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A degree in education studies will give you the skills and knowledge to become a school teacher. You’ll explore key topics regarding school curriculums, government policies, the evolution of education and teaching theory.
The graduate prospects from studying for an education degree are everything you need to propel you into the world of teaching. You can apply the skills you’ve learnt into several roles such as a primary school teacher, learning support assistant, early years worker or health and social care worker. Many universities offer placements in a range of educational settings for students to enhance their learning and become more employable.
If your grades don’t meet the entry requirements to study education at your firm or insurance choice universities, don’t feel too disheartened. You still have plenty of other options to consider, including searching through Clearing to find an alternative course to apply to. Here’s how to do it.
Education degree entry requirements
The minimum UCAS Tariff points to study education ranges from 32 points (EE at A-level) to 152 points (A*AA at A-level), with the average being 104 points (BCC at A-level).
For applicants with A-levels, universities don’t usually require you to have studied any specific subjects in preparation for this degree. Typically, subjects such as general studies and critical thinking are excluded and cannot be counted as part of your points total.
BTECs are accepted by most universities for an education degree. Some universities look for you to have a BTEC National or Extended Diploma in education or childcare related subjects but again this varies heavily from university to university. You’ll need a DDD for the top universities but you could find a place on a course with as little as PPP.
Some universities offer education degrees with integrated foundation years, specifically for students who don’t have the required qualifications to gain direct entry onto their degree programme. The first year is designed to equip students with the necessary academic knowledge and skills for degree-level study.
The entry requirements for these courses are much lower - as little as 32 UCAS points – so this could be a good option for you. It’s important to remember though, that not only will your degree take longer to complete, the extra year will add additional course fees and living expenses to the cost of your studies.
Education Degree Entry Requirements
| Type | Minimum Grades/Points Required (with Foundation Year) | Minimum Grades/Points Required | Maximum Grades/Points Required | Average Grades/Points Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCAS Points | 32 | 80 | 152 | 104 |
| A-level | EE | CDD | A*AA | BCC |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | PPP | PPP | DDD | DMM |
| International Baccalaureate | 26 | 28 | 36 | 28 |
Note: The exact entry requirements for education courses will vary from university to university. It’s important to check the individual course pages for exact entry information – including information on what other qualifications may be accepted – before making any applications.
It’s important to remember that universities don’t just assess you on your grades or UCAS points totals. They will also take into account your personal statement, and how well you’ve communicated your passion for the subject and your chosen career path. They will also want to see what you can contribute to university life, so will look favourably on students who’ve been active members of clubs and societies at college/sixth form.
Some universities may also ask students to attend an interview or selection day and your performance here will form part of your application success.
Top tip: If you have only just missed out on the grades/UCAS points needed for your chosen university, it’s worth giving them a call to see if they would be willing to accept you – based on your personal statement and interview performance. There are no guarantees, but it’s worth a try.
The best universities to study education degrees
Our sister site, the Complete University Guide, publishes university league tables every year ranking UK unis nationally and in 70+ subject areas. Check out the latest rankings to get an idea of the best UK unis for education.
How to compare education courses in Clearing
Other important information to look at when choosing an education course includes: what the module choices are; how you’ll be taught and/or assessed; whether there are placement opportunities; and what the graduate employment rates are.
You can compare courses based on all these important factors right here on Whatuni. Head over to Whatuni’s Clearing hub and enter ‘education’’ into the search bar to start your search. Then you can start browsing through the information pages for each course, comparing them to all the important factors listed above.
Top Tip: During Clearing, some universities have been known to lower the entry requirements for some of their courses. There is no way to tell if this will happen to education courses in Clearing, but if a university has a lot of vacancies to fill, they may be willing to accept students with lower grades.
The easiest way to see which courses your grades make you eligible for is to click the ‘YOUR GRADES’ button located at the top of the search results page and fill in the on-screen form. The list will then be personalised with matching courses:
Once you’ve compiled a list of courses, you then need to decide which of the shortlisted universities you’d be most happy at for the next three to four years. A good place to begin your research is the university’s prospectus, which will give you an overview of what they offer students in terms of learning facilities, accommodation, social activities, and financial and welfare support.
We would also advise you to book yourself onto an open day tour or event at each university - if you have time to do so. This will give you a chance to have a closer look at the campus and perhaps speak to some current students and/or potential tutors. Open day events are really useful for helping you build a picture of what your life there might be like and whether you’d enjoy it.
Before making any final decisions, we’d also suggest you check our student reviews. They will give you an honest insight into what it’s really like to study and live at your shortlisted universities. Simply enter the university name and/or subject name to see what students are saying:
What if I can’t find an education course in Clearing?
If you haven’t been able to find or secure a place on a suitable education course in Clearing, don’t despair. There are still some other options available to you:
- Apply for a joint honours degree: If you can’t find a suitable education course to apply for, then one alternative is to search for a joint honours course where education makes up half of the degree. Common subjects to be paired with education include psychology, English literature, history and sociology. Just make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.
- Apply for a Clearing course in a similar subject: Subjects like childhood studies, special education needs, physical education; and sports coaching; all cover important teacher training aspects involved in education and maybe good alternatives to consider. Again, make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.
- Study an education HNC/HND: Higher National Certificates and Diplomas are vocational-based courses equivalent to one (HNC) or two (HND) years of a bachelor's degree. They aim to produce graduates who are ready for employment in a wide range of language-related areas. The entry requirements for education HNCs and HNDs are a lot lower than for a degree – as low as 40 UCAS points.
- Study an education foundation degree: Much like HNDs, foundation degrees (FdSc) are vocationally based courses that last two years full-time and are worth two years of a bachelor’s degree. Entry requirements are a lot lower – between 16 and 120 UCAS points (E – BBB at A-level or P – DDM BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma). They're ideal for those who didn’t get the grades for entry onto a degree or for mature students looking to re-enter higher education. After completing a Foundation degree students can progress onto the third year of a BSc degree or gain employment.
- Resit your exams: If none of these alternative options appeals to you, or you have your heart set on a particular course at a particular university, then you could opt to re-sit your A-level exams and apply for university entry next year.
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