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Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status BEd

Develop your teaching practice with our BEd (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status degree. Prepare to engage and empower the next generation.

Key information

UCAS code:

X320

Typical offer:

104-112 UCAS points from 3 A levels or equivalent

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Course information

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Overview

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.

David Hill, Course Leader, BEd Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BEd (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status degree entry requirements

Typical offers

  • A levels - BBC-BCC
  • UCAS points - 104-112 points from 3 A levels or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T-levels - Merit
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DMM
  • International Baccalaureate - 28-29

You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept

Selection process

  • All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
  • 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.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

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.

Female student at computer

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

Modules

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.

Not a fan of exams?

On this course, you won't have to sit any exams. Instead, you'll submit coursework, assignments and presentations to demonstrate your knowledge. Take a look at how you'll be assessed on this course.

What you'll study

Core modules

You'll explore key theories and research on the ways children and young people develop, including physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth.

By the end of the module, you'll have a better understanding of how to support children's wellbeing and development.

You’ll identify your own weaknesses in your subject knowledge and develop an action plan to develop these.

You’ll begin to look at pedagogical approaches and how these relate to the content knowledge being taught, in order to start to consider how to plan for effective learning.

You’ll have the chance to apply what you learn in this module through your placements in the School Experience module, where you’ll be supported by an expert professional in your classroom.

You’ll examine the history of current policy in this area in relation to changing ideas.

You’ll address issues of diversity, as well as looking at specific responses for children identified with specific needs.

You’ll also continue to develop skills relating to personal responsibility and management of learning needs and competencies.

You’ll look at safeguarding, behaviour management and inclusion, and develop the fundamental knowledge and skills that teachers require.

You’ll study a range of pedagogies, learning theories and teaching strategies (including behaviour management), which you’ll then apply for real on your placement practice.

You’ll put into action everything you’ve learned so far, including planning and delivering learning to individuals or groups of primary aged pupils.

While on placement, you’ll undertake a number of tasks, start to collect evidence against the Teachers' standards and reflect on your own progress.

Core modules

You’ll be paired up with another student to help you team teach and gain support from each other, as well as your mentor.

In the first phase placement, days will run alongside university sessions during the week, while the second phase will consist of a 6-week block in either a KS1 or KS2 class.

You’ll take increasing responsibility over both phases for taking on the role of the class teacher.

Your university sessions will help you deepen your pedagogical and content knowledge for primary teaching, including looking more closely at progression pathways of learners and cross curricular connections, giving effective feedback to children, and planning to meet the needs of all learners.

You’ll improve your theoretical understanding though lectures and academic readings and relate this to your own placement experiences.

You’ll apply this in using planning and assessment to create an inclusive learning environment.

You’ll cover a range of education theories, philosophies and concepts for learning outside the primary classroom setting, such as early years settings, special schools, forest schools, museums, zoos, parks, outdoor education centres, natural and built environments and also international and indigenous approaches to experiential learning in the outdoors.

You’ll reflect on your own experiences and how these can shape our approaches to pedagogy in education. You’ll learn how to carry out effective risk-benefit analysis and frame your approach to risk as enabling children, young people and adults.

You’ll put all this into practice on a placement in an outside educational setting of your choice. Where possible students you’ll be able to undertake the one-day Hampshire Outdoor Leader qualification.

You’ll develop an understanding of aspects of the research process, as well as methodologies and methods.

You’ll also have the opportunity to apply this in developing a small-scale action research project on your school-based placement.

Optional modules

By exploring how collaboration can work with parents, professionals and carers, you'll learn to consider the whole child and tailor support for their unique needs.

You’ll focus on the principles and practices vital for child-centred communication, ethical decision making and upholding children's legal rights.

On this module, you'll explore the vital role of play in the lives of babies and children up to the age of 12, examining theoretical perspectives and research on the subject.

You'll discover how a child’s age and their individual needs shape the kind of play they engage in. You'll learn how important it is that adults working with children support and join in with them in play, and how to design enriching play environments.

You'll finish the module understanding the cognitive, social and emotional benefits of play, ready to nurture children's growth through purposeful play experiences.

You’ll get to know the child reader, mapping their meaning making and responses to text and images in children's literature.

You’ll discover the affective power of language and illustration in and around children's stories, as well as its potential messages for children exploring texts in a range of creative and expressive ways.

You’ll review how devices, software and online platforms best support various learning goals and student needs, and examine the potentials and pitfalls of emerging tech innovations.

You’ll develop creative blended learning experiences using technology’s strengths while still prioritising real-world interactions, play and healthy development.

You'll explore innovative, real-world focused approaches to link topics together.

Learn to leverage cross-curricular insights to enrich young minds, while strengthening your own pedagogical toolkit.

Core modules

You’ll design and complete an extended academic or work-based study into primary education with clear and specific aims, based on your own enquiry into a specific topic, personal learning, research and original thought.

Your research can take many forms depending on its aims and focus.

You’ll look at this from a strategic as well as an operational view. You’ll gain a better understanding of the different roles of teachers within a primary school (such as head teachers, SENDCO, phase or curriculum leaders) and their relationship with rest of the school community they must direct, communicate or work with (such as HLTAs, ELSA, office staff, governors, outside agencies, parents).

You’ll consider how to lead learning beyond just your classroom and make best use of other members of staff.

You’ll finesse the capabilities you need for effective primary teaching - from insightful assessment to responsive planning.

You’ll have support from your mentor teachers to find your voice and hone a leadership presence.

Optional modules

By exploring how collaboration can work with parents, professionals and carers, you'll learn to consider the whole child and tailor support for their unique needs.

You’ll focus on the principles and practices vital for child-centred communication, ethical decision making and upholding children's legal rights.

On this module, you'll explore the vital role of play in the lives of babies and children up to the age of 12, examining theoretical perspectives and research on the subject.

You'll discover how a child’s age and their individual needs shape the kind of play they engage in. You'll learn how important it is that adults working with children support and join in with them in play, and how to design enriching play environments.

You'll finish the module understanding the cognitive, social and emotional benefits of play, ready to nurture children's growth through purposeful play experiences.

You’ll get to know the child reader, mapping their meaning making and responses to text and images in children's literature.

You’ll discover the affective power of language and illustration in and around children's stories, as well as its potential messages for children exploring texts in a range of creative and expressive ways.

You’ll review how devices, software and online platforms best support various learning goals and student needs, and examine the potentials and pitfalls of emerging tech innovations.

You’ll develop creative blended learning experiences using technology’s strengths while still prioritising real-world interactions, play and healthy development.

You'll explore innovative, real-world focused approaches to link topics together.

Learn to leverage cross-curricular insights to enrich young minds, while strengthening your own pedagogical toolkit.

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.

Teaching staff profiles

User profile default icon

Mr David Hill

Senior Lecturer

david.hill@port.ac.uk

Read more

Assessment

The way you’re assessed may depend on the units you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

  • Year 1 students: 100% by coursework
  • Year 2 students: 100% by coursework
  • Year 3 students: 100% by coursework

Your coursework may include:

  • academic work including essays, reports, journals and case studies
  • a research project
  • work-based projects
  • oral presentations
  • posters
  • 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.

See term dates

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • 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)

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, tuition fees for that year are:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £1,385 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £2,875  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 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – X320
  • our institution code – P80

Apply now through UCAS

 

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.

Applying from outside the UK

As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things. 

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in 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.