Education Studies: What to study, career opportunities, and necessary skills

What is the field of education?

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Quynh Khanh
  • Published: 11 December 2025
  • Updated: 9 December 2025

In the context of an ever-changing world, education plays an important role in shaping the future of each individual and society. This makes the education industry more and more interested in young people—especially those who want to make a positive impact through teaching, research, or educational management. So what is education? What do you study, and why do many students choose to study abroad to expand their career opportunities? Find out more with IDP through the article below.

2. What subjects are studied in the field of Education?

The Educational Studies program is designed to help students gain an in-depth understanding of the nature of education, teaching methods, learner psychology, and how to build an effective educational environment. Subjects are usually divided into three main groups: basic theory subjects, pedagogical methods and skills and applied majors.

2.1. Group of basic theoretical subjects

These subjects provide basic theoretical knowledge of how humans learn and develop:

  • Educational Psychology: The study of learners' cognitive development, behavior, motivation, and cognitive processes.

  • Philosophy of Educatio: Learn about the goals and meanings of education, the ideals and values that shape the education system.

  • Sociology of Education: Analyzes the role of education in society, including the influence of class, race, and gender on educational opportunities.

  • History of Education: Studies the formation, development, and transformation of education systems around the world.

2.2. Group of subjects teaching pedagogical methods and skills

This is a group of subjects on how to impart knowledge and design effective lessons:

  • Instructional Theories and Methods:

    Learn about modern teaching models such as interactive teaching, project-based learning, and differentiated teaching

  • Curriculum Development:

    Research on how to build, organize, and evaluate curriculum content to suit the objectives, each group of learners, and the educational context.

  • Educational Assessment and Measurement:

    Design tests, tests, and assessment tools to measure learners' progress, competencies, and learning outcomes.

  • Classroom Management:

    Build a positive, disciplined but friendly learning environment that maximizes support the development of students.

2.3. Majors in education

The Department of Education is very broad and covers many specialized fields, meeting the diverse needs of the modern education system. When studying abroad, students can choose one of the following majors depending on their career orientation and personal interests.

Professional knowledge

Typical Subjects

Early Childhood Education

Focus on psychological research - the developmental needs of children from 0–6 years old, innovative teaching methods and building a safe and experiential learning environment.

Primary Education

Equip students aged 6–12 with knowledge of multidisciplinary teaching methods (math, language, science, art) and classroom skills.

Secondary Education

Train teachers to teach specialized subjects such as Math, Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Languages, etc.

Educational Psychology

Study the cognitive process, learning motivation, behavior and development of learners; application in school counseling and improving teaching methods.

Educational Technology

Focus on designing Digital Learning Materials, applying AI in teaching, and optimizing the learning experience.

Special Education

Training methods to support students with special needs such as developmental disorders, learning difficulties or social-emotional support needs.

Educational Administration

Study how to operate, manage, and develop schools, educational centers, and public policy.

Educational Research

Focus on quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis and development of proposals to improve the education system.

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3. What qualities do you need to study Education?

To succeed in Education, you need a combination of academic, social and humanities qualities. This is an industry that requires not only knowledge but also interaction skills and a commitment to the development of others.

Here are the important qualities to have when studying Education:

  • Love for people and desire to make a positive impact:

    The most basic quality is a sincere interest in helping others learn, develop their potential, and achieve their goals.

  • Good Communication and Communication Skills:

    Able to convey complex concepts into easy-to-understand language, suitable for each learner (from children to adults).

  • Patience and Empathy:

    The ability to put themselves in the learner's shoes to understand their challenges, emotions, and personal contexts, and provide appropriate support.

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving:

    The ability to evaluate current teaching methods, constantly seeking and applying new teaching methods and tools to improve learning outcomes.

  • Continuous learning and adaptation:

    Regular professional knowledge updates. Know how to grasp and use the latest educational technology tools to make lectures more modern and interactive.

  • Responsibility and professional ethics:

    People working in the education industry directly affect the development of others, so they require integrity and high standards.

4. Career opportunities in Education

Educational Studies offers a wide range of career opportunities, not just limited to teaching jobs. Graduates can work in schools, educational centers, research institutions, training enterprises, or NGOs. Depending on the major you study, you can choose the following career directions:

Field of Teaching and Training: Suitable for those who are oriented to pursue the field of early childhood, primary, secondary or special education education.

  • Teachers/Lecturers

  • Curriculum Developer

  • Special Education Teacher

  • Corporate Trainer

Areas of Educational Management and Evaluation: Suitable for those with higher degrees in Pedagogy (Master's, PhD) who often take on managerial and strategic positions.

  • Principal/Vice-Principal

  • Educational Policy Analyst

  • Academic Administrator

Areas of Consulting and Support: Suitable for those with a higher degree in Education (Master's, PhD) who often take on managerial and strategic positions.

  • School Counsellor

  • Career Counsellor

  • Behavior Interventionist

Educational Technology and Instructional Design: This is one of the fastest-growing fields and has the highest demand for human resources today.

  • Instructional Designer

  • EdTech Specialist

  • Digital Content Developer

5. Where to study Education?

Currently, students pursuing Education have many options in the country, typically specialized universities such as the University of Education, Saigon University, and Van Hien University. Besides, you can also choose to study abroad in many developed countries to access modern programs, multicultural environments, and many practical internship opportunities.

If you're considering studying Education abroad, here are the courses and pathways to help you shape the right path for your future.

If you are looking for the right pathway to pursue Education in top countries, contact IDP for free assistance in choosing a school, choosing a course and completing your application.

6. Average Salary of Education

The level of income in Educationology depends on the major, training level, experience, and working environment. In general, this is an industry with a stable salary that gradually increases with working time.

  • Australia: Students working in Education typically earn a salary of around AUD 60,000 - 100,000 per year.*

  • UK: Graduates earn between location and region around £25,000 – £40,000 per year.

  • USA: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for Education is about $50,000 – $80,000 per year.

  • Canada: The average salary for a bachelor's degree in Education ranges from CAD 50,000 – 85,000 per year depending on the field.

  • New Zealand: The average salary for a bachelor's degree in Education ranges from NZD $52,000 – 75,000 per year depending on the field.

*Salary information is collated and aggregated from a variety of trusted data platforms, including Glassdoor – Salary Insights, Payscale, Indeed, and SalaryExpert.

Discover the Education course that's right for you

Education not only equips you with professional knowledge and pedagogical skills but also opens up many opportunities to make a positive impact on the community. Whether you choose to teach, do school counseling, do education management, or work in international organizations, you can build a meaningful and sustainable career. With a solid foundation of knowledge and a spirit of continuous learning, students of education can confidently enter a field that is increasingly valued and appreciated by society.

If you'd like to explore more schools for education, visit IDP's website or contact us directly for country, major, and school selection that suits your abilities and personal goals. With a team of experts who are knowledgeable about international education and an extensive network of partners, IDP is always ready to accompany and support you:

  • Comprehensive study abroad advice: From choosing a school, choosing a major, preparing documents, registering for IELTS to apply for a visa, and hunting for Study Abroad Scholarships

    countries. Besides, you can join the Study Abroad Exhibitions organized by IDP to meet and ask questions directly from school representatives and find out all information about schools. These majors attract human resources and bring high demand for settlement as well as job opportunities after graduation.

  • Assistance with essential services for international students: IDP helps you find accommodation such as homestays, dormitories, or rentals that suit your budget and needs. In addition, you are also supported to buy insurance, apply for an international SIM card, and banking services, making it easy to connect and manage your finances as soon as you arrive in a new country.

  • Equip yourself with information before you go to study abroad: Equip yourself with all the knowledge and skills to confidently embark on your study abroad journey.

with IDP today!

Free study abroad consultation hotline: 19006955

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