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Primary Education Studies (Non QTS Accelerated Degree) BA(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

23 September 2024

Duration

2 years full-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BBC

BTEC - DDM-DMM

See full entry requirements

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. This course offers a fast-track route (in two years) to completing a Primary Education degree, giving you the knowledge and skills required to then apply for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), or for other roles and careers within education. 
  2. Your work placement in a primary education setting will provide relevant classroom experience and valuable insight into teaching.  
  3. You’ll also grow in confidence and develop the professional and pedagogical knowledge and skills needed to work with children and young people. 

This course is designed to help you develop your knowledge of primary and early years education, equipping you with the skills you’ll need to progress towards becoming a teacher in a primary or early years setting, or for other roles and careers within the field of education.

Completion of this course does not result in a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a requirement for becoming a primary school teacher. However, following successful completion of the course, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) can be achieved through completion of a postgraduate teacher training course (such as a Primary Education PGCE).

If you aspire to become a primary school teacher, this course offers an accelerated route to completing an Undergraduate degree. In just two years, you’ll gain the requirements needed to apply for a Postgraduate teacher training course. From there, you can delve into further study and potentially look forward to a career in early years, primary schools, or higher and further education.

Why study Primary Education Studies (Non-QTS Accelerated Degree) BA(Hons)

The BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies (Non-QTS Accelerated Degree) will support you in preparation for employment in the primary education sector, but the course content also reflects the skills and knowledge useful to those wishing to work in education-related roles in, for example:

  • School management
  • Social work
  • Health and social care
  • Counselling and mentoring

You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in a primary school and, as part of your placements, you’ll be able to observe experienced teachers and gain practical, hands-on experience in contributing to classroom practice.

Please note: This course follows an accelerated delivery pattern across all three terms of the academic year. This means you’ll complete the same number of modules and assignments as students on a three-year degree course.

Course detail

Core modules:

Theories and Strategies for Learning

This module encourages the development of the academic study and communication skills necessary for successful study at degree level. Assessment typically includes preparing and delivering a presentation considering issues or theories related to your course of study and a portfolio of evidence of your developing research and academic skills.

Perspectives in Learning and Development

You’ll be introduced to the theories and research that underpin development and learning for children, young people and adults and consider key concepts in this area. Assessment typically involves the production of a display and a timed assessment.

Introduction to Core Curriculum Studies - English, Maths and Science

This module will help prepare you to teach English, mathematics and science across the early years and Key Stage 1. The module will be taught jointly by subject specialist tutors and school-based trainers. Training sessions will take place both in schools and in the University. Assessment is typically via a series of practical assignment tasks examining English (including Phonics), maths and science in the EYFS or primary classroom, exploring and synthesising theory into practice.

Curriculum Matters in Primary Education

This module will introduce you to social, theoretical and political influences on the construction of a curriculum for the primary phase of education. You will explore the historical context from which the current national curriculum has evolved, and learn about the aims and content of the current curriculum. Assessment is typically via a group poster presentation and a written report.

Safeguarding Children and Young People

This module will help raise your awareness of current legislation, policies and procedures which exist to promote children and young people’s rights and to keep them safe from harm. It emphasises the knowledge, skills and qualities required to work with children, young people, their families and carers and other professionals in safeguarding contexts; and critically explores broader concepts of child abuse. Assessment typically involves the completion of an oral assessment and a timed test.

Culture and the Curriculum

On this module you will consider the relationship between curriculum and culture. You will develop your understanding of the wider curriculum and learn about the rationales for a range of approaches. You will be encouraged to reflect on your own observations of practice to inform and further your understanding. Assessment is typically via a presentation and a written assignment.

Entry requirements

BBB-BBCat A Level or equivalent.

120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

Merit at T Level

DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

In addition you must also:

  • have GCSE English language and either Maths or Science subject at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.
  • provide an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and health clearances.

Please note that offers are subject to interview.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5 (TOEFL 87), or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Placements


You will complete a minimum of 70 hours of work placement in your first year and 120 hours of work placement in your second year of study. This placement will be in a relevant primary education setting and will enable you to develop your skills in supporting learning and gaining a critical understanding of the working of a primary education establishment. The identification of an appropriate placement setting will be coordinated through the Placement Unit in the School of Education and Professional Development.

Having the opportunity to do a placement during my degree really opened my eyes to how the theory and research I'd studied related to practice. Spending time in school has helped me to see the real purpose behind assignments and has definitely contributed to my decision to pursue a PGCE

SEPD Student Leonie Hatfield, Primary Education Studies

Leonie Hatfield, Graduate, Primary Education Studies (Non-QTS Accelerated Degree)

Your career


If you aspire to work with children and young people in a primary school setting, this course will help you develop the professional knowledge and skills you need. To gain qualified teacher status (QTS) to become a primary school teacher, you will need to complete a PGCE qualification after completing this accelerated degree. This course also equips you to consider non-teaching roles in education and other areas of the children's workforce.

 
*Percentage of graduates from this subject who are in work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21, UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

95% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Education and Professional Development, which you would be a part of should you decide to study this course. The school provides you with support in a variety of areas, these include:

Student Support Office (iPoint): a one-stop-shop for students, studying within the School. Here you can get help and advice, including checking your timetable, finding a tutor, handing in assessments. We can also refer you to other departments within the University such as, student finance, student services etc.

Academic Skills Tutor: provides guidance about how you can develop your academic skills in order to improve your grades. We provide support with general academic skills including essay writing, time management, presentations and group work skills; information technology and numeracy; research skills, as well as personal development for example confidence building and assertiveness. 

Student Support Officer: provides confidential and impartial advice on welfare and course related issues.

Placements, Employability and Partnerships An enormous part of your learning takes place whilst on placement.  To help you get the best possible experience we operate an extensive professional network giving you the opportunity to access a wide range of high quality placement providers. Our professional network includes links with local authorities, schools, colleges, early years settings, voluntary organisations, youth services and youth offending teams to offer you real-life experience whilst you study. Our placements team offer you help to find your placement and support you through it.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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