Education (With Foundation Year) Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Our education courses rank in the UK top 5 overall in their subject field (The Guardian University Guide, 2026).

Do you believe in the power and potential of education to improve people’s lives? But do you feel that there are key issues within the education system that need changing? If you answered yes to these questions, then this could be the degree for you. Committed to education, critical of its structures: this describes not only our approach to education studies, but also many of our students. There is a strong focus on employability and practical experience, with opportunities for professional training, gaining additional certificates and qualifications, trips, and work placements over the duration of your course.

Foundation Year\
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an undergraduate course, taking a Foundation Year can provide a fantastic entry route to a degree-level qualification. The Foundation Year supports you to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy while exploring a range of subject-specific content so you are fully prepared for the core three-year course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your degree.

Facilities and specialist equipment

* Mock classrooms with specialist technology so you can watch and assess your lesson.

* Forest School where you can deepen your understanding of the long-term educational benefits of outdoor learning opportunities.

* Specialist sensory centre to support your understanding of how teachers teach and children learn, within early years and SEND contexts.

* Multimedia space for webinars and podcasting.

Career-powered links

As one of the largest providers of teacher education in the eastern region, we have well-established partnerships with more than 500 schools and other associated organisations, including lead training partnership agreements for closer collaborations. We also benefit from regular, on-going collaboration with the local education authorities for Bedford and Central Bedfordshire. This network puts us ahead when it comes to national priorities, issues and developments in educational practice.

We also work closely with Martin Bacon Academy, a special education school in Northstowe; Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust (BILTT); and Trauma-Informed Schools UK, who offer training in creating settings where people feel safe, understood and are able to thrive. 

Your student experience

Flexible unit choices allow you to specialise in a particular area that may align with your future career intentions.

Work with an academic team with expertise across sociology, history, philosophy of education and critical pedagogy.

Many of our staff also have "previous lives" in frontline professions, including youth work and education, and bring real-world perspectives to teaching sessions.

Take up opportunities for professional training and development as well as work placements.

We enrich your learning experience through our links with regional borough councils; academic and postgraduate networks; local museums; professional associations; charities; examination boards; curriculum agencies and learned societies.

Benefit from the support of your own personal tutor, a unit and course coordinator, and the additional support of our experienced library staff, all of whom will help you throughout your student journey and with balancing study with work and personal commitments.

Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where academic staff get to know you well.