Program Overview

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BA (Hons) / BSc (Hons) Education (Primary)

Overview

Choose a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the University of Stirling, and we’ll equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to start a career in one of the most rewarding professions.

We’ll prepare you to teach across the whole curriculum and primary age range, and also enable you to develop a specialism in a particular area. You can choose from these subject specialisms:

• Early Years
• Environment
• Inclusive Practice
• Literacy
• Modern Languages
• Numeracy

You’ll be taught by world-leading academics and outstanding teachers who have strong partnerships with local schools. This ensures you can access cutting-edge practice and research throughout your primary teaching degree. Our pioneering approach of studying education with a subject specialism, gives you the time to excel in teaching, critically reflect and grow in confidence.

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, our Educational research ranked third highest in Scotland for quality of research outputs with 100% of our research impact and environment in Education classed as world leading or internationally excellent.

Top reasons to study with us

• We're ranked top 5 in Scotland and Top 15 in the UK for Education (The Complete University Guide 2025)
• We give you time to develop as a teacher over four years – as opposed to the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) route of only one year
• You can specialise in a particular aspect of primary education, in addition to the general primary school education employers expect

Professional accreditation

We’re accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), meaning that on graduation you can apply for provisional registration as a primary teacher.

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

• For all specialisms except Early Years
  • SQA Highers: ABBB
  • GCE A-levels: BBB
  • IB Diploma: 30 points
  • BTEC (Level 3): DDM
• Early Years specialism
  • SQA Highers: AAAB
  • GCE A-levels: BBB
  • IB Diploma: 32 points
  • BTEC (Level 3): DDM

The following English and Mathematics entry requirements apply for all specialisms:

• Higher English (C) or GCSE English Language and English Literature (C/4) or Communications 4 and Literature 1
• Mathematics or Application of Mathematics National 5 (C), Intermediate 2 (C), Standard Grade (2), GCSE (C/4) or equivalent.

There are additional requirements for some of our specialisms:

Specialism	Additional requirements
Inclusive Practice	No additional requirements.
Literacy	No additional requirements.
Numeracy	To include SQA Higher (B), A-level (B) or equivalent in Mathematics.
Early Years	No additional requirements.
Environment	To include an SQA Higher (B), A-level (B) or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematics or Physics.
Modern Languages	To include an SQA Higher (B), A-level (B) or equivalent in one of French or Spanish.

Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.

Widening access students

Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

Other Scottish qualifications

• Scottish HNC/HND: Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
• Access courses: University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
• SWAP access course: for mature students only.
• Foundation Apprenticeships: Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
• Essential subjects: As listed for Year 1 entry.

Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.

Other qualifications

• English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND: Merits and Distinctions
• English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses: Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
• Essential subjects: As listed for Year 1 entry.

Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.

International entry requirements

View the entry requirements for your country

Advanced entry

Advanced entry is not available for this course.

Additional information

Entry to our teaching degree course is provisional until the end of Year 1, and subject to an interview and a criminal record PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Course details

You’ll follow a course of eight semesters (four years). This will lead to an Honours degree in Professional Education (Primary). Alternatively, seven semesters (three and a half years) lead either to a General degree or to a Bachelors degree in Professional Education. General degree students may only be able to qualify in one teaching subject.

Year 1

You’ll develop your understanding of Education theory and practice alongside your subject specialism in Semesters 1-2. You’ll also undertake a self-organised placement in a nursery for primary students.

Year 2

In Semesters 3-4, you’ll continue to study Education alongside your subject specialism. Your knowledge and understanding of literacy and numeracy will develop, along with a range of teaching skills, before undertaking a six-week school placement.

Year 3

In Semesters 5-6, you’ll continue to develop your understanding of teaching literacy and numeracy. You will explore contemporary issues in primary education such as languages, science and learning for sustainability. To help you link theory and practice you will take a placement over 11 weeks (three days a week, Mon to Wed) and return to the University for two days to undertake an advanced education module with a focus on differences, identities and inclusion. You’ll also take a module that focuses on pedagogy, policy and practice in relation to your subject specialism.

Year 4

Semester 7 includes a 10-week school placement. In Semester 8, you’ll complete an Enquiry into Practice that’s closely related to your placement, and undertake an independent study of your choice, linked to your chosen specialism.

Modules

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Teaching

Our course is taught through seminars, lectures and workshops. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake school placements to gain practical teaching experience.

Fieldwork

Students who choose to study the Environment subject specialism will undertake fieldwork, participate in field trips and work on campus with Grounds for Learning and local school groups.

Assessment

Assessment is by continuous assessment. School experience placements are supported by school-based teachers and through tutor engagement. There are no examinations in Primary Education.

Work placement opportunities

School work placements are an integral part of this course, culminating in a 10 week school experience where you can further draw on your specialism area.

Study abroad

If you’re taking a Bachelor of Education with specialism in Modern Languages, we’ll encourage you to undertake a non-assessed optional work placement abroad for one year between Semesters 4 and 5 to improve your language skills.

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

• Scottish students: This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
• International students (including EU): Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips.

Funding

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

• Students from Scotland: Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
• International students: Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

After you graduate

The majority of our graduates enter the Scottish Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS), which guarantees you employment for one year as a newly qualified teacher in a Scottish Local Authority school.

Alternatively, you may choose to continue your education with a postgraduate degree or undertake doctoral research, leading to the award of a PhD.

Teacher Induction Scheme

Participation in the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS) is not compulsory, and some students may choose to follow the alternative Flexible Route – which is less structured and may better suit their personal circumstances.

Students from Scotland, the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland who are studying at a Scottish Higher Education Institution are eligible to join the TIS.

Students from other countries are ineligible for the TIS scheme but can follow the Flexible Route to complete probationary service if they plan to teach in Scotland following their studies.

Read the Scottish Government’s detailed guidance regarding students and the Teacher Induction Scheme.

Companies we work with

We work in close partnership with Local Authorities, schools, Education Scotland and GTCS to ensure we support you throughout your studies, so you can become an effective educator. A number of teachers are seconded to us from local schools to provide practical and up-to-date experience and knowledge.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

• 35% of students were satisfied overall with their course.
• 70% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 85% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

Flexible study

This course is not available as a combined degree.

Related courses

• BA (Hons) / BSc (Hons) Education (Secondary)
• BA (Hons) Professional Education (Secondary, Chemistry or Physics)
• BA Teaching Qualification for Further Education (TQFE) - in-service
• BA Teaching Qualification for Further Education (TQFE) - pre-service
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography and Outdoor Education
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Outdoor Education