Program Overview

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Primary Education and Teaching Studies BA (Hons)

Course Overview

The primary education sector is responsible for educating young minds, nurturing talents, and contributing directly to the development and growth of future generations.

This BA (Hons) Primary Education and Teaching Studies course provides learners with theoretical and practical learning modules that underpin the core concepts of effective education and teaching, which are relevant to both the current practice in schools and the changing context of education.

Throughout the course, you will be provided with opportunities to undertake work experience in local schools to better understand how theory is put into practice.

Why You Should Study This Course

We offer a style of education that provides the structure which you need to balance your study, work, and life commitments. By providing a consistent in-person timetable, students can plan a study routine that can be implemented alongside other commitments.

We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with work experience opportunities to help prepare you for your future career. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone. We cover one module at a time, allowing you to understand each topic before moving onto the next.

Your experience with us is designed to provide you with relevant academic and graduate skills so that you are a strong candidate for your chosen career path. This course aims to provide the necessary knowledge and experience of primary education for you to then apply for the next step.

What You'll Study

This comprehensive degree programme will equip you to engage, motivate and inspire young learners in a wide range of schooling environments.

From child development theories to consideration of varied perspectives of primary education, you will learn responsive and innovative techniques to support effective curriculum delivery, drawing on advanced knowledge of child development and theoretical perspectives.

During the course, there are a number of practical elements to help cement your knowledge of primary education and teaching. You may have the opportunity to take part in visits to special schools within the local area, and opportunities for work experience alongside your academic commitments for a more rounded learning experience.

Year One

This year is designed to help you explore the core fundamentals of primary education. You will learn about educational practices throughout history and the impact previous perspectives had on child development. Further, you will have the opportunity to reflect critically on how radical changes have shaped how education is taught today while analysing methods of effective engagement with young children ages 0-8. Throughout the year, the programme aids personal, professional, vocational and academic development, providing you with a solid foundation for further exploration in years two and three.

Students who successfully complete the first year are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Primary Education and Teaching Studies.

Modules

• Child Development - 30 credits
• Education Past and Present - 30 credits
• Teaching and Learning in the Primary School - 30 credits
• Children’s Literature - 30 credits
• Placement Module - 0 credits

Year Two

During the year, students are encouraged to compare practices and discuss the differences of social, physical and emotional perspectives. In this year, you will learn to refine key analytical skills and develop pedagogical knowledge, while examining the ways in which various perspectives impact on child development and learning. You will also be equipped with comprehensive research skills, ready for progression into year three. Students who successfully complete year two are eligible for an HND in Primary Education and Teaching Studies.

Modules

• Theoretical Perspectives of Learning - 30 credits
• Introduction to the Sociological Perspective of Education - 30 credits
• Teaching the Core Curriculum - 30 credits
• Research Methods - 30 credits
• Placement Module - 0 credits

Year Three

As you are preparing for the next step in industry or further education, you will explore complex subjects such as the processes of designing a curriculum. You will demonstrate your knowledge by undertaking an independent research project, where you'll collate your knowledge of skills, behaviours and techniques in effective teaching to produce work on an educational topic of your choice. By the end of this year, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful leader, with the ability to identify the core processes and mechanisms that underpin innovation. Students who successfully complete the final year are awarded a BA (Hons) in Primary Education and Teaching Studies.

Modules

• Inclusion in Special Education Settings - 30 credits
• Creating the Curriculum - 30 credits
• Science and the Wider Curriculum - 30 credits
• Research Project - 30 credits

How You'll Learn

This course is available as a full-time three-year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. Additional support is available via email and our online learning platform, Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.

Teaching Contact Hours

You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, laboratory experiments, tutorial tasks and assessments, which take place at the end of each six-week block.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

International Experience Opportunities

Students studying at CU Scarborough campus currently can apply for a funded three-to-four-week education summer camp with 'Smithsonian Associates' in the US (subject to availability). This experience allows students to plan for and to teach groups of children, thereby providing students with valuable, professional skills from which to draw on when they apply for teacher training.

Entry Requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

• UK: 64 UCAS tariff points. GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
• International: IELTS: 6.0

Tuition Fees

• UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man: £7,950 per year
• EU: £7,950 per year with EU Support Bursary, £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary
• International: £18,300 per year

Facilities

Our campus building is designed with your needs in mind. It features an open central atrium with IT suites and study spaces. The onsite library offers a wide range of essential and recommended reading materials, including access to over 115,000 eBooks. Additionally, you'll find dedicated spaces for career guidance, study support services, a café, a prayer room, and social areas within the building. Just next door to the campus, you'll find Scarborough's leisure village—a vibrant complex including an Olympic Legacy swimming pool, a sports hall, a fitness suite, all-weather pitches, and the Scarborough Athletic football ground.

Careers and Opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to apply for a postgraduate certificate in education to become a teacher in early years, primary or secondary education. Some graduates decide to work as teaching assistants in mainstream or special schools.

You may decide that you want to work with the 'early help' service instead, working with children in the community. Perhaps if you have specific skills, such as sports or music, you may instead become a children's coach or peripatetic music teacher.

This degree provides a range of career opportunities for our graduates with most going on to pursue a vocational career in the primary education sector - one of the most rewarding professions available.

The skills taught are transferable, which allows our graduates to pursue an alternative career path if they wish. These include, but are not limited to, Family Support Worker, Education Officer, Learning Mentor, Widening Participation, SENCO, Attendance Officer and Teaching Assistant roles.