BA Hons Primary Education with QTS

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Manchester Metropolitan University

Program Overview

This degree is designed for those who want to become inspiring and confident primary school teachers. It combines academic study with hands-on school experience, preparing you to teach children aged 5–11 and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) upon graduation.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Your first year introduces you to the foundations of teaching and learning, focusing on how children grow, learn, and develop. You’ll study modules such as Child Development and Learning, The Curriculum and Pedagogy, and Professional Practice 1. You’ll also spend time on your first school placement, observing and supporting classroom learning while reflecting on your emerging teacher identity.

Year 2:
Building on your early experience, you’ll explore how to teach across the full primary curriculum. Modules like Subject Knowledge and Pedagogical Practice, Inclusion, Diversity and Classroom Management, and Professional Practice 2 help you develop strategies for effective teaching and behaviour management. Your second school placement deepens your confidence in planning, teaching, and assessing lessons in a real classroom environment.

Year 3:
Your final year focuses on professional mastery and independent teaching. You’ll complete Professional Practice 3 alongside advanced studies in Curriculum Leadership and Educational Research and Reflection. You’ll take on greater responsibility during your placement—leading lessons, managing pupil progress, and preparing for your transition into your first teaching role.

Focus areas:
Primary curriculum knowledge, child development, pedagogy, inclusion and diversity, classroom management, professional practice, educational research, reflective teaching.

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to design engaging and inclusive learning experiences, manage diverse classrooms effectively, apply theory to practice, assess and support pupil progress, and reflect critically on their teaching to continuously improve.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The degree is fully accredited with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to register and work as a primary school teacher in the UK. Training is structured around national teaching standards and supported by experienced mentors in partnership schools.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Manchester Metropolitan University is one of the UK’s leading teacher-training providers, with a long-standing reputation for producing skilled, confident and employable graduates. Most students secure teaching roles or further study within months of completing the degree.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS at Manchester Metropolitan University is a professional teaching degree that fully prepares you to become a qualified primary school teacher. From the start of your studies, you’ll spend substantial time in classrooms, gaining real teaching experience alongside university-based training. The course combines theory, practice, and reflection to help you develop the skills, confidence, and creativity needed to teach effectively in today’s diverse classrooms.

Here’s how you’ll gain valuable, practical experience throughout your degree:

Extensive school placements every year, where you’ll work directly with pupils, plan lessons, and gradually take on full teaching responsibilities under professional supervision.
Strong partnerships with over 400 schools, ensuring you experience a wide range of educational settings, from urban schools to rural communities.
Access to the Brooks Building, which features model classrooms, specialist teaching spaces, and interactive technology designed to replicate modern learning environments.
University-based workshops and seminars that help you connect classroom experiences with educational theory, focusing on curriculum planning, assessment, and inclusive teaching.
A focus on subject specialism and professional development, where you’ll build deep knowledge across core subjects like English, maths, and science, along with creative and foundation subjects.
Opportunities to use digital and educational technologies that reflect real classroom tools, preparing you for teaching in tech-enhanced learning environments.
Regular mentoring and feedback from experienced teachers and university tutors to support your professional growth.
A final extended placement in your final year where you’ll demonstrate full teaching competence and meet all the standards required for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this course are fully qualified to teach in primary schools and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children aged 3–11. The program combines strong academic grounding with hands-on teaching experience, preparing you for a fulfilling and stable career in education. Typical job roles include:

Primary School Teacher
Early Years or Key Stage 1/2 Teacher
Literacy or Numeracy Coordinator
Subject Leader or Curriculum Coordinator

Here’s how Manchester Metropolitan University helps you build a strong professional future:

Career Support: You’ll receive dedicated guidance from the University’s Employability and Careers Service, including help with placements, job applications, and interview preparation. The course integrates around 120 days of school placements across Early Years and Key Stage 2, ensuring you graduate with real classroom experience and professional confidence.
Employment Outcomes and Salary Figures: Around 88% of graduates from this degree are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. Early-career salaries for new teachers typically start around £30,000, with scope for progression into leadership or specialist roles as experience builds.
University–Industry Partnerships: The University maintains strong relationships with local schools and education trusts, ensuring placements are current, supportive, and reflect real-world teaching practice. These partnerships help bridge theory and practice while enhancing your employability.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: Graduating with both a degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) gives your qualification national recognition and immediate entry into the teaching profession. This professional status also provides long-term career flexibility across the UK and internationally.
Graduate Outcomes: You’ll be ready to step directly into a teaching role, equipped with practical skills, leadership potential, and a deep understanding of child development and inclusive education.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your degree and gaining QTS, you can progress to postgraduate study such as a Master’s in Education, Leadership in Learning, or Early Years Education. You could also pursue an MRes or PhD in Education, leading to opportunities in research, teacher training, or educational consultancy.