Primary Education (QTS) BA (Hons)

Program Overview

This Primary Education (QTS) BA (Hons) degree prepares students for a career in teaching. It covers core areas such as professional practice, core subject curriculum and pedagogy, child development and inclusive practice, and foundation subject curriculum and pedagogy. Students gain hands-on experience through school placements and "Beyond the Classroom" experiences.

Program Outline

This Primary Education (QTS) BA (Hons) degree course is designed to prepare students for a fulfilling and rewarding career in teaching.

• Professional practice: Including professionalism, safeguarding, social media for teachers, and behavior management.
The program emphasizes hands-on experience through school placements, where students spend at least 120 days developing their teaching skills under the guidance of expert colleagues. Students also gain "Beyond the Classroom" experiences, working with children in different educational contexts such as museums, art galleries, or recreational activities.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Core Curriculum and Pedagogy 1: Explores theories of learning, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and the core subjects of English, mathematics, and science.
Includes visits to nurseries and reception classes.
• Child Development and Inclusive Practice 1: Introduces child development, including physical, cognitive, language, emotional, social, and moral development.
Emphasizes recognizing difficulties and barriers children may face and developing a culture of mutual trust and respect. Includes immersion in planned learning activities related to foundation subjects.
• Professional Practice 1: Introduces the foundation phase of professional practice, including placement in a primary school.
Covers professional behaviors, codes of conduct, safeguarding, child protection, classroom management, and behavior management. Includes relevant legislation and statutory guidance.
• Foundation Curriculum and Pedagogy 2: Explores a broader range of international subject and pedagogical approaches in learning and teaching.
• Professional Practice 2: Builds on the foundation phase practice-based elements of the program, involving a professional practice placement in a different school and age range.

Year 3:

• Core Curriculum and Pedagogy 3: Explores a range of contemporary issues that impact upon core subject knowledge, pedagogy, and practice in the context of primary education.
Includes a small-scale Action Research project.
• Child Development and Inclusive Practice 3: Enables students to identify where pupils need specific interventions and how to work effectively with others to ensure a consistency of approach.
Includes visits to local areas and buildings.
• Professional Practice 3: Provides the opportunity to enhance and refine professional practice, with a focus on an extended professional placement in a primary school.
Includes demonstrating effective pedagogy and taking on additional responsibilities.

Assessment:

• No exams: Assessments are primarily through coursework, such as essays, presentations, projects, and independent and group work.
• Placement assessments: Students receive feedback on their practice during school placements, including clear targets for development in subsequent placements.

Teaching:

• Variety of methods: Taught sessions include seminars, lectures, practical workshops, field trips, and work with pupils.
• Expert faculty: Sessions are taught by university tutors, with guest speakers including headteachers and subject leaders.
• Active learning: Students are encouraged to be active participants in their learning.

Careers:

• Class teachers
• Subject leaders
• Headteachers
• Tutors
• Members of advisory and inspection teams
• Related fields of education

Other:

• Future Skills: The program includes Future Skills, which are employability-enhancing skills valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

Fee category Amount Home (UK students) £9,250 International Year 1 (2025/26): £18,500 Year 2 (2026/27): £19,200 Year 3 (2027/28): £19,900 Fee category Amount Home (UK students) £9,250 International Year 1 (2024/25): £17,800 Year 2 (2025/26): £18,500 Year 3 (2026/27): £19,200 A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22.