BA Hons Primary Education

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

The University of Northampton

Program Overview

This 3-year full-time degree is designed for students who are passionate about teaching children aged 5 to 11 and want to graduate with both a BA (Hons) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It suits individuals who enjoy working with young learners, want hands-on classroom experience, and aim to become confident primary school teachers equipped with strong subject knowledge and teaching skills.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year focuses on building the core foundations of teaching and understanding how children learn within the primary setting. You are introduced to the primary curriculum and classroom practice through modules such as School Experience Primary 1a, alongside university-based learning that covers pedagogy, child development, and subject knowledge across Key Stage 1 and 2.

Year 2
In the second year, you deepen your understanding of classroom practice and how to deliver engaging learning experiences across different subjects. Modules such as Enriching the Teaching of Mathematics and Enriching the Teaching of the Wider Primary Curriculum help you develop confidence in teaching key subjects, while your school placements become more extensive and hands-on, allowing you to apply teaching strategies in real classrooms.

Year 3
Your final year focuses on strengthening your professional teaching identity and leadership skills within the classroom. You explore advanced teaching approaches through modules such as Enhancing the Expert Primary School Teacher, and complete extended school-based placements where you take on increased responsibility, preparing you to meet the standards for QTS and step into your first teaching role with confidence.

Focus Areas

Primary curriculum mastery (English, Maths, Science, Humanities), teaching and pedagogy, behaviour management, inclusive learning, child development, and school-based professional practice.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to plan, teach, and assess across Key Stage 1 and 2, manage diverse classroom needs, reflect on teaching practice, and meet all professional standards required to qualify as a primary school teacher.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree includes Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling graduates to teach children aged 5–11 in primary schools in England. The University of Northampton’s teacher training provision has been officially rated “Good” by Ofsted.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

• Strong graduate outcomes, with a high percentage of students securing teaching roles or further study within 15 months of graduation.
• Well-established reputation in primary teacher training with consistently positive student feedback and employer recognition.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What makes this degree stand out is the amount of real classroom experience and hands-on training you gain from the very start. You won’t just learn how to teach – you’ll actually be in schools, practicing, observing, and leading lessons with support from trained mentors. Students also benefit from the modern Waterside Campus, where specialist teaching resources, collaborative learning spaces, and digital tools help you develop the confidence and skills required to become an inspiring primary teacher.

Here’s how you’ll learn through real-world experience and professional practice:

Extensive School Placements: You will complete at least 120 days of school experience spread across the three years, teaching in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 classrooms under the guidance of experienced school mentors and university tutors.
Specialist School Experience Resource Centre: Access the School Experience Collection, a dedicated space with teaching packs, planning materials, children’s literature, and classroom resources designed specifically for trainee teachers.
Modern Teaching & Learning Facilities: You’ll study at the Waterside Campus in flexible spaces that support workshops, group teaching, lesson planning, and reflective practice – including a 24/7 Learning Hub.
Group Work & Collaborative Teaching Projects: Expect regular group tasks where you design learning activities, develop teaching strategies, and reflect on professional classroom scenarios with fellow trainee teachers.
Use of Digital Teaching Tools: Students are supported with digital learning equipment, training in educational software, and eligible students receive a laptop pre-loaded with key tools used in schools.
Mentored Classroom Teaching: Each school placement is supported by a trained school-based mentor and a university link tutor to help you plan lessons, receive feedback, and develop your teaching style.
Exposure to Diverse Schools: You will experience different types of school settings—urban, rural, and varying pupil demographics—so you graduate confident and adaptable in meeting the needs of different learners.
Professional Portfolio Development: Throughout the degree, you’ll build a professional teaching portfolio with classroom evidence, lesson plans, reflections, and assessments aligned to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) standards.
On-Campus Library & Academic Support: The Learning Hub provides academic support workshops, lesson-planning spaces, and access to educational journals, teaching research, and study support to help you grow as a reflective practitioner.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Primary Education at the University of Northampton step confidently into teaching roles, equipped with strong classroom experience and the professional skills schools look for. Many secure employment soon after graduating, benefiting from the university’s focus on real-world school placements and career-ready training. This degree opens the door to a fulfilling teaching career and long-term professional development across the education sector.

Typical roles you can pursue include:
• Primary School Teacher
• Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teacher or Support Specialist
• Teaching Assistant / Classroom Practitioner
• Education Support & Pastoral Roles in Schools

You’ll be supported every step towards employment through:
• UON’s Changemaker Hub, offering CV support, interview training, teaching-focused career workshops, and school-recruiter networking opportunities.
• Strong school partnerships that allow students to gain hands-on classroom experience, boosting employability and confidence when applying for teaching roles.
• A degree recognised across the UK education sector, giving you long-term value and a solid foundation for Qualified Teacher Status-focused training routes.
• High graduate success, with many students progressing into teaching or education-related fields shortly after completing their degree.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this course, students can advance into teacher-training specialisms such as a PGCE (Primary or SEN), pursue Master’s degrees in Education, Educational Leadership, Inclusion/SEN, or progress into research-based postgraduate study that leads towards education consultancy or academic roles in the field.