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BA Education Studies, Theology and Religion (ETR)

  • Education Studies aims to provide a broad, critical perspective on education, and opens up a wide range of career opportunities. The BA (Hons) in Education Studies, Theology and Religion has two distinct features. First, it equips students with direct experience of learning and teaching. Second, it examines the ethical and spiritual domains of education, integrating contemporary theory and practice with Vaishnava-Hindu insight. It explores the diverse contexts in which education meets ethics, religion, and spirituality.

    Many graduates enter the teaching sector. Others become trainers, school leaders, and education officers within charity and business sectors. Close collaboration with employer organisations, such as the UK-based iFoundation, opens up opportunities for employment in schools that promote not only educational achievement but also character formation and spiritual insight. The award also opens doors to post-graduate programmes, such as a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, and to other ITT (Initial Teaching Training) schemes such as the Graduate Teacher Programme.

    The three-year, single honours course is validated by Chester University, and has four main pathways: primary education, secondary education, tertiary and adult education, and educational leadership.

  • Students must achieve 120 credits each year. During years 2 and 3, they select one 20-credit module from four options, usually according to their chosen pathway. Year Two includes a work-and-research based placement, in which students spend a few weeks in an educational institute, partnered with the college and usually linked to ISKCON (or a similar faith/spiritual organisation).

    Level

    Name

    Credit

    4

    Introduction to Education Studies

    20

    4

    Core Skills for Teachers 1: Planning and Delivery

    10

    4

    Introduction to the Philosophy of Education

    10

    4

    Contemporary Issues in Secular and Religious Education

    20

    4

    Theory and Method in the Study of Religion

    10

    4

    Introduction to Ethics

    10

    4

    Encountering World Religions

    20

    4

    Introduction to Hinduism

    20

    5

    Teaching through Creativity and the Arts

    20

    5

    Learning through ICT

    10

    5

    Education Research Methods

    10

    5

    Education Research Project

    20

    5

    Childhood Studies 1: Learning in the Primary Years (5-11 years)

    20

    5

    Western and Hindu Approaches to  Contemporary Ethical Issues

    20

    5

    Adult Education 1: Motivation to Learn for a Lifetime

    20

    5

    Educational Leadership 1: Key Principles and Core Skills

    20

    5

    Sociology of Religion

    20

    5

    Hindu Theories of Knowledge and Learning

    10

    5

    Science and Religion

    10

    6

    Values, Identity and Inclusion

    20

    6

    Core Skills for Teachers 2: Delivery and Assessment

    20

    6

    Childhood Studies 2: the Wellbeing of Primary Children (5-11 years)

    20

    6

    Six Classical Indian Philosophies

    20

    6

    Adult Education 2: Distance Learning and Advanced Use of ICT

    20

    6

    Educational Leadership 2:
    Leadership for Positive Change

    20

    6

    Modern Hinduism

    20

    6

    Dissertation

    40

  • Many Education Studies graduates enter initial teacher training and thereafter primary and secondary education as teachers or teaching assistants. Others, well equipped to engage critically with education, move into school or college leadership. Bhaktivedanta College graduates readily succeed in careers that favour the ethical, spiritual, and multicultural aspects of education. Graduates in Educational Studies also regularly succeed in careers linked to:

    • Nurseries
    • Colleges and Universities
    • Charitable work related to education
    • Youth work
    • Various forms of social work
    • Human-resources development and training
    • The human-potential market
    • Educational consultancy
    • The civil service and policy making
    • Libraries and Museums
    • Educational publishing
    • - Prison Service (as Education Officers)
    • - Non-compulsory sector teaching
    • - The voluntary sector

  • Diverse possibilities exist directly within ISKCON, especially those linked to:

    • Adult education initiatives
    • Leadership of educational projects
    • Temple/Community staff training and development
    • Strategic Planning and policy making
    • Youth projects
    • Devotee-support services
    • Child-protection and related services
    • Mature outreach programmes
    • Counselling

    Exciting opportunities are increasingly available in those areas spanning devotional and professional life (e.g. ISKCON-partnered, state-funded schools). These forums offer most opportunity for dialogue and mutual exchange. ISKCON members can enhance their professionalism while practically demonstrating the value of Vaishnava truths in contemporary issues, debates, and challenges within the education world.

    Bhaktivedanta College has established International Partnerships with organisations that successfully negotiate both devotional and professional concerns.

  • The Programme will provide students with:

    • Preparation for a range of ethical and fulfilling careers, especially in the diverse contexts in which education meets religion, theology, philosophy, ethics and spirituality.
    • A comprehensive, critical understanding of education with distinctive focus on:
      1. Learning and teaching, and educational leadership;
      2. Religion, spiritual development and philosophy and ethics;
      3. Theological insight, especially as drawn from the Hindu-Vaishnava teachings.
    • Understanding of the relationship of the theory and practice of learning and teaching, especially academic, pastoral and inter-personal. 
    • A foundational understanding of Theology and Religious Studies, based on sound academic knowledge and deep assimilation of Vaishnava thought, culture and heritage.
    • Knowledge, understanding and appreciation of world religions and a wide range of worldviews and philosophies.
    • The ability to reflexively apply theological and educational insight to all aspects of personal and professional growth, thus developing commensurate values and attitudes.
    • The opportunity to positively contribute towards contemporary educational initiatives as credible, exemplary and well-integrated representatives of their own faith traditions.

 

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