- Overview
- Course modules
- Entry requirements
- What makes this course different
- Accreditations
- What we're researching
- Your future career
- How we support your career ambitions
- Careers Guarantee
- What you'll learn
- How you'll learn
- How you'll be assessed
- Campus and facilities
- Who teaches this course
- Testimonial
- FAQs
Overview
Please note, this course was previously known as BA (Hons) Education Studies Online.
Interested in helping shape and change young lives through education? Our BA (Hons) Applied Education is offered asynchronously online, allowing you to study when and where it suits you. This programme provides a fantastic foundation, incorporating the very latest developments in the field of education studies.
- Flexible Online Learning: Access materials and complete weekly topics using our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This includes slides, audio recordings, and interactive online materials.
- Interactive Discussions: Take part in online forums and resolve issues related to your studies.
- Expert-Led Education: Learn from teachers and take part in current debates on children's education.
- Our course provides many opportunities to experience education in our community. This will ease your transition into a teaching environment when you leave us.
Our Education courses rank 3rd in London in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
*Overall positivity using the Times Higher Education methodology, on student samples over 1,000 and out of all Universities UK members.
This course is in Clearing
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Course modules
Our Applied Education Online BA (Hons) first year provides a comprehensive foundation in educational theory and practice. Develop essential professional skills through our Mental Wealth module while exploring sociological and philosophical perspectives on education. The education modules emphasise inclusion, diversity and research skills. We prepare you to understand children's social worlds and advocate for their rights. This is perfect for aspiring educators seeking a flexible online degree with a strong theoretical foundation.
The second year deepens your understanding of education through contemporary issues and social justice perspectives. You'll enhance your research capabilities whilst studying the ideological and political dimensions of educational policy. The Mental Wealth module further develops your professional skills, and our dedicated Education Careers module helps you identify career pathways in the sector. All our comprehensive education modules prepare you for critical engagement with educational theory.
In your final year of the applied education programme, you'll complete an independent research project tackling real education problems. You'll also develop key professional and self-reflection skills. You'll examine inclusive education from a global viewpoint, focusing on language, teaching, and cultural diversity. Plus, you'll gain practical experience and reflect on volunteering in education.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Entry requirements
Degree:
112 UCAS pointsThis is the standard advertised entry requirement for most students applying to this course.
Degree with contextual offer:
96 UCAS pointsYou may be eligible for a reduced offer based on your personal, educational or socioeconomic background.
Missing some qualifications?
We have a range of pre-entry programmes to help you meet the entry requirements for this course.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Your previous qualifications, uncompleted study or industry experience may mean you can start your studies at a later point in the course and influence your eligibility for entry
What makes this course different

UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2025
The Times and Sunday Times names the University of East London as the UK’s top institution for Teaching Quality in its 2025 Good University Guide

Specialist academics
You'll be taught by enthusiastic and expert staff who focus on the needs of our students through innovative teaching methods, as well as academic writing and publishing.

3rd in London
Our Education courses rank 3rd in London in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
Careers Guarantee
The UEL Careers Guarantee is the University’s commitment to supporting you with your career development during your studies and after you graduate. It brings together careers guidance, employability support and opportunities designed to help you prepare for work or further study.
What can I do with this degree?
An Applied Education online degree prepares you for careers across the education sector and beyond. Graduates have gone on to work in roles such as:
- Special needs teacher
- Primary school teacher
- Teaching assistant
- Educational consultant
- Educational Researcher
The degree provides a pathway into teacher training, such as a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) programme. At UEL, we offer PGCEs in Primary Education and a wide range of secondary subjects. With a teaching qualification, you'll have the choice of teaching in a mainstream school or specialist education settings.
The skills developed on the course are valuable across many other sectors. Some of our graduates have gone on to teach English as a foreign language abroad. Others have moved into fields outside of education such as journalism.
Employers who have hired our graduates include Sarah Bonnell School, Havering Council and Reeson Education.
If you want to go further, UEL offers postgraduate courses in special education, early childhood, and leadership in education.
How you'll learn
This course investigates contemporary education in a lively and stimulating way. We study primary and secondary through to higher and adult education.
It's sociology-based. It looks at sociological factors affecting the family, social policy for young people, education, and the national curriculum. We look at it from an international perspective to reflect the diversity of our student intake.
You'll explore how people develop and learn. You'll learn about how the education system has evolved and continues to evolve. You'll learn to critique the purpose of educational interventions and to think about arguments related to educational issues.
We'll give you an understanding of how political ideologies influence education policy. You'll look at faith schools, special needs education, and multiculturalism along with the sociology, psychology, and philosophy of education. You'll learn how to check research, enriching your studies and giving you the knowledge and confidence to do your own research.
Guided independent study
Our distance learning programmes cover the same content as our on-campus equivalents. In order to meet your potential in this programme, you'll be expected to take responsibility for the way you learn. You will need to motivate yourself throughout the course and undertake independent learning and research, including individual reading, preparation of assignments, and completion of assessed course work.
Distance learning on this course is supported by our virtual learning environment (VLE), Moodle. You'll be given a full introduction to the use, nuances, and scope of the VLE. This will help you to feel comfortable and confident in your online classroom. Your module leader/tutor will contact you at the beginning of each module to provide basic information and check for questions.
Each module has a site in Moodle structured around a sequence of weekly topics. These topics contain a lecture - typically, a series of slides and accompanied audio recordings or interactive online material. This is supported by guidance on key learning outcomes, self-assessment questions, and links to core and additional readings. Modules run concurrently so you would need to balance your time across a number of modules at the same time rather than just one.
Academic support
You'll be taught by staff with relevant experience and practice to ensure you learn from real-life experience and research. We offer dual delivery which combines traditional on-campus face-to-face teaching and online teaching simultaneously, allowing you to interact as if you were there in person. You can move smoothly between online and on-campus teaching subject to your individual timetable (and health requirements). Students can interact and collaborate in person and online in any of these live-streamed sessions. Live-streamed sessions will also be recorded, so you can log in when you want, playback, and watch from the comfort of your home and whilst on the go.
Dedicated personal tutor
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, academic tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help you achieve your potential.
You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.
Our Student Support hubs feature centralised helpdesks. UEL provides support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).
Workload
Your overall workload consists of entirely online sessions, individual learning and practical activities.
Your timetable
All distance learners' timetables are asynchronous and your learning materials will be released at the beginning of every week.
Class sizes
Approximate class sizes: 40 in online academic drop-ins.
How you'll be assessed
The course is assessed by coursework such as essays, video presentations, and a research dissertation along with online Moodle tests. Assessment methods include group work, exams and individual work including essays. In addition to writing traditional essays, you'll be required to write reports, policy reviews and give presentations. This is to ensure you gain skills that are relevant to and can be transferred to the workplace.
In your final year, you'll write a research dissertation.
All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides.
Feedback is provided within 15 working days in line with UEL's assessment and feedback policy.
Coursework will include presentations, video reports, research-based assignments, and learning logs.
Campus and facilities
This course is delivered online
The flexible distance learning format allows you to study around your personal and professional commitments.
This course is delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you'll access lecture materials, audio recordings, interactive learning resources, guided activities, self-assessment exercises, and reading materials. You'll receive a full introduction to your learning environment at the start of your studies to help you feel confident learning online.
Throughout the course, you'll be supported by experienced tutors and module leaders, who will provide guidance, answer questions, and help you stay on track.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Childhood and Social Care
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What our students and staff say

As a former University of East London New Beginnings and undergraduate student, I feel privileged to be able to work with our current and future students in the university that supported my academic journey."
Lisa Taylor
Senior lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and Applied Education

I've been able to gain a new perspective looking through a child's eyes and I've learned more about children’s rights. I've especially loved exploring the enchantment of child literature. The intimate lectures of about 30 people are great. You can have some interesting debates and almost everyone has a chance to speak."
Vikki Silvers
Education Studies, BA (Hons)














