BA(Hons) Primary Education (ITE)
This course is open for applications
Page last updated 12 May 2023
Introduction
Graduate from this rewarding honours degree with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Why study primary education?
Prepare to enter the classroom as a transformational professional, ready to make a real difference to the lives of the children you teach.
Why UWE Bristol?
BA(Hons) Primary Education will develop your skills in teaching five to eleven year olds, across key stages 1 and 2, to professional standards.
Deepen your knowledge and understanding through self-directed study, with an enquiry-based approach to your learning.
Read, discuss and question current policy and practice and make links between educational theory and practice. This course prepares you for a career as a teacher and leads to recommendation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Approach this course as if it were a job. You'll work nine to five for most of your course working in diverse schools and settings with children from a range of cultural backgrounds, and across the spectrum of needs. Become an expert communicator, creating a positive, safe environment and a first-class educational experience for the children you work with.
Where can it take me?
You'll graduate with excellent prospects for employment.
Completing the course demonstrates that you have all the personal and professional attributes you need to become a successful teacher.
Structure
Content
Year one
You will study:
- Learners, Learning and Teaching
- Maths 1
- English 1
- Exploring the Curriculum
- Professional Practice.
Year two
You will study:
- Inclusive Teaching and Learning
- Maths 2
- English 2
- Cross-curricular Learning
- Professional Practice
- Becoming a Researcher.
Final year
You will study:
- Transition to QTS
- Maths and English
- Curriculum Enhancement
- Professional Practice
- Teacher Reseacher.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.
Learning and Teaching
Learn through formal lectures, seminars and workshops, tutor and student-led study groups, and one-to-one tutorials.
You'll specialise in teaching across the primary phase at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and develop your professional skills against the current teacher professional standards.
Study in groups and independently, and use online resources. Develop your independent working, time management, communication, collaborative, IT and professional commitment skills.
Placements are an important part of this course. You'll spend several weeks of each year working in schools and educational settings to gain practical experience. We'll support you at every step, and help ensure you learn effectively.
Find out more about our academic staff, their teaching expertise and research interests.
To find out more, see our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Percentage of time spend in different learning activities, per year.
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study | % check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23% | 60% | 17% | 100% |
| 2 | 24% | 61% | 15% | 100% |
| 3 | 24% | 48% | 28% | 100% |
Study time
This is a full-time intensive programme and you will attend classes on most weekdays. Sometimes the sessions will start at 08:30 and last until 17:30.
You'll be required to attend teaching placements on a full-time basis.
Assessment
We use a range of assessments across the programme designed to enhance your learning and support your future employability. We do not use written exams as part of our formal assessments.
For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.
Percentage of time spend in different assessment methods, per year.
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment | % check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0% | 62% | 38% | 100% |
| 2 | 0% | 31% | 69% | 100% |
| 3 | 0% | 64% | 36% | 100% |
Features
Placements
Work experience hones your skills and industry knowledge, making you a sought after graduate.
You'll gain work-based experience throughout the course. By the end of your first year, you'll have worked in a range of settings, including a six-week block placement.
Your second year will involve a seven or eight-week placement, and in your final year you'll work in an educational setting one day a week and undertake a 15-week school placement.
We work closely with our partner schools to develop your confidence and competence Some students are offered jobs on graduation by their placement schools.
Read how Jo was inspired by her teaching placement.
Our award-winning careers and employability service will guide and support you to find the right placement.
Study facilities
You'll use modern, purpose-built facilities: high-quality teaching rooms, industry standard technology, and equipment that can be booked out and borrowed.
Our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Get a feel for the Education and Teaching facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
You will graduate ready to teach all the subjects of the National Curriculum at key stages 1 and 2 and meet all the standards required to become a member of the teaching profession.
This course prepares you for a career as a teacher. Successful completion leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status. Please note that the Department for Education has consulted on proposed changes to the award of QTS and when this is made, and we await further guidance on this.
This course gives you the opportunity to enhance your skills and improve your job prospects.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and help find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our Employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
See also:
For further information on your career in teaching, including salary scales and case studies of current trainee teachers, visit The Department of Education website.
Fees
Full time course
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 112
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- GCSE: Grade C/4 in English, Mathematics and Science, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Literacy and Numeracy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.
- English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*). *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
- A-level subjects: No specific subjects required.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: No specific subjects required.
- Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
- Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
- T Levels: No specific subjects required.
Entry requirements
The Primary ITE course includes a high level of placement-based learning and working with children. We would encourage all applicants to get relevant experience of working or volunteering with children to help prepare them for this crucial element of their course.
Selection process
Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to an interview day with course tutors, consisting of a group discussion and interview. For more details, please visit our selection page.
Additional requirements (as mandated by the DfE)
- Health checks - for Fitness to Teach
- A clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure including check of children's barred list
- Satisfactory references including one from latest employer and/or latest role involving working with children.
- Verification of identity and right to work in the UK
- Check for sanction, restriction or prohibition on teaching issued by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) (if in teaching role)
- Criminal records checks overseas. If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for three months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required even if you are a UK applicant or currently based in the UK.
The university will also check that candidates are not:
- subject to a prohibition order issued by the Secretary of State;
- disqualified from childcare;
- or have obtained a childcare disqualification waiver from Ofsted
All information will be treated in confidence.
Further Statutory Guidance
- Supervision of activity with children
- Working together to safeguard children
- Keeping children safe in education
If you would like information regarding issues that could disqualify you from teaching training, please contact us on +44 (0)117 32 83333.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644