About this course
Primary education is a fundamental part of any child’s academic and personal development. Primary teachers play a crucial role in developing a child’s essential knowledge and skills. They inspire our young people's love for learning and help to develop well-rounded children – laying the foundations for their future.
At NTU, you’ll not just learn how to be a teacher, you’ll become one. Studying this four-year course means you’ll have the time to really get to grips with the curriculum and understand how to meet the diverse needs of learners. You’ll be taught by former primary school teachers in specially designed teaching rooms. Plus, you’ll spend plenty of time in the classroom, putting what you’ve learned into practice. All the while, you’ll be building your resilience, critical thinking and creativity.
You’ll graduate ready to start your career as a confident and innovative teacher with the skills and experience demanded by schools. You’ll be committed to shaping the minds, lives and futures of all our young people – making a positive difference in our diverse society.
Why study this course?
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97% of BA (Hons) Primary Education students believe the course has improved their career prospects (National Student Survey, 2024). -
You’ll be recommended for accreditation for Qualified Teacher Status with the Department for Education, allowing you to take a post as an Early Career Teacher upon course completion. -
You’ll specialise in either the 3-7 or 5-11 age ranges, in the context of developing your general expertise as a primary teacher. -
You’ll gain 60 credits towards a full Masters degree by studying the final year leadership module at Masters level.
of BA (Hons) Primary Education graduates were in work and/or further study 15 months after completing their studies (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2020/21)
What you’ll study
The course is structured to equip you as a new teacher with a holistic view of the curriculum. You’ll gain a range of skills, knowledge and understanding enabling you to meet the individual and diverse needs of learners. Your understanding of children, their learning and development will be at the centre of your teaching practice. You’ll develop a critical understanding of inclusive practices in education and take responsibility for your own professional development.
Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies One (60 credit points)
This module introduces you to curriculum area content. You’ll focus on the core primary curriculum subjects - English, Maths and Science – as well as developing your understanding of the wider curriculum. You’ll be introduced to the principles of learning, demonstrating how these translate into teaching across the early years and primary frameworks.
Develop and Evaluate Practice One (60 credit points)
This module will develop your understanding of how theories of learning, child development and cognitive science inform principles of learning. You’ll undertake your first period of Professional Practice, designed to support your understanding of the responsibilities regarding safeguarding and children’s well-being. You'll cover the nature of professionalism and how to make a positive impact in school in terms of your aspirations for children and relationships with both children and adults.
Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Two (60 credit points)
As part of this module, you’ll develop confidence in your own subject knowledge for teaching across both core and wider curriculum subjects and recognise progression in children’s learning within curriculum subjects. You’ll focus on formative assessment practices underpinned by a sound knowledge of the needs of individuals, groups of pupils and the requirements of the curriculum.
Develop and Evaluate Professional Practice Two (60 credit points)
This module will strengthen your understanding of how to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners. The module includes your second period of Professional Practice. You'll develop your understanding of the need to personalise learning to meet the needs of specific learners. You'll consider some of the barriers children face in their learning and develop your awareness of a range of issues and theories around Special Educational Needs and Disability and inclusive education. You'll also cover educational philosophy.
Core
Develop and Evaluate Professional Practice Three (60 credit points)
This module includes your third period of Professional Practice where you will be supported in developing effective and inclusive classroom management skills. You’ll identify ‘best practice research’ and learn how to take a creative and inclusive approach towards innovation in your planning and teaching. You’ll reflect on your own practice and the impact your approaches have on the learning, development and progress of all children. You’ll engage with the idea of the teacher as a ‘researcher’ and develop your understanding of research methods.
Wider Perspectives (20 credit points)
This module will enable you to integrate values and beliefs into the curriculum so that it is innovated with a focus on educating the child as a global citizen for the future. You'll develop an awareness of innovative and creative approaches informed by 'best practice' research. You'll research and critically evaluate new knowledge, concepts and evidence from a range of sources and explore your own values as a teacher. You'll explore the global dimensions of education and understand how it can underpin creative planning.
Optional
You’ll choose one of the following optional modules:
Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Three (3 – 7 strand) (40 credit points)
As part of this module, you’ll further extend your subject knowledge for teaching the core subjects and to support your understanding of the holistic and interconnectedness of learning. You’ll develop an awareness of responsive, innovative and creative approaches informed by ‘best practice’ research which supports young children’s sense of well-being, involvement and engagement. You’ll develop the confidence to articulate your emerging ideas and values effectively and be aware of the impact these have on your own practice.
Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Three (5 – 11 strand) (40 credit points)
As part of this module, you’ll further extend your subject knowledge for teaching in the core subjects and in your chosen area of foundation subjects. You’ll evaluate your own subject knowledge in aspects of the 5-11 curriculum and identify further areas for development. You’ll also explore the global dimensions of education and understand how it can underpin creative planning.
Core
Develop and Evaluate Professional Practice Four (20 credit points)
This module will develop your aspirations as a future teacher and potential leader in schools. It includes your final period of Professional Practice. This will allow you the opportunity to demonstrate that you can be an outstanding and creatively innovative teacher. It will enable you to empower others and lead change within your educational context.
Principles in Practice Four (40 credit points)
This module will stimulate your thinking about learning and teaching and develop mastery within your own practice. You’ll refine and deepen your skills as a reflective practitioner and as a teacher-researcher so that this continues throughout your teaching career; to establish a professional learning journey which will nourish your practice and sustain in the long term. You’ll carry out an independent empirical study focused on an area/subject of your choice. You will apply research skills in this context and will be expected to offer, in your chosen area, new insights and ideas into how provision in this area might be carried forward in your practice. The module also includes a focus on Special and Inclusive Education.
Optional
You’ll choose one of the following optional modules:
Leading Primary Practice (60 credit points)
As part of this module, you'll use and apply your emerging leadership and management skills through collaborative group work. The module will allow you to gain an understanding of your own emerging strengths in the leadership and management of a team. You'll also develop your confidence in leading change and articulating your vision for primary education through the development of policy and practice. You'll share your professional learning through disseminating the findings of your research study to your peers for critical review.
Leading Early Years Practice (60 credit points)
As part of this module, you'll use and apply your emerging leadership and management skills through collaborative group work. The module will allow you to gain an understanding of your own emerging strengths in the leadership and management of a team. You'll also develop your confidence in leading change and articulating your vision for primary education through the development of policy and practice. You'll share your professional learning through disseminating the findings of your research study to your peers for critical review.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you're taught
Learning from experts
You’ll be taught by former primary and early years teachers who have a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching. Our lecturers are highly respected researchers within their fields of education, working with national associations and partnership schools. Many work more widely with subject associations and as school governors.
Placement
You’ll be well-prepared for a future in teaching with placements in a range of settings through our extensive network of partner schools and institutions.
You’ll spend a minimum of 160 days in professional placement across the four years, giving real-life context to your studies and hands-on experience. Professional placements are integrated within the course with each ranging from five to eight weeks. You’ll also benefit from placement opportunities engaging with 0-3 year olds, Key Stage 3 and Special Schools.
In Year Three, there’ll also be the opportunity for you to organise an educational placement in a community or international setting.
Enrichment opportunities
A number of enrichment opportunities are offered as part of the course to enhance your learning including:
- A subsidised fieldwork trip in Year One
- Forest School experience in Year One and Year Three
- Take One Picture project in Year Two, linked to the National Gallery
- Special placement in Year Three where you chose to spend at least ten days in an educational context anywhere in the world
- Extra school-based projects including Core Week and SEND Week.
- Masters module in school leadership in Year Four
- Education for Sustainable Development opportunities: Values Week, Inclusion, Wider perspectives (SiP certificate), SEND experiences
- Additional award opportunity, for example NTU award, SiP (Sustainability in Practice)
- Publications opportunities.
How you're assessed
- Year 1 coursework
- Year 2 coursework
- Year 3 coursework
- Year 4 coursework
Contact hours
You will have around 10 – 12 hours per week of contact time (lectures, seminars and workshops) with our teaching staff which is around 30% of a full-time week. Approximately 90% of our teaching is in-person. The remaining 70% of your time will be devoted to independent study. Some weeks will also involve block placements.
Careers and employability
What skills will I develop?
Through your degree, you’ll develop a set of skills that are valuable in primary education, as well as being transferrable to a range of careers. These include:
- knowledge of teaching and learning processes
- thinking critically and creatively
- initiating and challenging ideas
- planning and organisation
- patience and flexibility
- knowledge of child development
- interpretive and analytical thinking
- problem solving skills
- oral and written communication.
Your future career
Graduates have gained positions in primary schools in the UK and overseas. Primary Education graduates also find employment in government departments, educational publishing, social service agencies, and research fields.
Our graduates are following a variety of career paths including roles as:
- Primary School Teacher
- Early Years Practitioner
- Family and Child Community Worker
- Special Education Teacher
- Teaching Assistant
- Supply Teacher.
Our close relationships with partnership schools leads to a high proportion of graduates taking up employment locally.
With four periods of professional practice and wider enrichment opportunities, such as field work and specialisation, our graduates are confident, critical and creative professionals committed to the development of all through education and highly employable. Our emphasis on subject leadership in the final year of the course ensures that graduates are well placed to lead innovative practice in school.
Teaching salaries
The average starting salary for a teacher is £30,000 and experienced teachers can earn up to £56,959, with Head Teachers reaching salaries over £139,000 (DfE website, 2023).
From the outset of your training, you will focus on developing your teaching skills and demonstrating the impact of children's learning.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Learning a new language can:
- Enhance your communication skills
- Enrich your experience when travelling abroad
- Boost your career prospects.
If you’d like to know more about NTU’s groundbreaking Employability Promise, and the support you’ll receive both during and after your course, visit our Careers and Employability page.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Ada Byron King building, with access to facilities including our specially designed teaching rooms simulating primary classrooms for design and technology, art and science. These purpose-built classrooms will help prepare you for a future in teaching, giving you the chance to gain hands-on experience in a realistic environment.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to three qualifications.
Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to three qualifications.
Other requirements: An interview and writing task, and GCSE English, Maths and Science at grade C / 4 as this is a statutory requirement for anyone intending to enter the teaching profession. We accept the GCSE equivalency taken via equivalencytesting.com or astarequivalency.co.uk.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary and a Fitness to Practise declaration.
It may strengthen your application to have had some experience in a classroom in a UK mainstream school, setting or college, although this is not an entry requirement. If you do wish to gain some experience prior to your application, you can find out more about how to arrange this on the DfE website - School Experience Programme.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to three A levels. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
Other requirements: An interview and writing task, and GCSE English, Maths and Science at grade C / 4 as this is a statutory requirement for anyone intending to enter the teaching profession. We accept the GCSE equivalency taken via equivalencytesting.com or astarequivalency.co.uk.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary and a Fitness to Practice declaration.
It may strengthen your application to have had some experience in a classroom in a UK mainstream school, setting or college, although this is not an entry requirement. If you do wish to gain some experience prior to your application, you can find out more about how to arrange this on the DfE website - School Experience Programme
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
