Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Primary and Early Years Education (3-11) with QTS

Course Overview

Our Primary and Early Years Education programme will give you the training and confidence to thrive as a passionate and effective teacher. With Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) built into the degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for teaching positions as soon as you graduate.

You’ll study how children engage with the curriculum and explore key areas of school practice through focused modules. This will help you build strong knowledge, understanding and pedagogy, enabling you to make a meaningful impact on young children’s lives.

Learning takes place across a variety of settings, including 24 weeks on school-based placements. You’ll also have the chance to work with local children in our on-campus facilities, including our dedicated Early Years outdoor classroom.

Our supportive tutors bring a wealth of classroom experience to your studies and maintain strong partnerships with local teaching schools. Optional international trips provide additional opportunities to broaden your planning and teaching skills.

On this course you will...

• Achieve Qualified Teacher Status upon completion.
• Spend at least 24 weeks working with children in school-based placements, both locally and farther afield.
• Train to teach children aged 3-11 years, a uniquely broad catchment that gives you a wealth of diverse experience.
• Be taught in small groups with lots of opportunities to collaborate with your peers and tutors.
• Boost your employability in the education sector by studying an enhancement theme.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Carlisle - Fusehill Street, Lancaster, London
• Institute: Institute of Education, Arts and Society
• UCAS Code: X124
• Delivery Style: In-person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 3 Years
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BA (Hons)

Minimum entry requirements

• 112-128 UCAS Tariff points
• GCSE English Language or Literature, Mathematics and Science at grade 4/C or above
• A total of 5 national curriculum GCSEs demonstrating a broad spread of knowledge

Tuition fees

• £9,535 - UK (per year)
• £14,900 - International (per year)

What our students & graduates say

• "I 100% recommend doing a teacher training course at the University of Cumbria if this is something that you are interested in. It is an amazing experience and allows you to become a brilliant teacher, as the tutors provide the best quality of teaching and support." - Libby Niccolls
• "Studying at the University of Cumbria shaped my life and my career and I enjoyed every moment of it!" - Imran Khan
• "The University of Cumbria offers a good blend of brilliant academics while also recognising that you need to have fun and be creative as a teacher. I highly recommend studying teaching at the University of Cumbria for all these reasons." - Kerry Burns

Course Structure

What you will learn

During this course, you'll explore how children between the ages of 3 and 11 learn. You'll explore the curriculum, specialisms and pedagogy, so you can make a positive contribution to young children's lives by delivering engaging lessons and life-changing support.

Modules

This course is structured to equip you to become an inspiring and dynamic teacher, delivering modules that lead you through curriculum teaching, key theoretical work and placement work.

Year one

• Investigating Learning and Teaching 1: Learning and Teaching and Research
• Introducing EYFS and the Curriculum Carousel
• Introducing Curriculum Carousel
• Pedagogy through Specialism: Teaching and Learning
• Beginning to Teach English
• Beginning to Teach Maths
• Beginning Placement
• The Cumbria Teacher of Reading: Beginning

Year two

• Pedagogy through Specialism: Gathering and Using Information to Enhance Learning and Teaching
• Developing EYFS and Curriculum Carousel
• Developing Curriculum Carousel
• Pedagogy through Specialism: Learning Environments
• Investigating Learning and Teaching 2: Inclusion
• Writing and Creativity
• Developing Maths
• Developing Placement
• The Cumbria Teacher of Reading: Developing

Year three

• Investigating Learning and Teaching 3: Responding to a Dynamic Education Landscape
• Investigating Learning and Teaching: Specialism Research
• Curriculum Elective
• Assessment
• Pedagogy through Specialism: Thematic and Cross-Curricular Approaches
• Effective Monitoring and Assessment of Diverse Learners in English
• Extending Maths
• Extending Placement
• The Cumbria Teacher of Reading: Extending (Q10)

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Yes, you'll learn the theory, but work-based placements in schools sit at the heart of our course. Placements equip you with first-hand experience to bolster your CV and prepare you for a fulfilling and successful career in teaching.

Throughout the year you will explore key themes; investigating learning and teaching, curriculum, specialism, pedagogy and placement. There will be opportunities for you to personalise the programme through an experiential placement, elective option and a choice of specialism. This is enhanced by a strong personal tutor system to support you throughout your time at the University of Cumbria.

How you will be assessed

Assessments take a number of forms, from written assignments and portfolios to placement reflections and class participation. Students complete short formative pieces of work, which prepares them for their summative pieces of work. The formative work may be peer-reviewed or shared in a round table discussion. In some instances, especially in their first year, formative work may be marked by tutors with specific feedback given to support individual development.

Assessments include essays, reports, lesson plans, medium-term plans, pieces of research about pupils individual needs, creating resources for use in the classroom, and reflections. Assessments are designed to become more open and possible to individualise in the final year and include a piece of small-scale research exploring an aspect of Education in which they are personally interested.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

• GCSEs: GCSE English Language or Literature, Maths and Science at C/4 or above
• A-levels: BBC-ABB
• T-levels: M. All subjects accepted, however we recommend T level Education and Childcare for entry to this course
• Access to HE: 30 Credits at Distinction & 15 at Merit
• CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: B
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: DMM – DDM
• Scottish Highers: BBBB – AAAB
• Other experience: Experience with young children is preferred but not essential.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

At interview we will assess your suitability to train for the profession you have applied for. All professional course interviews are scored. Any offers made will be based on your whole application and your interview score.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to teaching. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this programme, and reflect upon any practical experience you have gained.

If you are invited to attend interview you must clearly explain what has led you to apply for this programme and the attributes you would bring to it. You must demonstrate a good understanding of teaching; motivation and commitment to pursuing teaching as a career.

Following interview if you are offered a place it will be subject to satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (DBS), medical fitness to practice and proof of qualifications.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

What we're looking for

We want someone who:

• Engaged future teachers, passionate about nurturing the next generation.
• Applicants with some experience with young children.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

• £9,535 - UK
• £14,900 - International

2024 - 2025

• £9,250 - UK
• £13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

The activity you undertake on placement will demand certain resources. These resources will set you up to begin your career as a teacher, and ensure your classroom is well-stocked: Teachers toolkit to bring to each session which includes felt tips, scissors, glue stick, post its etc (£20-30) You will need suitable clothing for PE sessions. Begin to build up a collection of children’s picture books which will be an invaluable resource for you as both a student and a qualified teacher.

Field Trips

Students will need to fund their own transport to their placement. There is the possibility that a university arranged placement will require travelling time, and any expenses incurred are to be met by the student. Therefore, the student should budget for the outlay of travel costs. Students may be eligible to claim some assistance with the costs of travel and subsistence.