Primary Education (5-11) with QTS BA (Hons)
 Primary Education (5 - 11) with QTS.jpg)
UCAS Code: X120|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Our Primary Education degree with Qualified Teaching Status (QTS) helps you engage and inspire children. This three-year course gives you the knowledge and skills to become an outstanding primary teacher. You will gain valuable experience teaching in various partner schools. As a Hope Teacher, you will embrace a moral purpose and maintain an enthusiastic, innovative, and flexible approach.
You will shape your values and develop the professional skills needed to be a Hope Teacher. This includes having a clear moral purpose and understanding all learners. You will learn to create experiences that help every child succeed, no matter their background. You will also discover how to study effectively and understand child development in the primary classroom.
National Curriculum
You will enhance your knowledge of the primary National Curriculum. This covers core subjects like English, Maths, and Science, along with foundation subjects. Experts will lead your curriculum teaching, integrating the latest research into your lessons. This prepares you for subject assessments and helps you create an engaging curriculum for children.
Enhanced Specialist Area
In your second year, you can specialise in a chosen area. This will build your knowledge, teaching skills, and prepare you to lead this aspect of primary education. Note that each specialism depends on the demand for that area.
Professional Placement
Each year, you will complete a professional placement in various settings and age groups. You will also have chances for short, intensive training and practice (ITAP) opportunities.
Visit the Springpod website for a spotlight on Primary Teaching.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree combines lectures, where all students are taught together, with small-group seminars for interactive learning.
Alongside university-based study, you will complete placements in our partner schools. Placements are tailored to your training needs and often with the same school partner, giving you the chance to build strong working relationships. In school, you will be supported by a school-based mentor (SBM), usually a class teacher, and a university-based tutor (UBT).
You will also benefit from Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) opportunities. There are six ITAPs across the degree, each focusing on a pivotal teaching skill or area of knowledge. These are carefully sequenced to help you develop and strengthen your teaching practice throughout the course.
In addition to lectures, seminars, and placements, you will spend time on independent study each week and collaborate with peers on 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 to improve 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 sociological theories with a focus on primary education in England. Analyse how schooling is designed and consider education from the perspective of the child.
Introduction to 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, including literacy, mathematics, and science.
Introduction to Wider Curriculum in a Primary Context
Gain knowledge of wider curriculum subjects within the foundation subjects and the primary national curriculum. Focus on key concepts and skills to strengthen subject knowledge and build confidence in teaching.
Professional Placement Learning
Take part in a six-week block placement in one of our partner schools. This includes a one-week induction and a one-week Early Reading enhancement placement.
ITAPs (Integrated Teaching and Professional Studies)
In year one, ITAPs focus on Early Reading and Phonics, Early Mathematics, and Curriculum Design.
Year Two
The Global Teacher
Explore wider perspectives in education, including sustainability and climate change. Work in a small group to complete a project in a primary school.
Introducing Educational Research
Develop skills in research methods and analysis, including qualitative, quantitative, and participatory approaches. Learn about ethical issues in research and how data is used in school settings.
Subject Knowledge, Curriculum and Pedagogy
Learn how to plan for progression to meet the needs of all learners and support inclusive practice. Develop curriculum design and planning skills, and explore strategies for organisation, management, and effective teaching across all primary subject areas.
Enhanced Specialism Area
Choose an area of focus for deeper study. (Specialisms are offered according to demand each year.)
Professional Placement Learning
Take part in a block placement in one of our partner schools. Work alongside school-based mentors to apply your university learning in the classroom and develop professional teaching skills.
ITAPs (Integrated Teaching and Professional Studies)
In year two, ITAPs focus on planning for progress, scaffolding for 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 on the purposes of education. You will also explore critical perspectives on the role of the early years educator and focus on preparing for employment.
Developing Civic Responsibility and Leadership
Examine the theory, policy, and guidelines shaping education today. Reflect critically on 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 engage with key issues in professional development.
Subject Knowledge, Curriculum and Pedagogy
Gain advanced insight into how children develop knowledge. Study assessment, inclusion, diversity, and partnerships with parents. Learn how to develop creativity in the primary curriculum, and take a critical approach to innovation and new practice across the primary phase.
Enhanced Specialism Area
Continue with your chosen specialism, focusing on leadership, management, and educational enquiry.
Professional Placement Learning
Undertake a long block placement of around 14 weeks in one of our partner schools, applying your knowledge in a real classroom environment.
ITAPs (Integrated Teaching and Professional Studies)
In year three, ITAPs focus on targeted assessment to support children with SEND and on curriculum design.
Dissertation
Complete an independent research study in Primary Education (5–11). You will design, carry out, and present your project in the form of 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 | In addition, 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). 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. 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. |
Careers
You will complete assessed professional placements in each year of study. This enables you to gain a broad experience teaching across the Primary age range. Following successful completion of the programme, you will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status. Students become teachers in a variety of school settings, ranging from those within our local partnerships to international schools abroad.
For those interested in further study, successful graduates will be able to apply for postgraduate degrees at Liverpool Hope University or other higher education institutions.
All of our QTS graduates move onto Early Career Teacher (ECT), which will support your professional development through the first two years of teaching.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
A major part of this Primary Education QTS degree is placements in our partner schools. Each year you will have at least one block of teaching placement. Each placement enables you to gain a broad experience teaching across the Primary age range.
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
Short term placements are offered in year two of the course for students to experience teaching in Europe with links to our international partners in France, Germany, Holland or Norway.
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 also need approximately £200 for travelling to your placements in Year 2 and 3. You also need approximately £200 for the purchasing of core textbooks. There is also a cost for the optional short placement abroad when available, costs vary depending 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. Visit our accommodation pages for further details about our Halls of Residence.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
Visit our international tuition fees page to find out more.