Education/Food & Nutrition

Education in BA/BSc - Combined Award

Education Studies is one of the fastest growing subjects in universities today. The subject at Bath Spa was one of the first to be developed and is now nationally recognised for its exciting and innovative approach to Education. We are one of the largest providers in Education in the country with other 600 students and so we can offer a very wide choice of study. The study of Education at Bath Spa has a high quality rating from the Quality Assurance Agency.

You can take Education in the Combined Awards Degree alongside a second subject of your choice and you can take it as a major, joint or minor award depending on your interests.

Career Opportunities

Education Studies itself is not a teacher training course, but it will prepare you very well for entry to a PGCE teacher training programme, either primary or secondary. It helps you with knowledge of the curriculum, schools and teaching and education policy. It will also give you a broad and critical analysis of the education system and how it works. All this is good for future teachers and you will be better informed with a background in education.

Alternatively, if you don't want to be a teacher, studying education will prepare you for one of the many alternative careers in education. Many companies and organisations now want people who know about education, schools and universities and offer posts such as, education officer, education adviser, educational researcher. There are also many opportunities for posts in various kinds of training which do not require qualified teacher status.

In addition, studying education will give you a range of skills which will equip you for a wide range of careers. You will be able to organise and manage groups, work in professional situations and negotiate and liaise with people, present information in written and oral form, analyse situations and handle data.

The University College offers a Masters Degree in Education Studies and you may be interested in applying for that course at the end of your undergraduate studies.

Food Studies - Combined Award

Is this the right course for me?

The behaviour of food is a fascinating area and will always be one which evolves and develops continuously. The largest and most important economic activity in the world is the safe production and distribution of food, including agriculture, fisheries and related services. One has to ensure good agricultural yields and reliable storage, successful processing and safe handling of all types of food in order to maintain the health and welfare of people. The food industry along with its associated industries requires well-qualified and experienced specialists who can play their part in the complex and increasingly sophisticated food supply system.

What career options will I have when I?ve finished my degree?

The food industry, consumer organisations and enforcement agencies need graduates who have a balanced and informed view of food provision. They value the practical skills developed by this award which puts the Bath Spa University College graduate in a position to make a positive contribution towards the provision of safe and wholesome food. Recent graduates have pursued careers in the food industry, local government, voluntary organisations, the health service and education.

How will I be taught?

Class sizes are small and hence the opportunity for individual support is enhanced. You will learn through a variety of teaching techniques: lectures; seminars; case studies; practical workshops; and educational visits. In Year 1 workshop programmes in both laboratory and IT skills are designed to give you the transferable skills that will enhance your studies in Years 2 and 3.The curriculum is supported by a number of external speakers from a variety of occupations in the food industry who regularly contribute to the programme.

Can I study for my degree part-time?

A number of students enrol on the part-time route each year, we particularly welcome part-time applicants who want to combine their degree with existing work commitments.

Will I be able to gain practical experience?

Your studies will equip you with important practical skills not only in laboratory techniques, but also in data handling and problem solving, use of IT, and communication skills such as presentations and report writing. The majority of modules have associated practical classes. During their second year all students undertake a work placement, which allows them to explore potential career opportunities. In your final year will undertake an independent study which will further enhance your transferable skills.

Will I have the opportunity to do an industrial placement?
All students must undertake a work placement in Year 2. We encourage and help students who want to break up their academic studies by taking time out to gain relevant work experience; however, there is no formal sandwich element in this course.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed in a variety of ways (essays, reports, case studies, seminar presentations, examinations, group work, and literature reviews) to ensure that a range of abilities and skills are examined; not just the ability to answer exam questions.

Objectives

Subject aims

The strength Bath Spa's provision in Education is the breadth of the study which is offered. We believe that education is a powerful force for change in the world and our approach is a global one. We look at learning and development in individuals, schools and classrooms, but we also examine the big issues: What is education for? How can it make a better world? How can it enhance human rights? Does education relate to the economy?

When you have studied Education you will understand how the education system works and the politics of education; who takes decisions about the curriculum and what we learn. You will have a grasp of the social context of education and how poverty affects children's opportunities to learn and the effects of gender, race and ethnicity.

If you are interested in the development of young children, there is a strong Early Years team and you can choose Early Years modules.

Education is about learning and knowledge and you can study the nature of knowledge in the curriculum and how it is learned at different ages and in different situations.

Education is for the future and you can study alternative futures for education and for the world: how can education help us to have a sustainable future on the planet.

Teachers are the key to all this and you get the chance to study the work of teachers and children's learning in placements in educational settings.