands and woodlands to local zoos and nature reserves, you will have the opportunity to study in an authentic environment whilst practicing in a sustainable manner.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching and learning quality

Diversity, flexibility and inclusivity is at the heart of our teaching. The student voice helps us to shape what we do and we include students and local employers in our decision-making process.

Teaching in Education

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
Tutorials
Workshops
Seminars
Web-based learning

These teaching methods will enhance your experience, allowing you to share your knowledge and expertise.

Assessment in Education

You will engage with various assessment methods which may include:

Essays
Reports
Presentations
Reviews/analysis
Portfolio

Teaching structure in Biology

We offer a hybrid delivery of teaching. Our core content is designed for online learning and this aims to provide you with the space and flexibility to digest at your own pace and to ask questions anonymously. To complement core virtual learning, laboratory practicals, tutorials, seminars and workshops will take place on-campus.
Methods of teaching include:

Fieldwork
Laboratory practicals
Live, campus-based seminars
Live, campus-based tutorials and workshops
Online lectures

Assessment in Biology

From creating a social media campaign and writing a manifesto to carrying out a habitat survey -the assessment methods within our programme aim to give you experience of work-related activities you will likely undertake in graduate roles.
Methods of assessment include:

Blogs or oral presentations
Final year independent research project
Habitat surveys
Journal clubs
Laboratory or fieldwork reports or research projects
Manifestos
On-campus fieldwork
Online end-of-year open-book exams
Online tests
Portfolio or literature reviews
Problem-based learning
Scientific posters

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Central Science Laboratories

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

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 undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

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) Biology and Education degree. For example, the Foundations of Life Sciences module looks at basic cell biology in terms of structure and function and goes on to examine how cells obtain their energy and raw materials. It considers how organisms interact and analyses the effect of climate change on ecosystems. In addition, the Foundations of Social Sciences 1 module introduces you to the ‘backbone’ of social sciences, the concept of social inclusion, the factors that lead to exclusion and the impact this may have on individuals, families and communities. 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.

Semester One Modules

FYO-00185	Practical and Academic Skills in Science	15 credits
FYO-00211	Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists	15 credits
FYO-00263	Foundations of Social Sciences	15 credits
FYO-00197	Foundations of Life Sciences	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00199	Advancing Life Sciences	30 credits
FYO-00269	Advancing Social Sciences	30 credits

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

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 Biology with Foundation Year (UCAS code C103) 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.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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