BA (Hons) Primary Education (5 to 11)

This course combines academic study and practical teaching experience at every level. These 2 sides of the degree constantly feed into each other as you learn. The knowledge and theory you gain on campus informs your teaching practice on school placements.

Through your classroom sessions on campus you will study:

• The primary curriculum - this will build your subject knowledge and teaching skills across the primary curriculum
• Professional studies modules - these provide essential overarching theoretical background, knowledge and teaching skills
• Educational research - this will allow you to use research to support your studies and to carry out your own research project

Meanwhile on your school placements you will gradually take on more and more responsibility as you progress through the course. Across the 3 years you will carry out 26 weeks of placements. Eventually you will be ready to lead a class of your own. We have very good relationships with our school partnerships across the region. When you are on placement you will be part of this partnership and will get involved in all aspects of school life.

You will have opportunities to tailor your course to your interests, specialising in the areas that interest you most. As well as focusing on the 5 to 11 age group, in your final year you can choose a further specialism such as Creativity in Primary Education or Digital Learning.

York St John University is an accredited Initial Teacher Training provider. This means that when you graduate you will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) by the Teaching Regulation Agency.

If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to Higher Education, this is a great option for you.

You will need to meet the following criteria by the end of your Foundation Year to progress on to the Primary Education 3-7 Years BA (Hons) degree:

• A satisfactory medical report and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check
• 5 GCSEs at grade C/4/Level 4 or above (or equivalent) including English, Mathematics and Science
• Successful interview with the Primary Education team.

If you do not meet these criteria, you will have the option to transfer onto one of the other BA (Hons) courses associated with the Foundation Year instead. A list of these is available on the Foundation Year course page.

Qualifications

• 120 UCAS Tariff points
• 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language, Maths and Science. We do not accept IELTs in lieu of the GCSE in English.

Additional Requirements

For entry onto this course, you will also need:

• To pass a satisfactory medical report
• To pass a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check
• An Overseas Police Check (where applicable)
• To pass additional safeguarding checks including a prohibition check and other checks in line with the Government Keeping Children Safe in Education policy. 

Interview

You will need to attend an interview for this course. Find out more about the Primary Education interviews, what you will need and what you can expect on the day.

International Students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

This course does not accept IELTS in lieu of the English Language GCSE.

In order to gain full QTS status, students will need to work for at least a year in a UK school following the completion of their degree. This course is therefore only suitable for international applicants who are eligible to work in the UK without a visa.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

This course is designed to prepare you for a career as a Primary School Teacher, meeting the standards set by the Department for Education. As well as graduating with your academic degree, you will be recommended by the university for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is awarded by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) and will enable you to teach as a qualified teacher in a school in England or Wales. You will start your career as a teacher who places children at the centre of learning and teaching.