Primary Education BA (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Northumbria University

Program Overview

This three-year BA (Hons) Primary Education programme equips you to teach children across the full primary age range (3-11 years). It perfectly suits someone who is passionate about working with young learners, values creativity in teaching, and is keen to build both theoretical knowledge and hands-on classroom experience.

Curriculum structure:
Year 1: In your first year you’ll begin by exploring foundational teaching and learning theory (modules like Curriculum Studies 1, Professional Studies 1) alongside your first school-based placement (Educational Placements 1) where you start applying what you learn in real classroom settings. You’ll engage with modules such as Educational Research & Enquiry 1, giving you early experience of reflecting on practice and beginning to understand the diverse needs of children.
Year 2: In the second year you build on that foundation with more subject-specific teaching skills (for example Curriculum Studies 2 (3-7 years) or Curriculum Studies 2 (7-11 years)) and larger teaching placements (Educational Placements 2) where you plan and teach sequences of lessons. Modules like Educational Research & Enquiry 2 deepen your reflective and research capacity, so you’re well-prepared to design differentiated learning and meet individual children’s needs.
Year 3: In your final year you consolidate your expertise through advanced modules: for example Curriculum Studies 3, Educational Research & Enquiry 3 (which includes a small-scale research project) together with Educational Placements 3. By this stage you’re increasingly independent in your planning, teaching, assessment and reflection, ready to step into a full-time teaching role.

Focus areas: “Primary pedagogy (ages 3-11) • Curriculum planning for core & foundation subjects • School-based placements • Inclusive teaching • Reflective research in education”

Learning outcomes: “Be able to plan, teach and assess learning across the primary age range • Develop subject knowledge in core and foundation areas (English, maths, science, etc) • Build professional skills for classroom leadership and inclusive practice • Use research and reflection to improve teaching and children’s learning”

Professional alignment (accreditation): The course is part of the university’s Initial Teacher Education provision and upon successful completion you can be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Reputation (employability rankings): The university’s Education subject area is ranked 3rd in the UK for Graduate Prospects, with 89 % of graduates in highly-skilled employment or further study 15 months after graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Northumbria University (NU)’s BA (Hons) Primary Education programme offers a dynamic mix of hands-on learning and professional preparation that really sets you up to become a confident, effective teacher.

From the very start you’ll be immersed in practical teaching – not just listening to lectures, but working in school settings, designing lessons, using digital learning tools and reflecting on real classroom experience. At the Coach Lane campus you’ll also benefit from fully-equipped libraries and tech tools that support your teaching development. Here’s how your experiential learning journey unfolds:

What you’ll gain and where you’ll learn it:

You’ll engage in school-based placements across primary age ranges: the course combines university-based lectures, seminars and workshops with real classroom teaching in partner schools.
From early years (age 3–7) through Key Stage 1/2 (age 7–11) you’ll develop subject-specific planning, assessment and teaching methods — gaining experience in core curriculum areas (English, Maths, Science, Computing, PE, Art & Design, Music, History, Geography, Design & Technology, RE) and their delivery in real contexts.
You’ll use digital tools and e-learning platforms: the University uses the Blackboard system for module handbooks, lecture slides, reading lists and learning support.
You’ll join collaborative group work and reflective professional development: modules include group projects, peer-led learning and reflective portfolios to develop critical thinking and practice-based insight.
The campus library at Coach Lane offers 24/7 access (“The Hub”) and strong technology-enablement for independent study — which means you’re well supported for both theoretical and practical components of teaching.

Here’s a clear summary of key facilities and experiential features:

Full-fledged primary school placements from early on in your course (including non-assessed and assessed placements) so you can apply what you learn in the classroom environment.
Modules designed to link theory and practice, e.g., Educational Research & Enquiry, Enhanced Curriculum Studies — ensuring you don’t just learn how to teach, but why and how children learn.
Access to modern digital learning tools (Blackboard, e-based learning resources) and institutional library resources to support your lesson planning, research and teaching innovation.
Collaborative group projects and reflective practice built into the curriculum so you develop professional communication, teamwork and reflective skills essential for teaching.
Dedicated campus learning spaces, including study areas open 24/7, well-equipped library and technological infrastructure — giving you a supportive learning environment to prepare for your role as teacher.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme will be well-positioned to embark on careers such as: primary school teacher, early years coordinator, special educational needs (SEN) support lead, or educational consultant in school settings. Because the degree leads to recommendation for Qualified Teaching Status (QTS), you’ll have the official credentials to teach in UK primary schools and the foundation to build a lasting educational career.

Here’s how the programme supports that journey:

University employment services: Northumbria offers a dedicated Careers & Employment Service that helps you with CVs, interview preparation, job search strategies and mentors you through the transition into teaching and other roles. In addition, their “Primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE)” placement team ensures you have hands-on school-based experience.
School-based placements & partnerships: From early in the course you’ll complete multiple placements in actual schools (including early years settings) where you gradually take on more responsibility, culminating in a major placement in your final year with up to 70% teaching commitment. The university partners with approximately 200 + primary schools for ITE placements.
Employment stats & salary figures: The programme is strong in terms of graduate prospects — the Education subject area at Northumbria is ranked 3rd in the UK for graduate prospects, with 89% of graduates in highly-skilled employment or further study 15 months after graduation. For the role of a primary school teacher in England you can expect a starting salary of around £31,650, rising toward £43,607 as you gain experience.
Accreditation & professional credential: This BA programme is designed to lead to QTS (Qualified Teaching Status), meaning that you’re eligible to work as a full teacher in primary schools in England.
Long-term value & career mobility: Because you will be qualified to teach across the full primary age range (3-11 years) and you’ll build transferable skills (communication, planning, assessment, leadership) you’re in a position not only to start teaching but to progress into roles like lead practitioner, phase leader, or move into curriculum development, SEN coordination, or educational policy roles.
Graduation outcomes: The programme ensures you’ve handled real school practice, developed a reflective professional profile, and are ready to apply for Early Career Teacher posts. With the university’s strong ranking and dedicated support, your profile is competitive.

Further Academic Progression:

Once you complete the BA (Hons) Primary Education, you have good options to continue your studies or specialise further:

You can pursue a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) specialising in primary education (or early years) to deepen your pedagogy and possibly accelerate your career progression.
A Master’s degree (e.g., MEd) in educational leadership, special educational needs, or curriculum innovation can open doors to senior leadership, policy or research roles in education.
You could also explore specialist postgraduate certifications in areas such as SEN, digital learning in schools, or school leadership — which will broaden your employability and capability in evolving school environments.