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BA PRIMARY EDUCATION WITH MUSIC (QTS)

  • UCAS code
    X1W3
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     3 years
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     3 years
View all

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Study BA Primary Education with Music Specialism (QTS) and pursue your passion for music to a degree level whilst training to be a specialist 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 specialist primary school teachers and many of our graduates go on to become subject leaders. Furthermore, we are ranked 7th in the UK for Education (The Guardian University Guide 2021).

You will divide your time between studying modules on professional skills and curriculum subjects, and developing your skills as a musician. The former will introduce you to the core National Curriculum subjects, including Information and Communications Technology (ICT). You will develop skills essential to the role of a teacher, including leadership, classroom management, and evaluation and assessment. You can then put these skills into practice through professional placements, which take place throughout the course. Additionally you will study professional legal requirements, and investigate the role of the teacher and how children develop.

In music you will develop your skills as a solo and ensemble performer, including improvising, composing, conducting and ensemble directing. Additionally, you will develop your theoretical knowledge through modules on music history, analysis and research into music education. This will provide you with a thorough knowledge of music alongside a grounding in tackling the key issues and challenges that you may face within the classroom. Finally, there is a key component within the Music Specialism for you to develop leadership skills in order to lead music in primary schools.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to carry out placements throughout this course. These will take place within local schools that the Institute of Education has active relationships with. Whilst there you will be mentored by a teacher and assigned a University tutor, who will provide you with additional support.

During your first year you will attend a weekly placement, which will familiarise you with the daily routine of the classroom and link in with your professional modules. For example, you may have to complete an observation for an assignment.

You will also complete a block placement during each year of the course. You will spend four weeks in a Key Stage 1 (KS1) setting during your first year, seven weeks in a KS2 setting in the second year, and an eight-week placement in a Key Stage of your choice during the final year.

For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website. 

Overview

Study BA Primary Education with Music Specialism (QTS) and pursue your passion for music to a degree level whilst training to be a specialist 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 specialist primary school teachers and many of our graduates go on to become subject leaders. Furthermore, we are ranked 7th in the UK for Education (The Guardian University Guide 2021).

You will divide your time between studying modules on professional skills and curriculum subjects, and developing your skills as a musician. The former will introduce you to the core National Curriculum subjects, including Information and Communications Technology (ICT). You will develop skills essential to the role of a teacher, including leadership, classroom management, and evaluation and assessment. You can then put these skills into practice through professional placements, which take place throughout the course. Additionally you will study professional legal requirements, and investigate the role of the teacher and how children develop.

In music you will develop your skills as a solo and ensemble performer, including improvising, composing, conducting and ensemble directing. Additionally, you will develop your theoretical knowledge through modules on music history, analysis and research into music education. This will provide you with a thorough knowledge of music alongside a grounding in tackling the key issues and challenges that you may face within the classroom. Finally, there is a key component within the Music Specialism for you to develop leadership skills in order to lead music in primary schools.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to carry out placements throughout this course. These will take place within local schools that the Institute of Education has active relationships with. Whilst there you will be mentored by a teacher and assigned a University tutor, who will provide you with additional support.

During your first year you will attend a weekly placement, which will familiarise you with the daily routine of the classroom and link in with your professional modules. For example, you may have to complete an observation for an assignment.

You will also complete a block placement during each year of the course. You will spend four weeks in a Key Stage 1 (KS1) setting during your first year, seven weeks in a KS2 setting in the second year, and an eight-week placement in a Key Stage of your choice during the final year.

For more information, please visit the Institute of Education website. 

Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 Pts overall

This degree is not included in our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

BBB, including grade B in A level subject related to Music

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall including 5 in Music at higher level

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

GCSE

Grade C (4) or equivalent in English, Maths and a Science

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 music, 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. You should be grade 6 standard, or above, on your main instrument (or voice) and have at least basic piano skills. We also accept BTEC level 3 in music related subjects.

Please contact the Admissions Office on +44118 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.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

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.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Core modules include:

  • The arts, children and education 1: music
  • English and communication in the primary curriculum 1
  • Mathematics in the primary school
  • Professional studies 1
  • School experience 1
  • Subject specialism 1: music
  • Teaching practical sessions in science and physical education

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • The arts, children and education 2: music
  • Enabling progress In mathematics and science
  • English and communication in the primary curriculum 2
  • Professional studies 2
  • School experience 2
  • Subject specialism 2: music
  • The foundation subjects in the primary curriculum

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • The arts, children and education 3: music
  • Formative assessment in science and physical education
  • Professional studies and inclusion
  • Refining pedagogy in English and mathematics
  • School experience 3
  • Subject specialism 3: music

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year

New international students: £19,500 per year

*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 or music tutoring. We will provide you with careers advice throughout the course, and can also give support when preparing for interviews.

Overall, 98% of our students are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course [1]

[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 First Degree, Postgraduate (Taught) and Postgraduate (Research) responders from the Institute of Education.

 

I chose Reading because it looked really interesting to me as a musician. It gave me the opportunity to do something I loved in both ways: to build myself as a musician, developing my knowledge and pushing boundaries, as well as becoming a teacher. I didn’t see any other course like this one, with the musical depth. It really extends you.

Kirsty Rowley

BA Primary Education with Music

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Related Courses

  • BA Primary Education with Art (QTS) X1W1
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BA Primary Education with English (QTS) X1Q3
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BA Primary Education with Mathematics (QTS) XG11
    Full Time: 3 Years
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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