Education is one of our most powerful means for change and growth in the modern world. You will follow one of three tracks offered by the Education Faculty, in conjuction with other Faculties relevant to your chosen track.

  • Education, Psychology and Learning focuses on education from a psychological perspective, exploring human development and education in a variety of social and cultural environments.

  • Education, Policy and International Development considers historical and contemporary discussions, and education’s role in economic and social change.

  • Education, English, Drama and the Arts is the study of English literature with key issues in education, such as debates around creativity, learning and culture, whilst giving you the option of studying practical drama.

Our course provides excellent preparation for a wide range of Masters and doctoral research programmes, both at Cambridge – each track has close links to related MPhil programmes within the Faculty – and elsewhere. Alternatively, for those intending to teach, the course provides a foundation from which to proceed to initial teacher training e.g. PGCE.

The career options for an Education graduate are extremely varied and they find employment in a wide range of occupations and fields in the UK and abroad. Many have gone into academic research, educational psychology and neuroscience, publishing, teaching and the Civil Service, along with those now working in government policy and administration, journalism and the wider media, theatre, community arts, heritage and museum education, management and HR, business and consultancy, charities and NGOs, and international development. Many graduates also pursue careers associated with their combination subject.

Further information about the course can be found on the Faculty and University websites.

 

Lucy Cavendish aims to admit one to two Education undergraduates each year. Currently, we also have twenty MPhil, Med, and PhD Educationalists, alongside teaching, research, and professorial staff, making Education one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant subject communities in College.

Typical offers require

  • A Level: A*AA
  • IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level 

For other qualifications, see the main entrance requirements pages on the University website.

Course Requirements

  • No subject-specific entrance requirements
  • An A Level, IB Higher Level, or unit in a subject relevant to the Education track you want to study is highly desirable

Admissions Assessment

  • All applicants are required to take the pre-interview written assessment for Education at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college).
  • Further details about the written assessment can be found on the University website here.

Written work 

Applicants are required to submit one or two school/college essays as examples of written work prior to interview. 

For more information:

 

Director of Studies

Dr Jonathan Padley

Education

Jonathan became DoS in Education at Lucy Cavendish in 2018. He is a researcher in English children’s literature from the eighteenth century to the present day, and is also interested in interdisciplinary dialogues between literature, media, music, science, and theology.

Student profiles

Ateka

Education student

I was working full-time in retail when I decided to re-sit A-level History, adding an Access to Education Diploma at Westminster Kingsway College. Lucy Cavendish has exactly the kind of atmosphere I wanted, though I never expected to meet so many lovely and interesting people. Every corner I turn, I bump into a friendly face and a happy greeting. And the great thing about the Education course is that I have been able to study the issues that I was interested in prior to applying (equality of opportunity, and the challenges faced by those from certain class and cultural backgrounds), and be more critical in my approach towards them. Although you do need a great amount of stamina at Cambridge, you feel an incredible sense of empowerment and achievement every time you complete an essay.

Laura

Education student

I came to Cambridge with an Oxford Foundation Certificate in English Literature, alongside A-levels in English and History, having previously worked as an ultrasound technician for a London Healthcare Trust. Lucy Cavendish occupies a unique position within the larger university and it has made it possible for me to call Cambridge my home. Coxing for the Boat Club has been one of my most enjoyable experiences, and the College has provided financial support when I needed it most, as well as pastoral support, and a safe environment, where I can really explore every opportunity. The Education course here is uniquely inter-disciplinary and allows you to make critical links across an incredibly wide field; you can focus your interests on any one of the disciplines whilst maintaining a broad multi-faceted overview.

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