Biology and Education

Explore the ways that education, society, and organisations are structured, and how these structures impact the wellbeing and opportunities of individuals, groups and communities.

We introduce you to education systems from around the world and investigate how education can be used in different ways to change lives. We also look at educational policy and practice and how it can be used to promote social justice.

You’ll cover a broad range of fundamental Biology topics, from cell biology and genetics to plant, animal and human biology. You can also choose from optional modules to develop specialist knowledge in topics that interest you.

Year one

The first year introduces key concepts and skills that underpin the study of education. You'll be introduced to formal and informal education and explore the potential of education to transform lives. Key themes include wellbeing, global citizenship and the impact of research.

In your Biology modules, you’ll explore fundamental biological topics through hands-on classes. Topics include cell biology, genetics, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, evolution, classification, and ecosystems.

Year two   

In your second year you’ll be introduced to the key ideas and theories needed to understand contemporary educational issues. You’ll learn about education policy and its role on a local and global scale. You’ll also evaluate how education contributes to achieving change in the workplace. You’ll explore global citizenship and wellbeing in more depth. You’ll have the opportunity to explore sustainable development. Depending on your choice of modules, you can undertake an education placement in your second year.

Biology modules cover a range of concepts including biological systems and the importance of Biology in real life. You'll explore the most cutting-edge ideas in Biology and get the chance to choose from a range of topics for your optional module. Themes include ecology, environmental management, microbiology, human pathophysiology, biodiversity and food analysis. You could also develop your research skills to a higher level through a dedicated research module.

An optional Professional Placement Year between your second and final year gives you the chance to gain extended experience in the workplace.  

Year three   

You’ll develop a deeper understanding of a professional career in education and education’s role in sustainable development. Your dissertation in either Education or Biology will complete your studies.

If you choose to focus on Education, you’ll get the chance to use your research to help solve real-world problems with our industry partners. If you choose Biology, you'll undertake an independent research project in an area that interests you.

If you’re interested in a teaching career, and you’re on target to successfully complete your degree, we offer a guaranteed interview for our Primary or Secondary PGCE courses in your final year.

Assessment methods vary, depending on the modules you choose.   

You'll be assessed through various tasks and coursework including written assignments, creative projects, practical assessments and presentations. There are no exams for Education modules. 

You could submit written assignments, scientific papers, creative projects, reports, posters, practical assessments, presentations, or sit exams in Biology.  

We’ll provide regular guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding so that you can enter the workplace with confidence. 

You’ll learn through a mix of seminars, lectures, individual tutorials and online tasks. You’ll also learn from guest speakers. In Biology you’ll engage with many of the topics we cover through practical sessions. These build your lab skills so that you can work to the standards expected by employers.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Throughout your degree, you'll be immersed in work-based learning, giving you the opportunity to investigate a range of education-related careers and develop your employability skills. If you go into a school placement, you’ll be required to apply for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Services). You'll get more details once you've accepted your place with us.

From Kew Gardens to Haverfordwest, you’ll have opportunities to participate in fieldwork opportunities across your Biology modules.

Depending on the optional module you choose in your second year, you can undertake additional accreditation in Outdoor Learning.

Please note that you’ll have to pay a contribution towards the cost of these opportunities; these include DBS, transport costs, and payment of accredited course fee.

We’ll encourage you to participate in local and national science festivals. Depending on which modules you take, we also award prizes to our highest achieving students in Biology and Education.

This course is ideal for students interested in an education career, including teaching (on successful completion of a PGCE). If you’re on target to successfully complete your degree, we offer a guaranteed interview for our Primary or Secondary PGCE courses in your final year.

You’ll also gain a broad understanding of education in lots of different settings, which prepares you for a career in: 

• Youth work 
• Other roles in schools, such as Teaching Assistant 
• Charity education 
• Heritage 
• Prisons. 

This course can also prepare you for a career that combines science education, communication and outreach. You could lean on the practical lab skills you’ve developed to become a science technician or researcher. You may be interested in changing education policy. You could also progress to postgraduate study in a range of related courses.

We'll support you in achieving your aspirations – however they develop during the degree.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

Aiming to make work experience more accessible, we have introduced the PPY Bursary. Students undertaking a PPY can receive between £500 and £1,500 to be used towards placement costs such as travel, food, workwear or accommodation.

For more information and details of eligibility criteria, please visit the PPY Bursary webpage.

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus. Nestled in the countryside at the edge of Bath, the campus offers a blend of modern and eighteenth-century buildings and good access to the city. 

From your lectures, you’ll be able to visit the library, the Students’ Union, and access our student information and support teams, as well as many of our facilities.

ASk (Academic Skills)

Available both in-person and online, this dedicated team can help with essay writing, referencing, maths skills and statistics.

Careers

The team runs networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying.

When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.

English Language Unit

If English isn't your first language, the ELU can help you improve your English, reach your full potential and boost your confidence.

Expert speakers

Guest speakers share their expertise and experience across many aspects of your subjects. In Biology, visiting lecturers may be from healthcare and public health organisations, small independent companies, charities, or work in conservation.

You'll meet our PGCE tutors, and other professionals working in education. You can also get involved with our research centres to stay up to date with the latest in education research.

Laboratories

Field studies are a key part of the course. Newton Park campus is a beautiful 'natural laboratory' where you can study natural processes while being in nature. Endangered species such as bats and newts have made their home here, and there's also a wealth of plant, tree, fungi, microbial and other species.

Our recently renovated labs are used for specialist microbiological culturing and analysis, biochemistry and physiology. We also have a ‘low ­hazard’ laboratory space where you can prepare and assess food, study the effects of exercise on the body, or dig into psychological processes.

Online resources

You can access thousands of specialist Library resources digitally. Don't forget to contact your dedicated subject Librarian for help with your research. Tutors will post helpful resources to the Virtual Learning Environment.

You’ll have free access to thousands of business, design, and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.

Student Wellbeing Services

SWS (Student Wellbeing Services) is available to support you throughout your learning.