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Primary Education with QTS - BA (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

Do you have a passion for inspiring and educating young learners, and want the best possible career opportunities after graduating? This exciting degree provides you with a variety of opportunities to explore your interests and develop core skills and experience in Primary and Early Years teaching.

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time
  • Award BA (Hons)
  • Start date September 2025

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

Do you have a passion for inspiring and educating young learners, and want the best possible career opportunities after graduating? This exciting degree provides you with a variety of opportunities to explore your interests and develop core skills and experience in Primary and Early Years teaching.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

Our course offers you the chance to gain the professional qualification of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as well as a degree, helping you walk into your dream job as a primary school teacher immediately after graduating from university.

This course allows you to specialise in age phases 3-7 or 5-11, qualifying you to deliver primary education in schools and early years settings and gives you the opportunity to work in a Special Educational Needs school.

Your placements in local schools in the wider Birmingham area give you practical experience right from the start of this training course. We believe working in schools with experienced teachers and children is key to developing you into a committed, creative and confident teacher with existing relationships to benefit from when seeking employment after graduation.

Our course is underpinned by a commitment to your well-being and achievement in a supportive and nurturing environment. Your learning will be led by highly experienced tutors who facilitate a wide range of practical experience and taught sessions to engage you in reflective and critical evaluation of research, policy and practice. You will be well supported during the course in your journey to becoming an outstanding teacher.

Why Choose Us?

  • We have partnerships across the West Midlands, which means that you can benefit from training in a range of schools and early years settings, preparing you for work a wide variety of schools.
  • Practical hands-on experience in schools right from the first year of your programme.
  • Study in our specialist facilities such as the Primary Innovation Room, art room and Primary Science Lab.
  • We have international links in countries such as Spain, France and Germany to enable you to experience primary education in another country if you wish.
  • We meet the Department for Education's (DfE) Criteria for Initial Teacher Training and successful candidates on our Initial Teacher Training courses will be recommended to the DfE for Qualified Teacher Status.

Similar Courses

Open Days

Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Open Day: 22 March 2025

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

Applicants will also need to complete an interview for this course; see interview arrangements below.

If your level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS Tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on our Foundation Year instead. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS Tariff.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Successful candidates must meet Department for Education requirements for Initial Teacher Training prior to enrolling on this course. This includes obtaining a satisfactory occupational health check and an enhanced DBS check, as well as prohibition and children’s barred list checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.

You will receive details of what is required if you are offered a place on the course. If you have any queries please refer to DBS Frequently Asked Questions or contact admissions@bcu.ac.uk.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

(Back to price) * The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 for 2025/26 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BA (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 3 years
  • TBC

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

DBS check 

If you are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for this course, the cost for your first DBS check is included in your fees. 

Placement expenses (mandatory) 

Placements are a compulsory element of this course. You'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home. 

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Memberships (optional) 

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course, such as Unison, some are free to students, charges may apply to others, please see relevant websites for more information.  

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK/EU students

UCAS

UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS
 Register with UCAS
 Login to UCAS
 Complete your details
 Select your course
 Write a personal statement
 Get a reference
 Pay your application fee
 Send UCAS your application

Guidance for International students

There are three ways to apply:

1) Direct to the University

You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

2) Through a country representative

Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

3) Through UCAS

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Course choice

Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?

Career plans

If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.

Work experience

Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.

School or college experience

Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.

Non-accredited skills or achievement

eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Get more information on writing personal statements.

Course in Depth

Year One

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Year Two

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Year Three

In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Download course specification

Download now

The content of the programme is research led, innovative and responsive to change and we employ a variety of learning and teaching approaches that focus on modelling good practice which, as a trainee teacher, you shall be encouraged to use in the classroom. 

The programme comprises five strands that combine to enable you to develop your skills and knowledge to become committed, creative and confident primary school teachers.

The strands are as follows: Core (English, Mathematics and Science and/or the prime and specific areas of learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum), Professional Studies, Foundation (all other National curriculum subjects and/or the prime and specific areas of learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum), Subject Study and School Based Training.  These strands are repeated in each year of study to enable you to build up your knowledge, understanding and skills in each key area.

The School-based and University-based aspects of the training course are interlinked and interdependent.

Employability

Enhancing your employability skills

On the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS programme you will experience a wide variety of learning and teaching approaches that are designed to develop your confidence, knowledge and skills as you progress through the course.

We will support you in the transition to university through a careful induction process, confidence building activities, group work and a carefully planned programme with a range of formative and summative assessments.

Your programme will be interactive, practical, engaging, thought provoking and challenging and is designed to promote independence so that you become a confident, committed and creative teacher ready to join the teaching profession.

On the programme you will experience a variety of learning and teaching approaches that focus on modelling good practice and these will include: workshops, conferences, lectures, seminars, a range of guest speakers, visits to schools/settings and other sites as well as a range of practical teaching experiences.

The content of the programme is research led, innovative and responsive to the educational climate to enable you to develop your subject and pedagogical knowledge and apply it in the classroom.

The BA Primary Education with QTS programme is a three year undergraduate course that leads to the award of a degree and qualified teacher status.

The newly designed programme offers you an honours degree and a recommendation for the award of QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) on successful completion of all elements over three years full-time study.

Placements

We have developed a shared vision for educational excellence with the schools in our partnership. You will benefit from working with and learning from outstanding classroom teachers in schools and at University. Working in schools with teachers and children is key to you becoming a committed, creative and confident teacher.

The new concept for the school based elements of the programme provide greater opportunities to spend time in school. Over the three years, you will spend some days in your allocated school to allow you to get to know the school and pupils before starting your block placement. On your block placements you will start working with individuals and small groups building to more and more whole class teaching and responsibility over time. This will enable you to develop reflective practice, confidence, knowledge and skills drawing closely from the curriculum sessions in university.

 

More about our placement opportunities

International

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

Facilities & Staff

Benjamin Zephaniah Building Level 2 classroom

Our facilities

This course is primarily based at our City Centre Campus, in the Benjamin Zephaniah Building (formerly University House), however, for some practical activities, such as sport, cookery or science lab sessions, you may be based at our City South Campus in Edgbaston, or the Alexander Stadium and Doug Ellis Sports Centre in Perry Barr.

About Benjamin Zephaniah Building

This freshly renovated building provides a dedicated teaching and learning space for our Education and Communities students and staff.

Spaces in the building include:

  •        Primary and secondary science labs 
  •        Innovation and Lego teaching room 
  •        Flexible space for Design and Technology
  •        Art room

As well as general teaching rooms.

Our staff

Dr Kate Glanville

College Academic Lead - Apprenticeships

Kate is College Academic Lead for Apprenticeships and teaches Geography on Undergraduate and Postgraduate Early Years and Primary Education QTS courses. Kate completed her doctorate, focusing on Outdoor Learning for Children with SEND in 2023.

More about Kate

David Grist

Lecturer in education with specialism in primary music

A Birmingham primary teacher since 1991, including 7 years in primary headship, David brings his classroom and leadership experience to BCU. He specialises in Primary Music which he lectures in across PGCE and all BAQTS year groups. He also teaches on professional studies modules, and subject specialism modules. He has links with local musicians...

More about David

Gary Pykitt BA (Hons) QTS, PGCE, PGDip

Senior Lecturer in Primary Education/College Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Gary's association with BCU started in November 1997 when he was interviewed for the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course which commenced in September 1998, graduating with First Class Honours in 2002. Gary’s teaching career commenced at a large primary school in Burton upon Trent, undertaking a variety of responsibilities including...

More about Gary

Dr Imran Mogra

Senior Lecturer in Professional Studies and Religious Education

Imran is a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University. He teaches on the BA (QTS) and PGCE Primary & Early Years courses. He is also a professional development tutor, research supervisor and lead mentor for school based placements. Imran is the Subject Leader for Religious Education and the Departmental Research Co-ordinator for the Centre...

More about Imran

Liz Lawrence

Senior Lecturer in Primary Art and Design

Liz Lawrence is a senior lecturer in primary Art and Design education. She joined BCU in January 2017, having taught in primary schools across Birmingham prior to this. During her teaching career she was an Arts subject leader, English lead, curriculum development leader and deputy head teacher. She co-established an arts partnership network across...

More about Liz

Mark Stares

Senior Lecturer in Primary English

Mark taught in a number of inner city Birmingham schools for 22 years before joining BCU. His roles as Assistant Head and Deputy Head Teacher were varied but included leading on English; leading Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and 2; mentoring and supporting staff and teaching students; leading on assessment and undertaking the role of SENDCo.

More about Mark