UCAS code
X320Mode of Study
Full-timeDuration
3 years full-timeStart date
September 2023, September 2024Overview
Every child needs a hero. Education has the potential to inspire a child's future and change lives. Become a teacher with our BEd (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status degree and develop the skills to engage the next generation and empower them to succeed and thrive.
You'll be taught by experienced teaching professionals to develop an individual teaching practice that will positively benefit the lives of young people every day.
You'll extend your depth of knowledge in topics that match your career ambitions and benefit from extensive teaching placements in primary schools and other educational settings, such as in a special educational needs (SEN) school or the education department of a zoo.
When you graduate, you'll be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to the Teaching Regulation Authority – a mandatory requirement if you want to work in most state-funded schools in the UK.
Course highlights
- Get recommended for Qualified Teacher Status when you graduate with your degree
- Be taught by expert researchers and practitioners in education, guest speakers with practical expertise and knowledge in their field and be mentored by experienced teachers on placement
- Focus on areas such as technology in education, play and teaching children with learning difficulties
- Benefit from our extensive network of partner schools and educational settings when planning your placements, including specialist educational environments such as pupil referral units, hospital schools and museums
Children deserve to have the best teachers. We created this course to help develop them. Ones who can mentor, stimulate, provoke, engage and light the fires of curiosity in children. Ones who are lifelong learners themselves and want to share their enjoyment of learning.
Entry requirements
BEd (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112–128 points from 3 A-Levels or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 29
You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
Selection process
Applicants are subject to interview. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-128 points from 3 A-Levels or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 29–30
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
Selection process
- Applicants are subject to interview.
- All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Careers and opportunities
You can have a huge impact on the next generation of society, creating and developing interests in children that can set them on a successful course for their future. And once you complete this degree course, you'll have all the skills you need to begin your career as a primary teacher.
Potential salary
As a primary school teacher with qualified teacher status in a state-funded school in the UK 2021, you could expect a starting salary of anywhere between £25,714 and £32,157, depending on where you teach. You'll also benefit from a further two years of structured professional development that will build on the skills and knowledge you will gain on the BEd course.
Career progression
As you build your teaching experience, you could move into senior roles, such as head of department, deputy head, assistant head or head teacher. These roles all bring more responsibility and higher salaries.
You could earn upwards of £38,000 as a senior teacher (depending on where you teach in the UK). As a head teacher in the UK, you could earn between £47,735 and £117,197 – or more if you choose to work in London.
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Alternative careers
As well as equipping you to become a confident primary teacher, this course opens up a range of other opportunities. If you'd like to stay in a school setting, you can progress to roles such as education officer or a specialist education leader. But you could also choose to work in other educational settings, such as an outdoor education centre or educational department in hospitals, museums or zoos.
If you want to follow in the footsteps of your teachers on the course, or move into research in the area of education, you could also do further study and research at postgraduate level.
Placement opportunities
You'll develop your teaching skills with at least 120 days of placement in primary schools. You'll also have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of education, in an area of interest to you, with three weeks placement in an alternative educational setting. This could be anything from a special educational needs (SEN) school to the education department at a theme park.
We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career. While on placement you'll continue to receive mentoring from your teaching staff, as well as the experienced teacher you'll be working with.
CCT membership
You'll be eligible to become a member of the Chartered College of Teaching (CCT) when you graduate.
CCT membership allows you to use the post-nominal letters "MCCT" after your name, which highlights your professional status. You'll also get opportunities to shape the profession and educational policy through consultations, as well as access to networking events, online courses and the latest teaching research.
You'll receive free student membership of the Chartered College of Teaching (CCT) while you study and receive access to additional training resources, career guides and networking opportunities
What you'll study
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
Modules
Core modules:
- Child and Youth Development - 20 credits
- Core Primary Education - 40 credits
- Equality and Diversity in Education - 20 credits
- Foundations of Primary Education - 20 credits
- School Experience - 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Core modules:
- Alternative Educational Settings - 20 credits
- Applying Educational Research and Theory - 20 credits
- Classroom Practice in Primary Education - 40 credits
- Professional Studies in Primary Education - 20 credits
Optional modules:
- Gender, Race and Education - 20 credits
- Just Playing? - 20 credits
- Technology in Education - 20 credits
Core modules:
- Leading Learning - 20 credits
- Primary Teaching - 40 credits
- Teachers as Researchers - 40 credits
Optional modules:
- Behaviour Matters - 20 credits
- Children and Young People With Severe Learning Difficulties - 20 credits
- Education and Society - 20 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Teaching
Teaching on this course includes:
- lectures
- practical sessions and problem-based learning
- seminars
- tutorials
- independent study
- teaching placements
Teaching staff are qualified teachers with extensive experience with diverse experience and knowledge, including experience of leading curriculum subjects. They'll support and encourage you to embrace independent learning, so you can develop into an effective practitioner with a dedication to lifelong learning.
You can access all teaching resources anytime from your smartphone, laptop or desktop computer on Moodle, our virtual learning environment.
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- academic work including essays, reports, journals and case studies
- a research project
- work-based projects
- oral presentations
- posters
- written exams
- observation of teaching
- a digital portfolio evidencing how you meet the current teaching standards
You’ll receive ongoing feedback from your course lecturers, as well as from your placement schools, to help you develop throughout the course.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your degree, when you're not on placement.
In your first year, you'll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and practical sessions for about 16 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Your working hours on placements will depend on your role. You'll probably work the same hours as the teachers you're working with – typically this means being in school from 8.00am until around 4.00pm, plus any extra time required to carry out your duties as a teacher.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (2023 start)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)
Tuition fees (2024 start)
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £18,100 a year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You’ll need to cover additional costs, such as travel costs, if you take an optional placement or placement abroad.
These costs will vary depending on the location and duration of the placement, and can range from £50–£1000.
During your placement year or study abroad year, you’ll be eligible for a discounted rate on your tuition fees. Currently, this discount amounts to 90% of the year’s fees.
Tuition fees for that year are:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
The costs associated with your specific destination will be discussed during your second year, as well as possible sources of additional funding.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2023, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – X320
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – X320
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
How to apply from outside the UK
See the 'How to apply' section above for details of how to apply. You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.