Education Studies BA Welcome Pack
Welcome to BA (Hons) Education Studies – September 2026.
A very warm welcome to Education Studies!
We are delighted that you have chosen to join us and look forward to welcoming you to our learning community. Education Studies is a broad, multidisciplinary course that explores education from a range of perspectives, including social, cultural, historical, psychological and policy-related viewpoints. Throughout your studies, you will be encouraged to think critically about education, its purpose, and its impact on individuals and society.
Our course is taught by a friendly and experienced team of lecturers who bring a wide range of expertise and research interests to their teaching. Learning takes place primarily through interactive seminars, discussions, collaborative activities and independent study, creating a supportive environment where your ideas and experiences are valued. You are the expert in your own experience, and this is absolutely where we want to start.
We have had very positive feedback from current and past students and one aspect of the course that students particularly appreciate is the variety of assessment methods. There are no formal examinations; instead, you will demonstrate your learning through a range of assessments designed to help you develop academic, professional and transferable skills.
During welcome week, we have planned it as a gentle introduction to life at UON and as an Education Studies student. You will have the opportunity to meet your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), who will support you throughout your time at university and help you make the most of your studies. Please carefully at the attached timetable, which outlines all planned activities and sessions for welcome week: a particular highlight will be a cross-course trip taking place on Wednesday. This is free and a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow students from across our subject area, make new connections and begin building your university community.
We are excited to meet you and look forward to supporting you on your Education Studies journey. Welcome to the course!
Your Course Leader
Samantha Weeks
Senior Lecturer in Education (CYF)
samantha.weeks@northampton.ac.uk
Please email me with any questions that you may have about course content, what your modules will look like, what to expect from our teaching and the type of academic and personal support that we can offer you. As we are a small course my aim is to get to know you all, and for you to get know me. You will feel a part of our Education Studies community that way and I am looking forward to meeting you.
Additional staff
- Dr Kyffin Jones
- Neil Southwell
- Dr Toby Purser
- Dr Emel Thomas
- David Meechan
Preparing for your course
In preparation for your course starting in September, we hold an online session beforehand so you can meet your Academic Team and other students studying the same course. This will be held on Tuesday 15 September. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact induction organiser Samantha Weeks, Programme Leader on Samantha.weeks@northampton.ac.uk.
Tuesday 15 September
Session: Welcome to Education Studies
- Time: 4 – 5pm (BST)
- Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/373368152599310?p=3X4eGYsNOwvRNa4ojK
This is an informal opportunity to met with the course leader and current/past students. The aim is to meet some friendly faces ahead of starting the course, and be able to answer any questions you may have ahead of welcome week.
Monday 21 September
Session: Getting to know you, getting to know each other
- Time: 10am – 12pm (BST)
- Location: LH113, First Floor, Learning Hub, Waterside campus
Session: Meet your personal academic tutor (PAT)
- Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm (BST)
- Location : LH113, First Floor, Learning Hub, Waterside campus
Tuesday 22 September
Session: Settling into Education Studies
- Time: 10am – 12:30pm (BST)
- Location: SN111, First Floor, Senate, Waterside campus
Timetable and module details, this session also includes an introductory tour of the library.
Session: Education Studies Picnic!
- Time: 12:45 – 1:45pm (BST)
- Location : SN111, First Floor, Senate, Waterside campus
Bring your own lunch and meet some of our students from other year groups!
Session: Welcome to UON from the University Leadership Team in
- Time: 2 – 2:30pm (BST)
- Location: The Engine Shed, Waterside campus
Session: Navigating the University systems
- Time: 2:45 – 3:45pm (BST)
- Location : SN111, First Floor, Senate, Waterside campus
Wednesday 23 September
Session: Cross course trip
- Time: Meet at 9am (BST)
- Location: travel details tbc
This is a day out – free – just come and enjoy yourselves.
Friday 25 September
Session: Course Leader drop in
- Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm (BST)
- Location: The Ground Coffee Shop, First Floor, Learning Hub, Waterside campus
Optional, please come along and ask me any questions you have – or just for a chat!
Preparation and Pre-arrival tasks
Ahead of starting your course, we suggest that you keep up to date with the news in the first instance. Look carefully for mentions of education, start to ask questions about this. For example, whose opinion is this? And how do they know this – based on what evidence? And who is the audience?
In addition, explore The Chartered College of Teaching Journal and notice what interests you.
