Primary Education (3-7 years) BA(Hons) with QTS

Course structure

This course is delivered through workshops, practical sessions and school-based training.

There are no written exams on this route. You will be assessed in a variety of ways, such as assignments and collaborative group presentations. Your school-based training is assessed in conjunction with our partnership schools.

You will learn to provide developmental support to learners from foundation to Key Stage 1, encouraging a love of learning to help children reach their full potential.

You will gain a knowledge and understanding of the full primary curriculum, with subject studies to strengthen your specialist knowledge in your chosen area, while you start to develop your leadership and management skills.

Some course details may change as we work to ensure our courses are up to date with new government education policy, initiatives, and changes in the education system.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

Year 1

Modules

• Education Studies: How Children Learn

  This module will support you to develop an understanding of pedagogy and professionalism in an early years and primary context.

• English and Language Acquisition

  This module will introduce you to relevant theory, research and practice, enabling you to understand children’s development as speakers, listeners, readers and writers (including the nature and function of the teacher’s role in this process). You will develop your subject knowledge and understanding of the teaching of English and the principles that underpin effective practice in the EYFS and primary phase. This will be framed in the context of current legislation and curricular policy to support preparation for your first placement.

• Exploring Learning and Teaching in Mathematics and Computing

  This module will introduce you to relevant theory, research and practice in order to develop confidence and positive attitude towards mathematics and computing.

  You will develop your understanding of how children develop as mathematicians and will be introduced to the core concepts and key processes of computer science. It will be underpinned by current government legislation and curricular policy to support you in your school based training.

• Teaching Primary Science

  This module will enable you to become aware of your capabilities in relation to subject knowledge and to challenge and address personal misconceptions in scientific concepts.

  It will introduce you to relevant theory, research and practice in order to gain a broad understanding of how children learn science and the methodology associated with it. You will be guided to make effective and creative pedagogic choices in order to support pupil progress. This will be framed in the context of current government legislation and curricula and prepare you for your school based training.

• Introducing the Foundation Subjects and RE

  In this module you will develop your curriculum awareness and understanding of the effective planning, resourcing and teaching of art, design and technology, modern foreign languages, music, geography, history, physical education and religious education across the EYFS and primary age phases, as appropriate.

• School Based Training 1

  This module is the first of three school based training modules, and will provide you with opportunities to gain specific experiences in order to develop and demonstrate professional attributes, skills, knowledge and understanding linked explicitly to the Teachers’ Standards. You will develop insights into pupils’ learning and the role of planning and assessment to facilitate pupil progress. It will enable you to reflect upon and evaluate your experiences, identify professional strengths and development needs and set targets for improvement.

Year 2

Modules

• Education Studies: Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
• Teaching English, Principled Practice and Current Policy
• Deepening Subject and Pedagogic Knowledge to Impact on Children's Mathematical Understanding
• Curriculum Design and Enhanced Practice in Foundation Subjects and RE
• School-based Training 2

Options*

• Developing Expertise in Teaching and Learning in Art and Design
• Enhancing Computing Subject Knowledge
• Story: How We Use Language to Imagine Entertain and Understand
• Developing Curriculum Expertise in Primary History and Geography
• Developing Mathematical Thinking
• Developing Expertise in Primary Physical Education
• Developing Expertise in Primary Personal, Social and Health Education
• Science, Scientists and Working Scientifically

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Final year

Modules

• Contemporary Curriculum Studies and SEND
• Education Studies: Preparing to Lead Children’s Learning
• Individual Professional Enquiry
• School-based Training 3

Options*

• Processes and Practices: Developing a Rationale for Art, Craft and Design in the Primary Classroom
• Teaching Primary Computing
• Language, Thought and Learning
• Creative Curriculum Design in History or Geography
• Contemporary Issues in the Teaching and Learning of Primary Mathematics
• Outdoor and Adventurous Activities, and Swimming and Water Safety
• Developing Expertise in Citizenship Education and Religious Education
• Science Beyond the Classroom

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

 School-based training

School-based training in a partnership placement school forms an important element of each year of study.

You will be asked to complete a school-based training information form when you start your course and we will use this information to match you to a suitable placement. We will consider your previous experience, travelling distance, the age phases you wish to teach, and your current needs.

We will fully prepared leading up to your school-based training and will be supported by both the university and a school-based mentor throughout your training. Almost all of our placements will be with partner schools in south-east England, most of them in East and West Sussex.

In your first year you will spend a block of approximately three months in school – starting at two days a week increasing to full-time. You will be paired with another trainee and will teach a maximum 50% timetable.

In your second year you will be in school for a block of approximately two months. This will again be a paired placement and you will teach to a 50% timetable.

In your final year you will be in school for another three months but this time will teach up to a 75% timetable. The final placement is not paired.

I have really loved all four of my teaching placements, which have been incredibly varied, from a small village school with mixed year groups to a large urban primary school with a diverse intake.

Jennifer Lamb, Primary Education with QTS (3–7 years) BA(Hons)

Ofsted

In our most recent Initial Teacher Education inspection report, the University of Brighton was graded 'outstanding'.

Ofsted identified some of our key strengths as:

• the very high attainment of the majority of trainees
• the expertly designed and diverse range of programmes that respond to trainees' backgrounds, needs and interests as well as to national priorities
• the outstanding progress made by trainees as a result of training, which enables them to fulfil their potential
• inspirational teaching, tutoring and mentoring that model the best teaching and give trainees the ambition to reach the highest standards
• highly reflective trainees who demonstrate good subject knowledge and a breadth of understanding of how to teach
• an excellent range of training experiences that effectively prepare trainees to teach in a diverse society
• the excellent resources available to trainees
• leadership that is dynamic in its approach to anticipating change and solving problems
• a visionary approach to innovation and change.

Staff profile

Keith Beuttell-Triggs, programme leader

Keith trained as a primary teacher at the University of Brighton and qualified in 1992. Over 11 plus years Keith taught in a range of school settings across East Sussex, working in roles including class teacher in KS2, PE coordinator, science coordinator, behaviour management coordinator and assistant Head of School.

Keith started as a senior lecturer for the School of Education in 2003. Before becoming programme leader he was assistant programme lead, as well as responsible for student engagement.

Keith’s passion is science which he teaches across all three years of our primary education programmes. He has also taught across a range of other courses within the School of Education including PGCE and Work-Based Learning routes.

In 2006 he completed his Education MA, researching how specialist interactive equipment may support teaching of science.

Course fees

Transport costs associated with travel to and from your placement will be reimbursed.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Education are listed here.

• You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
• In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget approximately £30 for printing.
• For courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your travel expenses but you may be able to claim some travel costs back from the university, depending on where your placement is in relation to where you live.
• Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £150 to buy your own copies
• You may wish to consider budgeting up to £25 for stationery/teaching materials

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus