Our areas of study in Education

Explore the different areas of study we offer within Education to find out which courses could be suitable for you and your career aspirations. These four areas include Initial Teacher Training, Distance Learning, Further Education and Skills, and Professional Development.

A trainee teacher showing a book to a primary class who all have their hands up

Initial Teacher Training

We provide undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher training courses, both within primary and secondary teaching. Most of our teacher training degrees will award you with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which means that as soon as you graduate, you will be qualified to teach in any state-maintained school in England or Wales.

Our undergraduate teacher training programmes are three-year, full-time degrees, whereas our PGCE courses are one-year postgraduate qualifications. Many of our secondary teaching courses are subject-specific, allowing you to specialise in studying the area you're most interested in teaching, and it's normally these courses which come with generous funding opportunities. Work placements will play a key role in your initial teacher training, no matter which course you decide to study, providing you with the vital experience you'll need to go into your first teaching job.

A female student working alone in the library

Distance Learning

Our range of postgraduate distance learning courses in education is available in over 60 countries worldwide. Some of these courses fall within our provision of International Initial Teacher Training for those who are yet to achieve a teaching qualification, and some are Professional Development courses which are more suitable for teachers and other educators already established within their field.

Studying for your teaching or education degree via online distance learning allows you more flexibility, so is a great option for those you want to fit their studying in around existing work or family commitments. There will never be a need for you to come onto campus as all of the teaching, support and course materials will be delivered online, so all you need is good internet access. Find out more about the benefits of distance learning.

Students in a classroom with a male student in the foreground writing notes in a notebook

Further Education and Skills

If your career goals involve teaching in sixth forms or Further Education colleges, or if you want to go into vocational training or adult education, then one of our Further Education and Skills (FES) courses could be the right fit for you.

The PGCE Further Education and Skills is our full-time, one-year FES degree for students who don't yet have any teaching experience, but we also offer other part-time Further Education and Skills qualifications for those already in-service, as well as some part-time pre-service courses.

Hear more about the PGCE Further Education and Skills course from one of our recent graduates.

Students facing the front of a classroom with notebooks and laptops on their desks

Professional Development

The fourth area of study we offer in Education is our provision of Professional Development courses. Unlike our teacher training programmes, these are post-qualifying master's degrees in education which don't qualify you as a teacher.

These highly specific degrees are more beneficial for practising educators – whether that be within the classroom or outside of it. Many students on these courses are already well-established in their careers and want to take the next step with their development or enhance their job prospects. However, some of the courses may also be suitable for undergraduates with relevant experience in the sector.

Our Professional Development courses include MA Education, MA International Education, and MA SEND. Several of these courses are also available to study as a distance learning version. Read more about how an MA Education degree can help your career.

Explore

What is distance learning and what are the benefits?

Online distance learning is a flexible way of taking a course without the need to attend traditional lectures at a college or university, with all of the course material being delivered online. Distance learners studying with the University of Sunderland benefit from lectures and support delivered through our Virtual Learning Environment, which is accessible from anywhere in the world.

How to become a special needs teacher

Are you thinking of becoming a special needs teacher? Here we’re exploring all about what Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) means in an educational context, including what you need to become a special needs teacher or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

Why choose an education studies degree?

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in education but you’re still undecided about the area you’d like to specialise in, or you’re already working as an educator and want to progress within your field, you might want to consider a degree in education studies.

How an MA Education degree can help your career

Studying for a master's degree in education will equip you with an abundance of valuable skills and knowledge relevant to the field, but how can gaining this postgraduate qualification help your career? Find out more about the MA Education courses we offer, as well as discover what jobs you can go into and how you can progress within your current role in education.