Should I do a Politics or Education degree?

I will be applying to University in the next couple of months and I am still unsure on subject. I think I might like to be a teacher after I graduate, but I’m not certain. I absolutely want to go to Uni of York and care more about that than the degree. I am really interested in Politics but Education’s entry requirements are two grades lower.

Reply 1

USW Social Team

Official Rep

Hi @annaluch👋

Applying to study at university can be an exciting time. If you've set your heart on the uni, I would advise attending its open day and exploring both subject areas.

You should be able to apply for both subjects and still have time to continue your research before making up your mind.

To thrive on your course, I suggest you choose a subject you love❤️

I wish you every success in whatever you decide.

-Leanne🙂

Reply 2

Supermature

I can very easily imagine myself being in your position. I have studied at York (Masters) and appreciate the attractions of both the university and the city. I am involved in education research and I too was interested in Political Science as an undergraduate.

If you want to hold out the option of secondary school teaching as a career, it might be advisable to include a teaching subject in your degree programme; for example History and Politics, which York offers. You can then pick modules that make the degree more Politics oriented, but still be qualified to teach History.

You could take the same route for primary teaching, although a professionally orientated Primary Education degree, with integrated teacher training, would be ideal for someone who was certain that they wanted to work with younger children.

The Education Studies BA at York is an academic degree and so does not lead to a teaching qualification. There are several option modules that do relate to the politics and sociology of education but you would be no closer to qualifying as a teacher than with a Politics oriented degree, with or without a teaching subject.

In short, if your priority is to go to York, and you think you can get the grades (AAB), I'd opt for Politics, preferably combined with a teaching subject followed by a PGCE specialising in whatever age range you were interested in teaching. If in time you decide that teaching is not for you, you'll have a degree with a broader academic currency. You could always choose an Education degree as an insurance option.

Reply 3

McGinger

An 'Education' degree will not qualify you as a teacher unless the course description makes it clear that it leads to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) - and usually QTS degrees are called 'Teaching' and not 'Education'. You would therefore need ti do a postgrad PGCE year to get QTS and be able to teach. Education degrees are about the theory of education, not practical training courses and lead to careers in a wide range of areas within education, HR, welfare work etc etc.

You need to go to an Open Day and listen to the subject presentation for both Education and Politics, ask questions, and think about which courses is actually going to hold your interest for 3 years. You may find that one of the joint subject degrees - Undergraduate study - Education, University of York - ie. Sociology/Education meets both your interests.