BA Hons Primary Education with QTS

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Winchester

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS at the University of Winchester is a three‑year degree that combines academic study of education theory with hands‑on school placements, leading to Qualified Teacher Status. It suits individuals who aspire to become primary‑school teachers and want to learn to teach across the full primary curriculum (ages 3–11), while developing pedagogical skills, subject knowledge, and real‑world classroom experience.

Curriculum Structure

Year One
In the first year, students are introduced to the core principles of teaching and the full breadth of the primary curriculum. Modules such as Teachers and Education 1 lay the foundations of what it means to be a teacher — covering statutory frameworks, pedagogy, and the teacher’s responsibilities. Alongside this, Curriculum Concepts and Contexts: Core Curriculum 1 (English, Mathematics, Science) and Curriculum Concepts and Contexts: Wider Curriculum 1 (foundation subjects) provide a broad grounding in both core and foundation subjects. The module Children, Inclusion, and Diversity 1 develops understanding of child development and inclusive classroom practice for ages 3–11. Early professional experience begins through Professional Placement 1, giving students their first real‑classroom exposure.

Year Two
In the second year, students build upon their foundation with deeper pedagogical understanding and increased classroom responsibility. Teachers and Education 2 strengthens skills in lesson planning, adaptive teaching, and assessing learning, while Curriculum Concepts and Contexts: Core Curriculum 2 and Wider Curriculum 2 deepen subject‑specific pedagogical knowledge for both core and foundation subjects. The Children, Inclusion, and Diversity 2 module focuses on teaching learners with additional educational needs (SEN) or English as an additional language (EAL), equipping students to adapt teaching for diverse learners. Another school‑based placement (Professional Placement 2) gives further hands‑on teaching experience. Students also begin to specialise or deepen their knowledge via Enriching and Deepening Knowledge and Practice 2, choosing a focus on a curriculum subject, Early Years, or Additional Educational Needs depending on interest.

Year Three
In the final year, students consolidate their skills and prepare for full classroom responsibilities as qualified teachers. Teachers and Education 3 encourages reflective practice, understanding of policy and societal context for education, and prepares students for career entry. Modules such as Curriculum Concepts and Contexts – Foundation Curriculum 3: Creating Core Principles and Wider Curriculum 3 deepen subject knowledge, curriculum design capabilities, and assessment strategies in foundation subjects. Children, Inclusion, and Diversity 3 ensures readiness to support children facing learning barriers or other challenges. The final Professional Placement 3 places students in schools where they plan, teach, and assess pupil progress — often taking full responsibility for classes. Meanwhile Enriching and Deepening Knowledge and Practice 3 allows further depth in a specialism (subject, Early Years or SEN), preparing students for a professional teaching career from graduation.

Focus Areas

Primary‑school pedagogy; national curriculum across core and foundation subjects; inclusive education and diversity (SEN, EAL, Early Years); teacher identity and professional development; classroom practice through placements; curriculum design and assessment strategies; reflective and research-informed teaching.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to teach children aged 3–11 across the full primary curriculum, adapt teaching to meet diverse needs (including additional educational needs and inclusive classrooms), design and deliver effective lessons, assess student progress confidently, and enter the teaching profession equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical classroom experience.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This programme is accredited to deliver initial teacher training and to award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) upon successful completion — enabling graduates to enter the teaching profession in primary schools.

Reputation (Employability & Outcomes)

The University of Winchester’s Institute of Education is rated “Outstanding” by inspection authorities, and the Primary Education with QTS programme benefits from strong partnerships with more than 400 schools, ensuring diverse real‑school experience through multiple placements. Graduates from this programme have high employment prospects, often progressing into school teaching posts immediately after graduation, while others use their transferable skills in related education or community roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the early stages, students actively learn what teaching involves — applying theory in real schools, reflecting on practice, and growing as future educators. The course delivers extensive practical exposure, supported by strong links between the university and many schools. Important elements include:

Students undertake three professional placements over the course of the degree, working in real classrooms across different schools and key stages, under the supervision of experienced teachers.
The programme uses “Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP)” weeks — during which students engage in focused, immersive training and teaching practice on campus before applying in school settings.
Lectures, seminars, and interactive sessions cover all national-curriculum subjects, foundation subjects, inclusive education, Additional Educational Needs (AEN), Early Years, and more — enabling students to become versatile teachers capable of handling diverse classroom needs.
The course embeds specialist study options — in later years, students may choose to focus in-depth on a particular national-curriculum subject, Early Years, or additional/inclusive education — giving flexibility and areas of strength.
Assessments are largely coursework and practical — there are no written-exam heavy requirements, reflecting the profession-oriented nature of the training.

This combination of campus-based training, specialist academic study, and repeated real-world school placements gives students a strong, confident transition from theory to practice.

Course structure & what students study

Over the three-year duration, students gradually build knowledge, teaching skills, and professional identity. Some core developments across the years include:

Year 1: Introduction to what it means to be a teacher — exploring pedagogical theory, statutory frameworks, responsibilities, and beginning classroom practice. Students also study core curriculum subjects (English, mathematics, science) and foundation subjects, as well as inclusion, child development, and diversity.
Years 2 & 3: Deeper learning in subject-specific pedagogies for core and foundation subjects, stronger focus on adaptive teaching practices, classroom management, planning and assessment, and developing a teaching identity.
Final year: Full-scale professional placement where students take increasing responsibility — planning, teaching, assessing pupil progress — under guidance, simulating a real teacher’s workload and responsibilities.

The teaching and learning approach is a mix of lectures, seminars, interactive sessions, practical placements, reflective practice, and independent research/learning.

Support, resources & teaching environment

University of Winchester supports its Primary Education students with extensive resources and a strong support environment:

The programme is run by experienced tutors and a dedicated Professional Development Tutor who monitors and supports each student’s growth from start to finish.
The university has partnerships with over 400 schools (diverse in type and community context), giving students access to a wide variety of school settings — from large urban schools to small village schools — enhancing versatility and experience across contexts.
Opportunities exist for work placements abroad — past students have taken placements in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas — offering global exposure to different educational settings and cultural contexts.
Assessment and assignments are designed to mirror real-life teaching tasks (lesson planning, classroom management, inclusive education, adapting to children’s needs), rather than exclusively academic exams — which helps build relevant, practical teaching skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS at the University of Winchester are well-prepared to become qualified primary school teachers (with Qualified Teacher Status), or to work in related education or children‑support roles. Typical employment outcomes include Primary School Teacher, Early Years or Key‑Stage Teacher, Teaching Assistant or Support Staff, and roles in community education or children’s services. Their training gives them the knowledge, pedagogical skills, and practical classroom experience to begin teaching confidently upon graduation.

Key graduate outcomes and supports include:

The programme is accredited for delivering initial teacher training leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is required for posts in maintained primary and secondary schools in England.
The university works with over 400 partner schools to provide three professional teaching placements, including block placements and ongoing school‑based practice — ensuring graduates have real classroom experience across varied school environments before they finish.
A high proportion of graduates go on to work or further study within 15 months of completing the course.
As qualified teachers in England, starting salaries typically begin at around £32,916 (for maintained schools) and can rise over time, depending on role, responsibilities, and location.
The course covers the full primary‑education age range (3–11 years), all national curriculum subjects, inclusion, additional educational needs, early years or subject specialism — producing versatile teachers prepared for varied classroom and school contexts.

What the programme offers: academic content & training

A balanced blend of theory and practical learning: Students study pedagogy, child development, inclusive education, the full national curriculum (core and foundation subjects), plus leadership and contemporary educational issues — providing a well-rounded foundation for modern classrooms.
Three school-based placements (professional practice) across the 3–11 / 5–11 age phases, along with intensive training weeks — giving repeated, real-world classroom exposure, teaching practice, lesson planning, and assessment experience under mentor guidance.
Expert tutors and a dedicated Professional Development Tutor support each student’s journey from trainee to qualified teacher, guiding professional identity, reflective practice, and pedagogical growth.
Assessment via coursework, practical teaching assessments, and school-based work rather than traditional large-scale written exams — which mirrors the real demands of teaching and helps develop practical teaching competence over exam-oriented learning.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BA (Hons) with QTS, a graduate could:

Begin working as a qualified Primary School Teacher in maintained or independent schools, making use of QTS status.
After gaining some experience, move into leadership roles such as lead teacher, subject coordinator, or even pursue headship/management training.
Choose to specialise further — for example in special education, early years, inclusive education, or educational leadership — via postgraduate study (Master’s or other advanced qualifications).
Work in allied education or community-oriented fields (e.g., educational support services, youth work, curriculum development, educational policy), leveraging the broad pedagogical, inclusion, and curriculum knowledge gained.