School of Education and Communities

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The School of Education and Communities focuses on education, early childhood, special needs, social work, teacher education and training.

Student Satisfaction

An incredible endorsement from our own students, who rated us top in London and 4th in the United Kingdom for student satisfaction. (Complete University Guide, 2018)

International Opportunities

Learn with students from all over the world through our vibrant, international community at UEL, as well as benefit from excellent study abroad opportunities in Brazil, USA, Australia, Sweden and Norway.

95% Student Satisfaction

Our courses have been rated by our students with an outstanding 95% satisfaction rating for academic support and 95% satisfaction rating for our outstanding teaching process.

Who we are

The School of Education and Communities is a highly successful provider of education, early childhood, special needs, social work and teacher education and training programmes. We also play a key role in the provision of education services and professional development throughout East London and beyond. We promote a strong research culture, building on our reputation for innovation within education and communities.

Our Department of Social Work and Social Sciences sits within the school and enables students to explore key issues surrounding Brexit, globalisation, leadership, migration, individual wellbeing, and the future.

We offer collaborative partnerships and professional practice partnerships to benefit our students and external partners.

    Overview

    At the University of East London, we offer a full range of Initial Teacher Education and Training courses at primary, secondary and post-compulsory level. These include PGCE, School Direct (Salaried and Non-Salaried and Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeships). We also offer highly successful social work, youth work and psychosocial and community courses at all levels including our post-qualifying short courses if you’re already practising. Our courses in the School of Education and Communities will give you the tools to develop as a practitioner, with the flexibility to specialise in areas that interest you the most.

    You will have the opportunity to become part of innovative, world leading, research and teaching on public pedagogy, children’s rights, the mixed economies of childcare, social work, teacher education, HE, and careers education.

    In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 92 per cent of UEL's overall research was recognised as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised.

    Key Features
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    • We have an extensive portfolio of links with employers including NHS Trust, Barnardo's, local authorities and school academy trusts, as well as range of NGOs. We have excellent placement opportunities within London and in countries including Brazil, Gambia, USA, Australia, and across Europe.
    • Our academics' pioneering and innovative research is internationally recognised for being up to date and focused on the latest developments in their fields. This means that what is taught is relevant and contemporary.
    • Our student placements often lead to jobs being offered immediately upon graduation. As well as finding our graduates teaching and leading local schools, and working in social work settings throughout London, our students have secured jobs at sector-leading organisations such as Medecins Sans Frontieres, the British Red Cross, the Refugee Council and the World Health Organisation.
    • An average of 91 per cent of our graduates are in work or further education within six months of graduation.
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    Accreditations

    Many of our courses are accredited by the relevant industry bodies. Our accreditations include: 

    • NHS Trust
    • DfE
    • OFSTED 
    • Montessori 
    • Social Work England
    • Tavistock and Portman Trust
    • National Youth Agency 

    Our recognised accredited courses give our graduates qualifications that are globally recognised.

    Industry Links

    We have many links with industry partners, whom our graduates have gone onto work for. Some examples are:

    • NSPCC 
    • Medecins Sans Frontieres 
    • NHS
    • Local government
    • Schools including Stratford School Academy
    • Early Years settings 
    • Housing Associations 

    Explore our subject areas

    Social and Community Work

    Our courses enable you to help the most vulnerable members of society. You'll develop skills in supporting, protecting and speaking up for the people you help.

    Browse Social and Community Work courses

    Facilities

    The School of Education and Communities is based at our Stratford campus and has a suite of specialist teaching rooms within a dedicated building as part of our school. These are equipped for teaching subjects ranging from chemistry and biology to art and food technology. 

    Our modern Docklands and Stratford libraries provide a wide range of resources, as well as specialist study areas which are fully accessible during term time. 

    Explore Stratford campus

    Research

    Whether your future trajectory is within educational or social policy, research or practice our researchers and teaching staff are there to encourage and support you throughout your doctoral journey. Choose from a wide and varied curriculum supported by supervisors nationally and internationally acknowledged as experts in their field. The School of Education and Communities is an international centre of excellence for teacher education and professional development. The School houses three innovative and multidisciplinary research centres: the International Centre for Public Pedagogy, the International Centre for the Mixed Economy of Childcare and the Centre for Social Work Research.  Our staff can support you in a variety of topics including teacher education, public pedagogy, comparative education, professional development, early childhood, prison education, social work and youth work.  

    For more information about our research please visit our Research page.

    Our doctoral students

    Hear from our graduates

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    UEL was the perfect place for me to begin my journey into teaching. Both the subject and whole school lectures provided me with the in-depth knowledge I needed to prepare me for the classroom and the wider school environment. My journey from classroom teacher to senior leader all began with a PGCE at UEL."

    Neil Tobias

    Assistant Head Teacher, Barking and Dagenham. UEL PGCE Graduate