Education and Deaf Studies

If you are looking to work in the field of educational support and inclusion, then this is an ideal subject combination. Our Education and Deaf Studies degree helps you to gain an understanding of educational theories, policies and practice, and apply these in the real world to issues surrounding the educational inclusion of deaf learners. These skills will then allow you, if you have an interest in working in an educational setting, to gain hands on experience of the day to day tasks associated with the role of a teacher, and can be a valuable insight into a potential career option.

The course combines Deaf Studies modules such as history, education, culture, community and language of Deaf people, such as British Sign Language. These are complimented by Education modules, such as those looking at theories of learning, diversity and inclusion in the education system, vulnerable learners, and opportunities to undertake a placement in an educational setting at each stage of your programme. 

You will study British Sign Language and issues relating to Deaf people, their history, education, culture, community and language, learn aspects of current education policy and provision in England and explore the concept of inclusion in education. There is also the opportunity to gain experience in educational settings of your choice and to obtain credits towards your degree for this experience.

Both staff members and past students agree that the course is interesting and highly motivating, and the varied teaching and assessment methods make it a positive course of study. The vibrant Deaf community in the area means that students have ample opportunities to practise their language skills with native language users.

You will have an opportunity to undertake a work placement with deaf people, as well as in an educational setting at each stage of your degree.

Volunteering opportunities are also made available with deaf children. There are Education modules available in each year of your programme where you can attend an educational setting of your choice for one semester, during which students will undertake a range of activities in their placement, varying according to the educational environment and needs of the pupils/ students and teacher/ tutor that they are working with. Typically time spent on placement might involve assisting the teacher with preparation for lessons and tasks; welcoming children into classes; organising resources; listening to children read; assisting individual children on a one to one basis; leading small group work and other supportive activities in the classroom.

These experiences enable individuals who have an interest in working in an educational setting to gain hands on experience into the day to day tasks associated with the role of a teacher, and can be a valuable insight into a potential career option. Observations undertaken in the placement (in the form of a diary) encourage students to consider the dynamics of classroom processes and interaction and identify noteworthy instances or aspects of the teaching and learning process.

A 3 year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits and each 20 credit (a standard module) equates to 200 hours of study, which comprises of a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and independent study. Independent study is an important aspect of your degree course. The exact combination of study time will be detailed within your module descriptors, and will depend on your option choices.

Course facilities include well equipped classrooms and a sign language lab with extensive Blackboard (Virtual Learning Environment) resources for receptive and productive practice work. Teaching is supplemented with guest speakers and students are encouraged to attend community events and social gatherings with the local and national Deaf community.

Assessment strategies are varied. Modules are assessed by coursework, with no exams, including student presentations, reflective diaries; project work, signed videos, poster, and reflective essays.

Year 1

• British Sign Language (BSL100) or British Sign Language (BSL200)
• British Sign Language (BSL150) or British Sign Language (BSL250)
• Deaf People in Society
• Introduction to Education Studies
• Education for Everyone
• Observing Education in Action

Year 2

• British Sign Language (BSL200) or British Sign Language (BSL300)
• British Sign Language (BSL250) or British Sign Language (BSL350)
• Issues in Deaf Education
• Deaf World Debates

And a choice of Education modules from the following:

• Sociology and Education
• Models of Teaching and Learning
• Preparing for Academic Writing and Research in Education
• Experiential Learning in Educational Settings (a placement module)
• Representations of Education in Literature and Film
• Diversity and Inclusion Practice with Children and Adults
• Student Initiated Module

Year 3

• A Deaf Studies or Education Dissertation

And a choice of modules from the following:

• Insiders and Outsiders
• Debating Disability
• Work Placement
• Education in Developing Countries
• The Education of Vulnerable Young People
• Policy & Practice in Educational Settings
• Learning, Curriculum and Assessment
• Families, Schools and Society
• The professional Role and its Context
• Reflective Practice in Educational Settings
• Student Initiated Module

Our typical offer is 104 UCAS Points.  We operate a flexible admissions policy and treat everyone as an individual. This means that we will take into consideration your educational achievements and predicted grades (where applicable) together with your application as a whole, including work experience and personal statement. General Studies accepted

BTEC Extended Diploma: Merit. Merit, Merit
BTEC Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction*
Pass Access Course: 104 UCAS Points  
International Baccalaureate:Pass Diploma with 104 UCAS points from Higher Level Subjects
IELTS: 6.0 with no subscore lower than 5.5
GCSE: 5 GCSE Maths and English not required.