School of Sport and Education

www.brunel.ac.uk

BA in ContemporAry eduCAtion

2 | School of Sport and education www.brunel.ac.uk

BA in Contemporary education

Why study Contemporary education at Brunel?Are you interested in examining the education system and exploring the theories of how people

learn throughout their lifetime? This degree is a response to the changing and evolving nature

of education in the broadest sense of the word. If you share our belief that creativity, culture

and education are inextricably linked, this is the programme for you. It is appropriate to those

contemplating a career in education professions, as a basis for counselling, educational psychology,

social services, LA work, social work, administration and education management, as well as

for teaching. We open up the world to give you a greater understanding of education.

The programme will equip you with a depth of understanding about the role of education in a diverse

society, both within and beyond the UK. It is a forward-looking programme, designed for changing

times and for people who will be making the decisions in the years to come. If you are considering

primary teaching, you will need to, after completion of your degree, apply for a one-year PGCert:

successful completion of the BA Contemporary Education enables you to apply to undertake Brunel’s

highly regarded PGCert Primary programme, provided you meet current government and university

requirements. Professions within the education sector include publishing and media, the galleries

and museum service, the legal system and the charity and leisure industries. Your pathway through

the degree is individually designed, offering you the opportunity to create combinations that match

your interests and/or intended career route. You will take part in seminars, lectures, placements

and personal research. This degree will encourage you to develop the skills and understanding

you’ll need at a time when career paths are fluid and there is a need for flexible qualifications.

The Uxbridge campus, where all Contemporary Education teaching takes place, is spacious

and has a vibrant atmosphere. The main concourse houses the Students’ Union and a number

of key amenities including bars, shops, food outlets and a bank. The university has invested

heavily in accommodation on campus. This has ensured that, as a new student, you will be

guaranteed a place in one of the Halls of Residence during your first year of full-time study.

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The university is located in close proximity to the M40, M25, M4 and M1 motorways. We

are also well served by public transport and central London is only a tube ride away via

the Piccadilly and Metropolitan Lines. Hence, we are ideally situated for you to combine

the advantages of campus life and nightlife of the ‘big city’. In addition, our close

proximity to Heathrow Airport makes our location invaluable for overseas students.

What will graduates do with this degree?Brunel Contemporary Education graduates will enjoy careers in fields such as: Education

Administration, After-School Programme Coordinators, Early Years Education, Informal

Education, Education Welfare, Continuing Professional Development and Business Training.

Some students may progress to QTS teacher training courses to become primary teachers.

What are the aims of the course?The programme aims to:

• Enable students to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills of

contemporary educational theory, policy and practice.

• Develop a range of transferable skills e.g. critical reflection, systematic

analysis, communication, collaboration, presentation and writing.

• Enable students to develop key skills of lifelong learning and prepare them for further

professional and academic qualifications and/or a range of education-related careers.

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How will the course be delivered?Teaching excellence is given a very high priority in the School of Sport and Education. Research

active staff who have published widely in their area of expertise will teach all modules of the

Contemporary Education programme. The course will be delivered using a range of teaching

methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, independent learning and research project activities.

Students will be expected to complete directed reading tasks prior to sessions and to take notes in

order to maximise learning opportunities. We constantly review our teaching methods in response

to feedback from students. This enables us to develop innovative learning and teaching methods.

A central part of this course is the work placement, which students undertake in each

year. This work-based experience is designed to provide you with opportunities to

apply and enhance your learning and research skills in a range of professional settings.

You will undertake directed tasks and research activities at each level of study.

The course may be studied in the following ways:

• Full-time

• Part-time

Lectures

The aim of lectures is to provide students with core material and concepts, and a framework for

independent study.

Seminars

Seminars will form an integral part of the teaching process; they will be used to promote

discussion and group work. They will involve interactive learning experiences and help to

develop knowledge and understanding of subject matter, encourage an appreciation of

alternative perspectives and viewpoints and develop effective communication skills.

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Tutorials

All members of academic staff are available to discuss academic matters. Tutorials will involve one-to-one

or small group interactions, focussing on individual concerns and development as well as support for

projects, work-based experience and other learning and teaching issues.

Independent learning and research project activities

You will be involved in personal development of your study skills, research-related skills and critical

thinking. All students will engage in directed reading, reflective exercises and preparation for work-based

experience, planning and assessments.

Work-based experience

Work-based experience is designed to provide you with opportunities to apply and enhance your learning

and research skills in professional settings. You will undertake a range of directed tasks and research

activities at each level of study.

How will we assess your progress?Your progress will be assessed in a variety of ways. Assessment procedures include individual and group

project work, essays, oral presentations and report writing.

How will we guide and support you?As a student at Brunel, you will be guided and supported from the admissions stage onwards.

On entry to the School, you will be given a personal tutor who is available to give advice about any matter

within their capacity. They will also point you in the right direction should you need more specialist help,

for example, medical attention, counselling, dyslexia support. The tutor-tutee relationship will last for the

period of your degree course. Hence, on completion of your degree there will be a member of staff ideally

placed to write an academic and character reference for you.

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Applying to join the courseIf you would like to study for this degree, we would be delighted to hear from you. Application

procedures are outlined via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website,

but our admissions tutor is very happy to deal with individual enquiries. It is important for you,

and for us, that you have as much information as you need to decide if Brunel University is right

for you. We welcome applications from candidates from the UK and overseas who will be 18

years of age or over at the start of the academic year in which they wish to start their studies.

We select students on academic merit alone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment,

marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.

entry requirementsThe following is a general guide to the entry requirements for Contemporary Education as of the

time of publication. For the most recent entry requirements please visit the University website

http://www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/X300

• GCE A-level BBC, including a social science subject.

• Irish Leaving Certificate BBBBB.

• Scottish Advanced Highers BBC.

• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade B in Society, Health and Development, Retail

Business, Sport and Active Leisure, Travel and Tourism or Public Services, plus an A-level at

grade C in a science or social science subject for Additional and Specialist Learning.

• IBDP 30 points.

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in a related subject.

• Access courses in a relevant subject area are considered on an individual basis.

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For all of the above, 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above are also required, to include English, Mathematics

and Science (please note these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

Overseas applicants

Applications are welcomed and a variety of qualifications are acceptable

for entry to our courses. Candidates whose language of instruction is not

English must have passed IELTS with a score of 6.0 for entry.

Full-time applicants

For entry to our undergraduate courses applications must be made through the UCAS. You will

need a current UCAS application form and handbook. You should obtain these from your school

or college if you are still studying there. If you are not at school or college, you should write to

UCAS, PO Box 67, Cheltenham, Glos, GL50 3SF, or via the UCAS website: www.ucas.ac.uk.

UCAS starts receiving applications from the 1st September for entry in the following year. The

normal closing date for the receipt of applications is around the middle of January. UCAS accepts

that some applicants, especially from outside the UK and mature students, may find this difficult.

Late applications are accepted by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application year and

will be considered by the Contemporary Education team as long as places are available.

Part-time applicants

Applications for part-time study should be made directly to the University’s Admissions Office before

31st August in the year of entry. The entry requirements are the same as for full-time applicants.

www.brunel.ac.uk 136648B 0312

Where to find usFor further details please direct all enquiries to:

Taught Programmes Office

School of Sport and Education

Brunel University, Uxbridge,

Middlesex, UB8 3PH

Telephone: +44 (0)1895 267019

Email: sse-tpo@brunel.ac.uk

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this brochure and the University will take all reasonable action to deliver courses and services in accordance with the descriptions set out in it. However, the University reserves the right to vary the content of courses, or to merge or discontinue them. It will, in the case of discontinuation, use all reasonable efforts to offer a suitable alternative.

All students are required, as a condition of registration, to abide by and submit to the University’s statutes, ordinances, regulations and rules, which are published on the University’s website: www.brunel.ac.uk/about/administration/rules