Primary Education (QTS) BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): X101
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Four years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Primary education is a fundamental part of any child’s development. Through primary education, children learn the skills that equip them for their future. By studying this BA (Hons) Primary Education degree at NTU, you’ll be prepared for a career as a Primary or Early Years teacher - making a real difference to young learners.
This is one of the most highly regarded courses in the country, with an enviable employment record. Our close relationship with partnership schools means you gain a wide experience of teaching in many different kinds of educational settings, from large inner-city academies to small, rural schools.
With this comprehensive four-year degree, you’ll develop the depth and breadth of your subject knowledge. Our expert tutors will support you so that you can begin your career as a confident and innovative teacher with the skills and experience demanded by schools.
*This course is subject to change due to an ongoing government consultation. For the latest information, please visit www.gov.uk/dfe
Why study this four-year course?
We don’t take a three-year course and stretch it out over four years. We build in enrichment opportunities and a greater depth of study which would not be possible on a three-year course. We can provide you with more time in school – at least 160 days, but this is likely to be higher depending on your specific choices. Each placement ranges from five to eight weeks and helps you to become an excellent and highly reflective primary teacher. Our students appreciate the extra time to develop their skills before beginning their careers in primary education. Our students appreciate the extra time to develop their skills before beginning their career in primary education.
Enrichment opportunities may include:
- a subsidised fieldwork trip in Year One
- the Take One Picture project, linked to the National Gallery
- a 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.
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Accreditation for Qualified Teacher Status with the Department for Education, allowing you to take a post as an Early Career Teacher upon completion. -
Specialise in Early Years or Primary Education with a subject focus. -
Enhanced enrichment and placement opportunities in a variety of educational settings. -
Leading Primary / Early Years Practice module can be studied at Masters level. Successful completion at Masters level will result in 60 credits towards a full Masters degree.
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
Year One and Two
On this degree there is equal attention given to your professional development and teaching skills. In Year One and Two you will focus on your professional development and discover more about how children learn in educational contexts. The broad base of these two years allows you to learn to teach all areas of the curriculum and to work in schools with children across the 3 – 11 age range.
Years Three and Four
In Years Three and Four you opt to focus on teaching either the three to seven age range or the five to eleven age range, although the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) qualifies you to teach across the whole three to eleven age range.
Early Years specialism (3 - 7 years)
If you opt for the 3 – 7 age strand, you will continue to study English, Mathematics and Science tailored to the specific needs of this age phase. Your studies will concentrate on the breadth and interrelated nature of the curriculum and will support you in teaching in early years settings or Key Stage 1 classrooms.
Primary subject specialism (5 – 11 years)
If you opt for the 5 – 11 strand you will continue to study the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. You will also opt to develop strengths in chosen areas of the wider curriculum.
By the end of the course it is expected that you will be able to critically reflect on your own learning and thinking processes in order to further develop your own subject knowledge in a range of curriculum areas, through extending and generalising ideas with a focus on applying them to classroom situations.
There are two 60 credit modules in Years One, Two and Three: Professional and Educational Development, and Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies. In Year Three the Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies module is offered with either a 3 – 7 years, or 5 – 11 years focus. In your final year you will undertake Professional and Educational Development Four, and a module entitled Leading Early Years Practice (3 – 7 years) or Leading Primary Practice (5 – 11 years). As part of this module you will engage in a collaborative Leadership and Management project and an independent study. There is the option to study this module at Masters-level and receive 60 Masters-level credits.
Professional and Educational Development One
During this module, which includes your first period of professional practice (PP), you will develop an understanding of how learners learn and how learning progresses. You will be introduced to statutory and non-statutory curricula and other relevant policies and frameworks within which teachers work and supported into considering how to apply these to the classroom context. Barriers to children’s learning and achievement will be considered and inclusive strategies to overcome these discussed.
As part of this module you will spend time in a school completing professional practice where you will be supported in learning to plan and assess children’s learning. You will be introduced to your responsibilities regarding safeguarding and children’s well-being. You will be supported in understanding 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. An important part of the module is concerned with developing skills of reflection, relating your own learning experiences to those of the children you are training to teach.
Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies One
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the statutory and non-statutory frameworks in the context of the primary curriculum subjects and areas of learning and development. We will consider children’s possible difficulties in making progress in both the core and wider curriculum and how barriers to learning can be overcome. You will be introduced to the practices and associated pedagogies specific to each subject. The module will support your understanding of progression in each subject and enable you to make relevant links between subjects / areas of learning. You will be supported in developing your subject knowledge for teaching in each subject and will be supported in recognising areas for development.
Residential Trip
This is an extra experience for all first year students, where you learn to apply your growing subject knowledge for teaching to the context of outdoor learning.
Professional and Educational Development Two
This module includes your second period of professional practice (PP). It is designed to support you in recognising the need to personalise learning and to take account of the needs of individuals and groups of learners. As a result, you will increasingly be able to meet the needs of learners through the use of appropriate planning, teaching and assessment strategies. The module considers some of the barriers children face in their learning and supports your developing awareness of a range of issues and theories around SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and inclusive education. We also aim to support you in the further development of your emerging educational philosophy. Emphasis is given to supporting your ability to engage in reflective self-assessment.
Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Two
This module will support you in developing your understanding of how to scaffold learning as appropriate to individual curriculum areas. It will also support you in making provision for children with a diverse range of needs across all areas of the curriculum. It will focus on formative assessment practices which will enable you to plan and teach lessons across curriculum subjects which feature creative and active approaches underpinned by a sound and explicit knowledge of the needs of individuals and groups of pupils and the requirements of the curriculum.
This module will provide you with the opportunity to interpret the statutory and non-statutory frameworks. It will consider how specific practices impact on children’s learning and have knowledge of a range of practices (including use of ICT) and strategies relevant to specific subjects.
This module will help develop your confidence in your own subject knowledge for teaching across both core and wider curriculum subjects and support you in recognising progression in children’s learning within curriculum subjects.
SEND / Making a Difference Fortnight
This fortnight-long experience allows you to develop your understanding and knowledge relating to SEND provision across the primary age range, and make a positive impact within a school community. This will include additional school experience in a range of settings.
Professional and Educational Development Three
This module includes your third period of professional practice where you will be supported in developing effective and inclusive classroom management skills. You will also be supported in identifying ‘best practice research’ and learn how to take a creative and inclusive approach towards innovation in your planning and teaching. There is an emphasis on developing your ability to reflect on your own practice especially in terms of the impact your approaches to teaching and learning have on the learning, development and progress of all children including children with diverse needs.
This module also aims to engage you with the idea of the teacher as ‘researcher’ and to develop your understanding of research methods. We consider how such an approach develops professional autonomy, knowledge and skills. Thus we aim to foster the development of a community of practice and an awareness of the wider teacher-researcher community.
Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Three (3 – 7 years strand)
The aim of this module is to further extend your subject knowledge for teaching in the core subjects and to support your understanding of the holistic and interconnectedness of learning. This module will support you in developing an awareness of responsive, innovative and creative approaches informed by ‘best practice’ research which support young children’s sense of wellbeing, involvement and engagement. This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to research and critically evaluate new concepts and to explore your own values as a teacher. You will be encouraged to develop the confidence to articulate effectively your emerging ideas and values and be aware of the impact these have on your own practice.
Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies Three (5 – 11 years strand)
The aim of this module is to further extend your subject knowledge for teaching in the core and in your chosen area of the wider curriculum. This module will support you in developing an awareness of three innovative and creative approaches informed by ‘best practice’ research. This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to research and critically evaluate new knowledge, concepts and evidence from a range of sources and to explore your own values as a teacher. You will explore the global dimensions of education and understand how it can underpin creative planning.
Professional and Educational Development Four
This module includes your final period of professional practice. It aims to allow you the opportunity to demonstrate that you can be an outstanding and creatively innovative teacher able to empower others and lead change within your educational context. You should aim to develop a detailed critical awareness of best practice / pedagogy in your specialist area and recognise effective approaches to classroom leadership. You should take full responsibility for your professional development during this module and be prepared to be accountable for your own progress.
This module also allows you to undertake a research-focused independent study with tutor support. Through your personal study of current national and international developments in an aspect of primary education you will develop your ability to articulate your own critical understanding of theory and practice and thus formulate your own, distinct philosophy of education. You 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. You will develop critical awareness of the current policies, debates, and practices relating to the field of SEND and inclusive education.
Leading Early Years Practice (3 – 7 years strand)
Teachers qualifying at NTU after a four year course should be empowered to lead, innovate and influence practice from an early stage of their careers. This module seeks to engage you in using and applying your emerging leadership and management skills through collaborative group work. As a result of taking this module you will gain an understanding of your own emerging strengths in the leadership and management of a team. You will also develop your confidence in leading change and articulating your vision for primary education through the development of policy and practice. This module also aims to enable you share your professional learning through disseminating the findings of your research study to your peers for critical review.
Leading Primary Practice (5 – 11 years strand)
Teachers qualifying at NTU after a four year course should be empowered to lead, innovate and influence practice from an early stage of their careers. This module seeks to engage you in using and applying your emerging leadership and management skills through collaborative group work. As a result of taking this module you will gain an understanding of your own emerging strengths in the leadership and management of a team. You will also develop your confidence in leading change and articulating your vision for early years education through the development of policy and practice. This module also aims to enable you share your professional learning through disseminating the findings of your research study to your peers for critical review.
Please note: modules are designed to reflect current educational initiatives and may be subject to change to meet Government requirements.
Further information on what you'll study
Professional accreditation
We are accredited by the UK Government's Department for Education as a provider of initial teacher-training courses. Successful completion of the course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This means you can be employed as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) in a school to complete your induction period.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (40%), independent study (35%) and placements (25%).
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (35%), independent study (35%) and placements (30%).
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (35%), independent study (30%) and placements (35%).
- Year 4 lectures/seminars/workshops (25%), independent study (40%) and placements (35%).
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (100%)
- Year 2 coursework (100%)
- Year 3 coursework (100%)
- Year 4 coursework (100%)
Careers and employability
Your career development
What skills will I develop?
Through their Primary Education degree, graduates develop a valuable set of skills that are transferrable to a range of careers, including:
- 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.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
- Five GCSEs at grade C / 4 or above, including English, Maths and Science.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other requirements
- an interview and English test;
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary
- a Fitness to Practise declaration; and
- 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
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
What are we looking for?
- 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
- Five GCSEs at grade C / 4 or above, including English, Maths and Science.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other requirements
- an interview and English test;
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and any other safeguarding checks that may be necessary
- a Fitness to Practise declaration; and
- 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
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Tuition fees for September 2023 entry
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. Visit our fees page for more information.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Additional Costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Students completing the four year degree may choose to apply for a study abroad option instead of a work placement (or a mixture of study abroad and work placement) during the third year of the course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on study abroad/placement. Travel grants and Erasmus funding may be available to help fund international travel costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Interviews
All suitable candidates for this course will be required to attend a face-to-face interview at Clifton Campus.
What to expect at interview
The interview will last for the whole day. You will receive a campus tour, welcome talk, complete a written task, work with a small group of applicants and a student ambassador on a creative and discussion based 'group task', and have a one-to-one interview with a member of the teaching team.
School experience
School observation experience can enhance your application. It will also help you to confirm that teaching is the right career choice for you.
Diversity of our students
We are committed to promoting a diverse and representative body of teacher trainees. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, such as male applicants, applicants from BME communities, mature applicants and those with disabilities.
All applicants welcome
We welcome applications from prospective students with a range of qualifications and experience, and all are assessed on an individual basis. Mature applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria can still be considered providing they have relevant experience to compliment any qualifications. All applicants will need to apply through UCAS.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.
Good luck with your application!
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.