This paper is based on a recently completed three-year research project undertaken with staff and students at one department of education studies in a university in England. We explored the reasons given by students for enrolling in a degree-level programme in Educational Studies, reviewed their experiences and perceptions during their studies and made comments about career destinations. Only some of the findings that emerged from the project are reported here. Through a process of data collection undertaken in depth at one institution, and analysis in the context of literature and publicly available reports about similar work in other institutions, we illuminate some issues concerning the nature of degree programmes in Educational Studies.