Early Education Primary (3-7) with QTS BA (Hons)
 Early Education Primary (3-7) with QTS.jpg)
UCAS Code: X102|Duration: 3|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Our Early Education (3-7) degree with Qualified Teaching Status (QTS) will help you engage and inspire children.
This three-year programme teaches the skills to be a great Primary Teacher. It focuses on Early Years and Key Stage 1. You’ll gain valuable teaching experience in various partner schools.
Starting in your second year, you’ll explore the role of communication and language. This will enhance your understanding, teaching skills, and prepare you for leadership roles.
At Hope, we aim to nurture creative, proactive, and reflective teachers. As a Hope teacher, you will embrace a strong moral purpose. You'll take an enthusiastic, innovative, and collaborative approach to learning and teaching, whether indoors or outdoors.
Visit the Springpod website for a spotlight on Primary Teaching.
Course structure
Teaching in this degree includes lectures for all students and smaller seminars.
You’ll also spend time in our partner schools for practical placements. These placements align with your training needs and often involve a school partner. This setup helps you collaborate with colleagues on planning and teaching.
In addition to the yearly block placement, you’ll have Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) opportunities. These allow you to dive deeper into key knowledge and skills.
There are six ITAPs in the undergraduate programme. They are sequenced to help you grow as a teacher throughout the course.
While in school, you’ll have a dedicated mentor for support.
Besides teaching hours, you’ll need to study independently each week. Group study is also essential to prepare for group assessments.
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your three years of study you will have a number of assessments, including essays, portfolios, poster presentations, a professional viva, case studies; and a dissertation.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Year One
Becoming a Professional Educator
Study the pioneers of Early Years education and explore the role of the teacher in creating effective learning environments. Learn about classroom interactions, behaviours for learning, and their impact on teaching and learning.
Sociology of Education
Examine key theories in the sociology of education with a focus on primary education in England. This module looks at how schooling is designed and analyses education from the child’s perspective.
Core Curriculum in a Primary Context
Develop understanding of core subjects in the national curriculum (Key Stages 1 and 2) and the Early Years Foundation Stage. Focus on literacy, mathematics, and scientific understanding of the world.
Wider Curriculum in a Primary Context
Gain knowledge of wider curriculum subject areas within the Early Years Foundation Stage and primary national curriculum. Learn key concepts and skills to strengthen subject knowledge and confidence in teaching across different subjects.
Professional Placement Learning
Spend a block of time on placement in one of our partner schools. Before your placement, you will take part in school familiarisation days to get to know your class and teacher.
ITAPs (Integrated Teaching and Professional Studies)
In year one, ITAPs focus on key areas of teaching, including Early Reading and Phonics, Early Mathematics, and Curriculum Design.
Year Two
The Global Teacher
Explore effective learning environments and early education across different cultures. Study theories of pupil progress, adaptive teaching, and effective assessment in the EYFS and Primary School, focusing on how to secure impact for all learners.
Introducing Educational Research
Learn research methods and analysis, including qualitative, quantitative, and participatory approaches. Study ethical issues in research and how data is used in school settings.
Subject Knowledge, Curriculum and Pedagogy
Develop skills in curriculum design and planning to meet the needs of individual learners. Explore subject- and phase-specific strategies for organisation, classroom management, and effective teaching in EYFS and primary education.
Enhanced Specialism in Early Years
Focus on the national priority of communication, language, and literacy within Early Education.
Professional Placement Learning
Take part in a block placement at one of our partner schools. Work with school-based mentors to apply university learning in the classroom, build professional skills, and gain valuable teaching experience.
ITAPs (Integrated Teaching and Professional Studies)
In year two, ITAPs focus on planning for progress, supporting multilingual learners, and adaptive teaching through effective questioning in science.
Year Three
In your final year, you will study philosophies of education and contemporary debates around the purposes of education. You will also explore critical perspectives on the role of the early years educator.
Developing Civic Responsibility and Leadership
Examine the theory, policy, and national guidelines that shape education today. Reflect on key teaching theories, strategies, and ethics, and explore how the purposes of teaching and learning are evolving in the 21st century. Learn how to use data to inform planning and understand issues affecting professional development.
Subject Knowledge, Curriculum and Pedagogy
Gain advanced knowledge of how children learn and develop. Study assessment, inclusion, diversity, and partnerships with parents. Explore creativity in the early years and primary curriculum, taking a critical approach to innovation and new practices.
Enhanced Specialism Area
Continue with your chosen specialism, focusing on Early Years leadership, management, and educational enquiry.
Professional Placement Learning
Complete an extended placement of around 14 weeks in one of our partner schools, applying your skills in a real classroom setting.
ITAPs (Integrated Teaching and Professional Studies)
In year three, ITAPs focus on targeted assessment to support children with SEND and curriculum design.
Dissertation
Undertake an independent research study in Early Education. You will design and carry out your project, then present your findings in a dissertation.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBB |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 120 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications. |
| BTEC | DDM |
| Access to HE | 120 Tariff Points |
| IB | 26 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 120 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| Subject Requirements | You will require a GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in English, Mathematics and Science (Grade 4 or above in the new grading system). Alternative equivalency tests or assessments for English, mathematics and science (where required) may be considered to meet the GCSE requirements. Please contact us for further information if you hold, or intend to apply for, an equivalency test or assessment. Offers will be subject to a successful interview, as well as a Health Check Statement and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. |
Careers
You will complete assessed placements each year, gaining experience teaching across the full Primary age range. On successful completion of the programme, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Graduates go on to teach in a wide variety of settings, from local partner schools to international schools abroad. Many also progress to further study, with opportunities to pursue postgraduate degrees at Liverpool Hope University or other institutions.
All QTS graduates begin their careers as Early Career Teachers (ECTs), receiving structured professional development and support during their first two years of teaching.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
Each year you will complete at least one block placement. Each placement enables you to gain a broad experience teaching across the Early Years' Foundation Stage and Key Stage One. You will also have the opportunity to complete enhanced placements.
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
Opportunities to study abroad outside of the taught environment with our international partners. This opportunity is self - funded.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are £9,535* for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,535*.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
*subject to Council approval.
Additional costs
On top of tuition fees you will need approximately £200 for travelling to your placements. You also need approximately £200 for purchasing of core textbooks. There is also a cost for the optional short placement abroad, costs vary dependent on location and will be fully discussed with you beforehand.
You will also need to consider the cost of your accommodation each year whilst you study at University.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.