Course in brief

This course is for those looking to qualify as a primary teacher, focusing on the 5–11 age range. As a practitioner you will provide developmental support to learners from Key Stage 1 and 2, encouraging a love of learning to help children reach their full potential.

The course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status, enabling you to teach in England and Wales. We have been training teachers for over 100 years and in our most recent Ofsted inspection were rated ‘outstanding’.

Our emphasis is on enabling you to apply your learning to real-life situations and challenges. You will benefit from our partnerships with over 600 schools where you’ll gain practical school-based experience in a wide range of settings: large, small, rural and urban.

From art and design and children’s literature to mathematics, science and computing, we offer a diverse range of modules to give you the knowledge, skills and understanding required to become an outstanding teacher.

You will learn from our enthusiastic course team who have many years’ experience in schools. Our facilities include a curriculum centre which houses more than 30,000 specialist resources for trainee teachers.

You will also benefit from having an individual support tutor who will help guide you through your academic and professional development as you progress through the course.

If you are interested in teaching a specific subject at primary level, you can specialise in mathematics or English at Brighton.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer 

UCAS code X122

Full-time 3 years

Accredited by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL)

Before starting this course you will need to have passed the professional skills tests; if you have not already completed these you are advised to take them as soon as possible.

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Apply now with UCAS

Start in 2018: how to apply

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2018. They should be used as a general guide.

We operate a flexible admissions policy – this means that you could receive a lower conditional offer than the typical offer, informed by our assessment of your complementary non-academic achievements and experiences. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer that follows if your application is successful.

A-levels
BBB.

BTEC
DDM.

International Baccalaureate
30 points; specified subjects.

Access to HE Diploma
pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 15 credits at distinction and the rest at merit.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
at least five subjects including English language, mathematics and science.

Professional Skills Tests


You have to pass the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy before you begin your teacher training. These tests are compulsory and it will not be possible to enter training without having successfully completed them. You are able to book these tests in advance. The Department for Education (DfE) strongly advises you to take the tests soon after you have submitted an application.

As of February 2018 new changes to these tests means that you can make unlimited attempts and the first three attempts are free of charge. The DfE has also removed the lock-out period that previously prevented you from re-taking tests for two years.

You do not need to have completed these tests prior to making an application or attending an interview however your offer will be subject to successful completion.

The University of Brighton recognises that these tests may present a challenge to some candidates and we recommend that you prepare before attempting them. Further resources to help you with the numeracy test can be found in the 'Course in detail' section below.

Find out more about the tests including how to register and prepare on the DfE website.

Experience

While experience in a school is not a condition of entry for initial teacher education courses we recommend that you take up opportunities to gain a realistic understanding of whether teaching is right for you. The Get Into Teaching School Experience Programme offers opportunities across the country to book a day’s worth of experience.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.5 overall, at least 6.0 in all four skills.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

Other
All offers are subject to an occupational health check and Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check.

Applicants from minority ethnic and other groups under-represented in the profession, including men in primary teaching, are particularly welcome. 

Course in detail

Course structure

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

You will spend around a quarter of each year in school-based training. Ofsted identify our approach to training in schools as a key strength of this course, with an excellent balance between university tuition and school-based training.

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

From year 2 you’ll be able to study an area of subject interest leading to advanced knowledge and graduate confidently able to teach Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Areas of study
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.

UoB-SchofEd-024-JH

Year 1

Modules

  • Education Studies 1: How Children Learn
  • Exploring Learning and Teaching in Language and Literacy
  • Exploring Learning and Teaching in Mathematics
  • Exploring Learning and Teaching in Science
  • Introducing Foundation Subjects
  • Computing with Academic Study Support
  • School Placement 1
PRIMARY_ART_CLASS

Year 2

Modules

  • Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
  • Enhancing Learning and Teaching in Language and Literacy
  • Enhancing Learning and Teaching in Mathematics
  • Enhancing Learning and Teaching in Science
  • Foundation Subjects: Embedding Knowledge, Enhancing Practice
  • School Placement 2 (Primary)

Options*

  • Themes and Processes in Art and Design
  • Children's Literature
  • Learning and Teaching Languages: Contexts and Opportunities
  • The Historian at Work
  • Web Literacy
  • Developing My Mathematical Thinking
  • Science in Society
  • Developing Expertise in Curriculum Gymnastics and Dance
  • Contexts for Learning: A Sense of Place
  • Language and How We Use It
  • Key Strategies in Learning and Teaching Languages: Enjoyment, Engagement and Enrichment
  • Geography: Enquiry into Practice
  • Physical Computing
  • Developing Children's Mathematical Thinking
  • Thinking and Working Scientifically
  • The Active School

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

school-based training

Final year

Modules

  • Consolidating Teaching, Learning and Assessing English (5–11)
  • Education Studies 3: Leading Children’s Learning
  • Final School Placement (Primary)
  • Individual Professional Project
  • Deepening Subject and Pedagogic Knowledge to Impact on Children’s Mathematics Understanding (5–11)

Options*

  • Processes and Practice: Developing a Rationale for Art, Craft and Design in the Primary Classroom
  • Language, Thought and Learning
  • Ensuring Progress and Defining Progression in Primary Languages
  • Creative Curriculum Design in History and Geography
  • Creative Computing
  • The Nature and Learning of Mathematics: Developing a Personal View 
  • Science Beyond the Classroom
  • OAA, and Swimming and Water Safety

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

Children and teacher in a playground

 School-based training

School-based training in a partnership placement school forms an important element of each year of study, developing your knowledge and understanding of being a teacher in a school setting. 

Ofsted identify our approach to training in schools as a key strength of this course, with an excellent balance between university tuition and school-based training.

Organising your school-based training
Our Partnership Office will organise your school-based training for you. Each year we organise over 2,500 placements for our students with over 600 partner schools and colleges, offering varied placement opportunities. We work hard to ensure that your school-based training will provide you with learning opportunities and valuable experience with the age group you are qualifying to teach.

How it works
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.

Once you have been matched to a placement, the team in the Partnership Office will confirm the placement as quickly as possible with the school, then contact you with the details. Almost all of our placements will be with partner schools in south-east England, most of them in East and West Sussex.

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 Study here 

Why choose teaching at the University of Brighton?

  • We are rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for initial teacher training
  • Our graduates benefit from excellent employment rates that are consistently above the sector average
  • We have 600 partner schools and colleges, offering varied placement opportunities to our students
  • We work closely with local authorities, schools, colleges and educational organisations ensuring that our students are kept up to date with the changing world of education
  • Our tutors are experts in their area of research and have published numerous academic publications
  • We offer several routes into teaching with the opportunity to engage in professional development after graduating
  • Enjoy outstanding facilities including dedicated studios, laboratories, the latest classroom technologies and more than 30,000 specialist resources for trainee teachers
  • We have a dedicated team to help you after you qualify, through our NQT support programme
  • We’re one of the UKs largest teacher training universities, educating teachers and leaders for over 100 years
secondary education

Specialist routes 

We also offer the following specialist routes

Primary Mathematics Education BA(Hons) with QTS

Primary English Education BA(Hons) with QTS

A distinctive feature of these courses is the focus on mathematics or English as a specialism.

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Skills test 

Support for the skills tests

You have to pass the professional skills tests before you begin your teacher training. The University of Brighton recognises that these tests may present a challenge to some candidates and hope these support materials will help you to be fully prepared before attempting them.

Department for Education Practise Materials – You will find a range of support materials on this official site, including online tests.

Passing the Numeracy Skills Test – Book by Mark Patmore, including one practice test . Published February 2018. ISBN-13: 978-1526419231

How to Pass the QTS Numeracy and Literacy Skills Tests: Essential Practice for the Qualified Teacher Status Skills Tests - Book by Chris John Tyreman. Published July 2016. ISBN-13: 978-0749478292

Course statistics

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Careers and employability

University of Brighton trainees are highly sought after by our partnership schools and have a superb reputation across the country. They are known for their creative and innovative approaches to teaching making them very successful in securing jobs.

After a NQT year many of our graduates take mentoring and leadership roles, or focus on specialist roles such as special education needs.

You might also be interested in teaching a particular subject at primary level – at Brighton you can specialise in mathematics or English. 

If you are considering whether a career in teaching is for you, and you are a UK resident, the Department for Education’s School Experience Programme offers 1 to 10 days’ classroom experience in a secondary school. Find out more.

Primary classroom

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,040 GBP

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

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2018–19.

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- 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.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. 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. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.
 
The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

i360 and ticket booth on the seafront  What to expect enriching experiences 

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Surrounded by the South Downs National Park and just five miles from the centre of Brighton, our Falmer campus has benefited from over £60million of investment over the past 10 years. 7,000 students are based here, studying subjects including English, education, social science, nursing and medicine.

Recent developments include the Falmer Sports Centre – with its fitness suites and sports hall – and the innovative Checkland Building, which has natural ventilation systems and an insulating green roof.

Falmer has also recently installed more than 600 solar panels, which reduce the campus’s carbon emissions by more than 80 tonnes. The renovation has made us one of the top universities in the UK for on-site renewable energy production.

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Accommodation

Brighton

Our Brighton halls of residence are located across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • Grand Parade is in central Brighton and has one hall of residence, Phoenix Brewery, within walking distance. 
  • Moulsecoomb is two miles from the city centre and also has one hall of residence, Moulsecoomb Place, on campus. 
  • Varley Park offers the biggest choice of student accommodation with ten halls of residence. 
  • Falmer campus has two halls of residence: Great Wilkins and Paddock Field. 
    Varley Park and Falmer are around four miles from Brighton centre; there are good public transport services nearby.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. We recommend Unihomes and House Share when you’re balancing learning with placements, shifts and other commitments, because they give you more choice and flexibility.

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

Find out more on our accommodation webpages and if you have any questions, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accommodation@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 644100.

Paddock Field

Moulsecoomb Place


  

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Falmer campus

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 Student Views   

 Laura Fair 

"This course has given me the underpinning knowledge of how children learn.

"During my time on this course I was placed on a range of school-based training which gave me experience in a classroom with a mixture of age phases and helped me to develop my differentiation skills.

"I particularly enjoyed my final placement which was based in a unit supporting children with autism at a special needs school. Here I gained a great insight into SEN and acquired skills that I have been able to use in my career.

"After graduating in 2011 I went straight into my first role at a local primary school, teaching years 1, 2 and 6. Since then I have gone on to study the Education masters at the University of Brighton and am currently deputy head in a Primary school."

LauraFair

Bethanie Ruston

"The last three years have been a roller coaster, but what a great roller coaster to have been on!

"I’ve been lucky to have had the best of lecturers who have been full of support, experience and knowledge and who have set assignments which have both challenged and stretched my thinking. Strong values and beliefs have always been at the core of who I am, however, the University of Brighton has given me the confidence to explore them, express them (and even question them at times) with a level of confidence and dignity that did not feel possible before.

"I have sat in on so many inspirational lectures that have left my hand sore from excessive note-taking and there have been guest speakers who have left me in awe of their wisdom. My eyes have also been left sparkly and my heart full from a myriad of wonderful children.

"I’m looking forward to the next exciting chapter of my life as a class teacher at a local school in Bedfordshire (where I grew up) with a class of year 4 children."

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