Intro

This course is for people wanting to qualify as a primary school teacher with a specialism for English.

The course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status, enabling you to teach in England and Wales. We’re one of the UK’s largest university providers of teacher training, educating teachers and leaders for over 100 years. We were rated Outstanding by Ofsted in our 2018 inspection.

Benefitting from our school partnerships, you’ll gain practical experience in a wide range of settings. The course focuses on English as a specialism, giving you a greater depth of English subject knowledge. This, alongside other subject modules, will provide you with all the relevant knowledge, skills and understanding required to become an outstanding teacher.

You will learn from our course team who have many years’ experience in schools. You’ll also benefit from having an individual support tutor who will help guide you through your academic and professional development. We will continue to support you after you qualify through our NQT support programme.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code XQ13

Full-time 3 years

Qualified Teacher Status is awarded by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)

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.

Apply now for 2020

This course is closed for 2019 applications. Applications for 2020 are now open.

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Course content

Course structure

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

You will spend around a quarter of each year on placement developing your practical and analytical skills with the support of relevant theory. 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.

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.

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.

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Areas of study 

You'll explore a range of English areas gaining a thorough understanding, enjoyment and appreciation of the subject, using various technologies. A third of taught sessions are on subject 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 of English, while you start to develop your leadership and management skills.

You will have additional modules to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the teaching of English across the key stages.

Education studies include insights into how children learn, education theories and practice, legislation and initiatives. Core and foundation curriculum studies enable you to teach maths, science and all other primary subjects confidently and creatively.

You will learn to provide developmental support to learners from Key Stage 1 to 2, encouraging a love of learning to help children reach their full potential.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Children's Literature

    This module will introduce you to a wide range of children’s literature, including poetry, graphic novels and picture books focusing on analysis of text using a range of literary theory. Emphasis is placed on the historical and cultural representation and construction of childhood through different media over different periods of time and the manner in which children’s literature has represented these constructions.

Primary school children showing us their reading books

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
  • Effective and Creative Teaching of Primary Science
  • School-based Learning 2

Specialist subject modules

  • Talk for Thinking and Literacy Learning in the Twenty-first Century
  • Exploring Challenging Texts through Drama and Writing
Primary school pupils flexing their arms in front of their teacher

Final year

Modules

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

Specialist subject module

  • Contemporary Developments, Theories and Practices in Primary English
Students in the sports hall exercising

School-based training

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

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. 

School teacher in front of her pupils, all with their hands up to answer a question

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 a variety of 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. Prior to becoming programme leader he has been 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.

Keith Beuttell-Triggs

Careers

 

 

Preparing for your teaching career  

This course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the professional qualification for teachers. QTS enables you to teach in schools in England and Wales. 

You’ll benefit from our partnership with over 600 schools, where you’ll gain practical school-based experience in a wide range of settings – large, small, rural and urban.

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

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.

Teacher helping her students to read in the classroom

School-based training 

Your three school-based training phases will give you supported experience and help you gain confidence in your teaching ability.

Our staff will ensure that you are well prepared for each phase of school-based training, and that you have all the support and guidance you need to make the most of these opportunities.

We have partnerships with over 600 schools and settings which offer you opportunities in large, small, urban and rural settings ensuring you will have a well-rounded experience. You will experience time in two contrasting schools during your course.

Your school-based training experiences will include:

  • writing lesson plans and evaluations for the classes you teach
  • engaging in both formative and summative assessment of pupils learning and performance.
  • completing your e-portfolio as evidence of meeting the Teachers’ Standards.

Each year we organise over 2,500 placements for our students with 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.

Facilities for learning 

Our facilities include a curriculum centre which contains more than 30,000 specialist resources for trainee teachers including books, DVDs, games and an online catalogue.

Our Falmer campus also houses specialist classrooms that replicate those used in schools so you’ll feel at home when you go on your school-based training and start your career.

  • Teaching facilities include:
  • science labs
  • art classrooms
  • kiln room
  • dark room
  • design and technology workshop
  • performance studio.

 

education library

Click to view a virtual tour of some of our facilities

Graduate destinations  

Our teaching graduates benefit from excellent employment rates that are consistently above the sector average.

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.

Many of our graduates take mentoring and leadership roles, or focus on specialist roles such as special education needs. It is expected that students on this specialist route will become future leaders in primary English.

Our careers service holds an annual teaching recruitment fair on campus which our partner schools attend looking to recruit newly qualified teachers for the next school year.

a male teacher doing maths with children

Further study 

After completing your NQT year we offer a range of opportunities should you wish to continue your studies.  

Our Education MA further integrates academic study with work-based learning and research.

We also offer specialist PGCerts:

There are also a range of non-teaching related postgraduate opportunities and research degrees.

CHECKLAND_22NOV17_002

Supporting your employability 

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • find part-time work that you can combine with your studies
  • find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme
  • develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network
  • get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips
  • meet potential employers at our careers fairs
  • find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you find out more about what makes you tick, and build your CV

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more...

Employability is ... a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that make graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy. Professor Mantz Yorke

NQT support 

We will continue to support you after you qualify through our NQT support programme.

We’ll offer resources, advice, events and drop-in sessions to help you overcome the key challenges that many new teachers face in their first few years of working as a qualified teacher. We’ll help you with the next stage of your journey and offer support that will enable you to develop and thrive in your early career.

Our website provides guidance and support for after you graduate, including the latest teaching job vacancies, personal statement feedback, short mock interviews, useful contacts for advice and a variety of helpful resources including videos.

Children and teacher in a playground

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 2019. They should be used as a general guide. 

A-levels
BBB. Must include English.

BTEC
DDM.

International Baccalaureate
30 points, including English.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Level 3 units in English required. 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 English, maths and science. In-house equivalence tests are available for suitable candidates if these requirements have not already been achieved.

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. 

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.

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. 

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

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.

Applicants should have an interest in how English is learnt by students.

Fees

Course fees

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

International (full-time) 14,460 GBP

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

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.

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 us for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly. You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page.

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

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. 7,000 students are based here taking subjects including criminology, English, education, nursing and medicine, paramedic science, psychology and sociology. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. Psychology students learn in our applied cognition and flexible creative method labs.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre and there is a BTN BikeShare hub on site. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

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Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

Looking for clearing accommodation? Accommodation is available, we can help you find your home from home.

All eligible students applying for 2020 are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Falmer campus is linked to the halls on Falmer campus and at Varley Park.
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on Falmer campus and offer a range of room types and catering options
    • Varley Park offers a mix of room and catering options. Varley Park is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there's a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.

Unihomes and unilets
Unihomes and unilets are student houses that we let to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option can work particularly well when you're balancing learning with placements and other commitments. We have unihomes and unilet properties across the city.

Starting in 2019 and looking for accommodation advice? Find out more about our accommodation options.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private rented accommodation. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Students dining at Westlain

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Falmer campus

Stay in touch

There aren't any events for this course right now. Register your interest and we'll let you know when booking for the next event is open.

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Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Statistics

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

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

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