Programme description for Bachelor's Programme in Education (2024–2027)

On successful completion of the programme, the students should:

Knowledge

• Have basic knowledge within the subject of education, including its roots, tradition, and application.
• Have knowledge about central pedagogical terms, theories, and models.
• Be able to explain how teaching and education change in the global knowledge society.
• Be familiar with central research and development work within the subject area.
• Be familiar with qualitative and quantitative research methods suitable for studying pedagogical questions.

Skills

• Be able to facilitate individuals’ and organisations’ learning and competence development.
• Be able to plan, implement and assess supervision processes for individuals and groups.
• Be able to plan pedagogical development work for a specific organisation.
• Be able to discuss and assess ethical dilemmas and challenges related to central pedagogical themes.
• Be able to carry out an independent substantial scientific work (the bachelor’s thesis)

General competences

• Be able to apply the subject’s knowledge base and acquires new knowledge and skills.
• Master academic requirements for presentation of key subject matter both orally and in writing
• Be familiar with new ideas and innovation processes within the subject area.
• Have insight in relevant ethical problems and challenges.
• Have insight in how international cooperation shapes the discipline and society.

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Admission to the second year requires a one-year study of pedagogy or the first year of a bachelor's programme in education including a minimum of 10 credits in social science methodology.

Admission to year three requires two years of a bachelor’s programme in education.

The bachelor’s programme in education provides broad competence in themes related to learning and lifelong education in various connections, from pre-school and school to other public and private institutions. The programme gives insight into phenomena such as learning, socialisation, motivation, communication, supervision, group processes, management, competence development, didactics, and education.

The programme also sheds light on the development of the knowledge society, and the impact of digitalisation and globalisation on formal and informal learning processes. The characteristics of pedagogical professionalism in today’s and the future’s job markets will also be emphasised. The programme prepares for pedagogical work and competence development for various age groups in the private and public sector.

The programme yields competences relevant for the following sustainable development goals:

• Good education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• Peace, justice, and effective institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
• Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
• Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.

Lectures, seminars, group work, and individual work. Oral and written assignments, individual and in group. Supervision in connection with the bachelor's thesis and assignments.

The form of assessment is adapted to the contents and teaching methods of the individual courses. At the same time emphasis has been placed on diversity of work methods and assessment through the programme as a whole, and a progression of expectations of what students can master both individually and in groups.

Assessment methods vary between 6-hour written examination under supervision, term paper, articles, oral examination, individual home examination, group project and bachelor’s thesis. In several courses, emphasis is placed on group collaboration with examination requirements.

We offer student exchange during the fifth semester. The University of Agder has student exchange agreements with several universities and colleges abroad. We offer student exchange through established mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ and Nordplus. Our university has both the ECTS label and the Diploma Supplement label. See: https://www.uia.no/en/student/go-on-exchange

A list of our options for studying abroad is found on the University’s site for student exchange. https://www.uia.no/exchangestudies/search?soid=1831

For further information, contact our coordinator for student exchange Tone Frøysnes (tone.froysnes@uia.no).

Students who have studied abroad are well equipped to take the courses PED237 “Characteristics of Norwegian and Comparative Education” or PED221 “International Issues in Inclusive Education” during term 6. By taking these courses after studying abroad, students have a good foundation for delving into comparative and international subjects in their bachelor’s thesis.

The programme prepares students for educational work with training and competence development for different age groups in private enterprises, the public sector, or other organisations. Such work may include practical training activities in businesses and institutions, supervision of clients and colleagues, work with children and youth, human resources, dissemination activities, and recruitment.

The admission requirements and grades will determine possible further study. Completion of the bachelor's Programme in Education qualifies for admission to the master's Programme in Education at UiA.