Program Overview

BA (Hons) Education and Primary Studies

Overview

By completing the BA (Hons) Education and Primary Studies at Liverpool John Moores University, you will be able to significantly contribute to children's future development and educational attainment.

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Stepping stone to a wide range of careers which focus on supporting children and families during primary phase education, including teaching, social care, health and childcare
• 94% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on our education courses were good at explaining things (NSS 2024)
• Extensive work-related learning opportunities
• Explore the sociological, historical, political, psychological and philosophical issues that impact on the lives and learning of young children
• Tailor your studies to your own interests through optional modules
• Graduate with a solid foundation for a child-centred career
• You are able to apply for a PGCE course, if you meet the entry requirements, which you would complete once you have graduated from this course. Completion of a PGCE would enable you to become a teacher. If you are looking for an undergraduate teacher training course now, we offer BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS.

About your course

By completing the BA (Hons) Education and Primary Studies at Liverpool John Moores University, you will be able to significantly contribute to children's future development and educational attainment.

Children's future development and educational attainment depends on high quality provision and experiences during primary phase education. This course explores recent initiatives and the influence of historical and key primary phase pioneers on current practice. You will also examine how young children develop and learn and explore both national and international approaches to primary provision, policy and practice.

The course brings together all aspects of education such as the effects of poverty and social exclusion, and curriculum development. The needs and rights of children, and your moral and professional role in working with them, will form the foundation of your professional development and academic studies.

You will study education in its broadest sense, drawing on aspects of sociology, history, politics, psychology and philosophy to give you an understanding of current educational thinking and practice. We signpost you to appropriate volunteer opportunities and activities in schools and other placements, so that you can gain the experience and practice you need before embarking on further training, study or a career.

We have several international links, and there are opportunities to visit other countries and also undertake a work-related placement overseas.

You will be able to tailor your studies to your own interests through option modules, research and work-related practice. Not only will you graduate with a solid foundation for a child-centred career, you will also gain key transferable skills, such as interpersonal, oral and written skills that are so crucial in the workplace today.

Course modules

Year 1

• Learners and Learning in Contemporary Society (20 credits)
• Education and Society (20 credits)
• Snapshots of Education (20 credits)
• Introduction to Education and Primary Studies (20 credits)
• Holistic Understanding of the Child (20 credits)
• Exploring Primary Education (20 credits)

Year 2

• Professional Project Enquiry (20 credits)
• Student Enquiry into Research Methods (20 credits)
• Pedagogy and Practice in Primary Education (20 credits)
• Creativity and Discovery Learning (20 credits)
• Professional Roles and Perspectives (20 credits)
• Schools and the Curriculum (20 credits)
• Contemporary Issues for Young People (20 credits)
• Study Semester Abroad - Education studies (60 credits)

Year 3

• Dissertation (40 credits)
• Contemporary Issues in Children's Lives (20 credits)
• Education, Culture and Identity (20 credits)
• Working Therapeutically with Children and Families (20 credits)
• Parents and Schools (20 credits)
• Informal and Non-formal Education (20 credits)
• Supporting Vulnerable Children and Young People in Education (20 credits)

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment
• Excellent facilities and learning resources
• Work-related Learning

Career paths

• Primary school teacher (upon completion of a PGDE/PGCE teacher training qualification)
• Learning support/mentor
• SEN and Inclusion
• Education administration
• Education management
• Central and local government careers
• Policy Worker
• Family support and social work roles
• Community education officer
• Youth and community work
• Social care roles
• Education Researcher
• Education/Children's publishing
• English as a foreign language teacher
• Further education tutor
• Drama and sports education roles
• Digital learning
• Education and training in the public, charitable and voluntary sector e.g. Police, probation service, housing and refugee support agencies
• Employment and Enterprise Adviser

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Full-time per year: £9,535

International

• Full-time per year: £17,750

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

• Grades/points required from qualifications: BCC - BBB (104 - 120)
• GCSEs and equivalents: Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/Numeracy
• A levels: BCC-BBB
• BTECs: Extended Diploma: DMM
• Access awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• OCR Cambridge Technical: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Irish awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• T levels: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• Alternative qualifications considered: Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants, who will be considered on an individual basis. These applicants may be required to complete a written task and/or attend a meeting with a course tutor, and should demonstrate potential and motivation and/or have relevant experience.
• Additional requirements: DBS, Occupational Health requirements
• Reduced offer scheme: As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold of up to 16/8 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has been in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach initiatives, e.g. Summer University. Please contact the admission office for further details.
• International requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.