BA Primary Education (QTS)
-
UCAS code
X1S2 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
Applications for this programme are now closed
Our BA Primary Education (QTS) programme is specifically designed to enable students to develop a strong identity as a primary teacher.
The BA Primary Education (QTS) programme has been designed to enable students to develop a strong identity as a primary teacher.
Throughout your three years with us, you will undertake core and optional modules. All your modules are carefully aligned to develop and nurture your enthusiasms and ambitions. You will leave the course with a strong identity as a beginner teacher with the scope to further develop into an educator of the future.
In your first year, you are introduced to teaching and learning within specialist Art, Music, English and/or Mathematics modules. In your professional and core subject lectures, you will start to understand and unpick the nature of teaching in primary schools and the primary curriculum. You will be placed in a Key Stage 1 classroom and your work will be assessed through coursework, presentations and in some cases, practical workshops.
In your second year, you will continue to develop a greater depth of understanding of how children learn through your chosen optional modules. In the professional and core subject lectures, you will unpack the progression of ideas in all areas of the primary curriculum. Your placement will be in a Key Stage 2 classroom and your work will be assessed through course work, presentations and in some cases, practical workshops.
Your final year continues to develop your understanding of early leadership in a chosen subject through the optional modules. Your placement will be in either Key Stage 1 or 2 and your final year dissertation will investigate an area of education research that you are interested in. Your professional and core lectures will focus on issues of inclusion within primary education.
This course will enable you to get a job as a primary school teacher following graduation. There is a high demand for primary school teachers and many of our graduates are offered jobs before they have finished the course. Furthermore, we are ranked 9th in the UK for Education (The Guardian University Guide 2023).
Climate and sustainability education
At the University of Reading we believe that climate and sustainability education is everyone’s responsibility. This is why we have set out our vision that all initial teacher trainees should be able to access training that empowers them to effectively incorporate climate education within their teaching across all levels and subjects as part of our National Climate Education Action Plan.
Across all of our ITT programmes at the Institute of Education, you will learn about:
- what is happening to our climate, how to help children learn about climate and sustainability in an age-appropriate and accessible way, and how to develop your own positioning as a teacher
- climate justice, the impact of current and future changes to our environment and climate on ourselves and others and implications for teachers
- how to translate knowledge and theory into change and personal action through building climate and sustainability education into your planning, teaching, and children’s learning.
Visit our Partnering for the Planet to find out more about the University of Reading’s world-leading work in climate science.
For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website.
Overview
Our BA Primary Education (QTS) programme is specifically designed to enable students to develop a strong identity as a primary teacher.
The BA Primary Education (QTS) programme has been designed to enable students to develop a strong identity as a primary teacher.
Throughout your three years with us, you will undertake core and optional modules. All your modules are carefully aligned to develop and nurture your enthusiasms and ambitions. You will leave the course with a strong identity as a beginner teacher with the scope to further develop into an educator of the future.
In your first year, you are introduced to teaching and learning within specialist Art, Music, English and/or Mathematics modules. In your professional and core subject lectures, you will start to understand and unpick the nature of teaching in primary schools and the primary curriculum. You will be placed in a Key Stage 1 classroom and your work will be assessed through coursework, presentations and in some cases, practical workshops.
In your second year, you will continue to develop a greater depth of understanding of how children learn through your chosen optional modules. In the professional and core subject lectures, you will unpack the progression of ideas in all areas of the primary curriculum. Your placement will be in a Key Stage 2 classroom and your work will be assessed through course work, presentations and in some cases, practical workshops.
Your final year continues to develop your understanding of early leadership in a chosen subject through the optional modules. Your placement will be in either Key Stage 1 or 2 and your final year dissertation will investigate an area of education research that you are interested in. Your professional and core lectures will focus on issues of inclusion within primary education.
This course will enable you to get a job as a primary school teacher following graduation. There is a high demand for primary school teachers and many of our graduates are offered jobs before they have finished the course. Furthermore, we are ranked 9th in the UK for Education (The Guardian University Guide 2023).
Climate and sustainability education
At the University of Reading we believe that climate and sustainability education is everyone’s responsibility. This is why we have set out our vision that all initial teacher trainees should be able to access training that empowers them to effectively incorporate climate education within their teaching across all levels and subjects as part of our National Climate Education Action Plan.
Across all of our ITT programmes at the Institute of Education, you will learn about:
- what is happening to our climate, how to help children learn about climate and sustainability in an age-appropriate and accessible way, and how to develop your own positioning as a teacher
- climate justice, the impact of current and future changes to our environment and climate on ourselves and others and implications for teachers
- how to translate knowledge and theory into change and personal action through building climate and sustainability education into your planning, teaching, and children’s learning.
Visit our Partnering for the Planet to find out more about the University of Reading’s world-leading work in climate science.
For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
This degree is not included in our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
BBB from three A levels
As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview.
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
GCSE
Grade C (4) or equivalent in English, Maths and Science
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
Other information
It is an ongoing requirement for all teacher training students to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure they are able to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. If you are offered a place on the BA (QTS) course and you accept that offer, you will need to undertake this process. There is a charge for the DBS check, which is set by the Disclosure Service.
You will be required to undertake a criminal record and occupational health check. You will also need to demonstrate competence in Fundamental English and mathematics by the end of the course. This is a new DfE requirement which replaces the QTS skills tests in literacy and numeracy. Information can be found on the Department for Education website.
Candidates must spend at least 5 days before the start of the course gaining recent and relevant experience in a state primary school in the UK. They must also have an A level grade B or 5 IB points in a subject related to English, as well as a GCSE grade C or equivalent in English, Maths and a science. A face-to-face interview is an essential part of the application process.
Please contact the Admissions Office on +44 118 378 2622 should you have any questions.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
ED1EC1 | English and Communication in the Primary Curriculum 1 | MRS Stephanie Sharp |
ED1EFI | The Primary Classroom: Education for Inclusion | DR Anna Tsakalaki |
ED1MP1 | Mathematics in the Primary School | DR Nasreen Majid |
ED1PS1 | Professional Studies 1 | MISS Cara Broadhurst |
ED1SP1 | Teaching Practical Sessions in Science and Physical Education | MRS Gwenda Lappin |
ED1SX1 | School Experience 1 | MISS Cara Broadhurst |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
ED1AC1 | The Arts, Children and Education 1: Art Education and the Role of the Subject Leader in Primary Art | MRS Emily Yearsley |
ED1AC2 | The Arts, Children and Education 1: English | DR Alison Silby |
ED1AC3 | The Arts, Children and Education 1 : Music | DR Rebecca Berkley |
ED1AC4 | Mathematics, Children and Education 1 | DR Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
ED2EC1 | English and Communication in The Primary Curriculum 2 | MRS Stephanie Sharp |
ED2GCP | Global Citizenship in the Primary Classroom | MRS Stephanie Sharp |
ED2MS1 | Enabling Progress in Mathematics and Science | MR James Davies |
ED2PF1 | The Foundation Subjects in the Primary Curriculum | MRS Gwenda Lappin |
ED2PS1 | Professional Studies 2 | MISS Cara Broadhurst |
ED2SX1 | School Experience 2 | MISS Cara Broadhurst |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
ED2AC1 | The Arts, Children and Education 2 : Concepts in Art Education | MS Suzy Tutchell |
ED2AC2 | The Arts, Children and Education 2: English | DR Alison Silby |
ED2AC3 | The Arts, Children and Education 2 : Music | DR Rebecca Berkley |
ED2AC4 | Mathematics, Children and Education 2 | DR Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
ED3EM1 | Refining Pedagogy in English and Mathematics | DR Nasreen Majid |
ED3PI1 | Professional Studies and Inclusion | MISS Cara Broadhurst |
ED3SP1 | Formative Assessment In Science And Physical Education | MR Daniel James |
ED3SX1 | School Experience 3 | MISS Cara Broadhurst |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
ED3AC1 | The Arts, Children and Education 3: Contemporary Art and the primary curriculum | MS Suzy Tutchell |
ED3AC2 | The Arts, Children and Education 3: English | MRS Stephanie Sharp |
ED3AC3 | The Arts, Children And Education 3 : Music | DR Rebecca Berkley |
ED3AC4 | Mathematics, Children and Education 3 | MR James Davies |
ED3SA1 | Subject Specialism 3 : Contemporary Art and Personal Practice | MS Suzy Tutchell |
ED3SE1 | Subject Specialism 3: English | MRS Stephanie Sharp |
ED3SM1 | Subject Specialism 3 : Music | MR Mark Aitchison |
ED3SS1 | Subject Specialism 3: Mathematics- Inclusion, diversity and intervention | MR James Davies |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £20,300
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
As a graduate of this course you will be able to work as a teacher or teaching assistant in a primary school, or move into nursery education. We will provide you with careers advice throughout the course, and can also give support when preparing for interviews.
Our excellent links with local schools ensure that our employment rates are consistently high. Overall, 98% of our students are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course [1]
[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20 First Degree, Postgraduate (Taught) and Postgraduate (Research) responders from the Institute of Education.