Start
September 2026
Fees
UK: fees paid by employer
Location
Hendon campus
Course overview

Why choose the Primary Education (QTS) Degree Apprenticeship BA?

This Level 6 Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is a salaried route into primary teaching for those without a degree. It allows you to earn whilst you learn, gaining hands-on experience in a primary school while studying towards a teaching degree.

Teaching in a primary school is one of the most rewarding careers one can have. This course will give you the experience and support you need to succeed in your studies and achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

You will benefit from the guidance of expert university tutors and school-based mentors who bring a wealth of professional experience to their teaching.

You will combine studying on campus and online, with practical classroom experience at your employer, one of our partnered primary schools in London and the surrounding areas.

Our primary education courses have been highly rated by Ofsted (the official body for inspecting schools and education), so apprentices know that they will be getting the best quality of training.

There is scope for consideration of Recognising Prior Learning for suitably experienced applicants. This could reduce the programme length from 4 years to 3 years.

What you will gain

As an apprentice you will gain the knowledge and skills required to build a sustainable career in primary teaching and education. All our learners are dedicated individuals with a passion for developing the experience and skills needed to become excellent teachers.

You will graduate with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education and study modules which will develop your subject knowledge for teaching the Primary National Curriculum alongside the professional knowledge and skills required to be an outstanding teacher. You will develop sustainable and ethical ways of working with pupils, families and stakeholders.

You will gain knowledge and understanding of managing behaviour, pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, professional behaviours as required by the Teachers’ standards. This will include the professional and ethical responsibilities of the teacher including safeguarding, child protection and children’s emotional well-being. You will learn about the progression of children’s learning from Reception to Year 7 and execute strategies that ensure inclusion and equal opportunity for all children including those with special education needs and disabilities. The course will enhance your creative learning and teaching approaches and strategies to support effective learning outside the classroom and beyond the school environment.

Accreditation

Successful completion of this course leads to Qualified Teacher Status, allowing apprentices to work in any state school in England.

What you will learn

You will be working with a team of teachers and other adults to support children (aged 5 to 11) to succeed inside and outside the classroom.

The course is taught using a mixed learning and teaching approach. It combines practical workshops and seminars, by expert tutors with extensive experience working in primary schools, ensuring you are well supported to achieve the best results. During school-based time, you will stay in contact with your tutors, allowing continual mentoring and the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Through a mix of theory and practice, you'll develop the ability and confidence to teach all subjects in the National Curriculum to children in Reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

A vital part of this course focuses on what apprentices learn away from university, their real-world learning is extended by:

  • A degree curriculum that embeds learning outside the classroom and makes use of the cultural wealth and diversity of London
  • A placement in a different school setting to help apprentices understand different approaches to teaching and learning, school organisation and management so that they can critically evaluate and respond to the needs of children in multicultural, multilingual and multi-faith settings and schools.
About your course

About your course

As a Primary school teacher, you will be expected to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the subjects in the curriculum and how they inter-relate. You will study the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science throughout the degree as well as Art, RE, Humanities, Music, Design and Technology, and Computing. These subjects will be taught separately and through interdisciplinary approaches. The TDA programme will mirror the Middlesex BA Primary Education (QTS) with minor adjustments to accommodate the employment-based nature of the TDA and provide the expected uniqueness of learning experience provided by an apprenticeship. The programme will provide an average of 40% ‘off-the-job’ training. The university teaching will be front-loaded. For example, in Term 1 of Year 1, you will be at university 3 days a week, but this will decrease to 1 or 2 days on average later in the year.

In Year 1, you will develop foundational knowledge of the Primary National Curriculum and a growing understanding of teacher identity. Primary curriculum subject knowledge and skills will be introduced and explored including the use of creativity in primary education. 

During Year 1, you will spend approximately half your time at the university, so that you can develop the knowledge and skills required to be ready for managing classroom responsibilities.

This module will develop foundational knowledge of the Primary National Curriculum and your growing understanding of teacher identity and empowering pedagogies. Aspects of inclusion and cultural responsivity will be explored whilst developing your beginner teacher identity. The module will introduce Primary curriculum subject knowledge and skills including exploration of effective methods of teaching and learning. 

The module builds upon the introduction to curriculum subject knowledge and introduces subject pedagogy. This module will develop beginner teacher identity and collaborative working practices. You will begin to apply subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge to plan, teach and assess in the classroom. 

This module will develop an understanding of what is meant by ‘creativity in the Primary curriculum’. Primary curriculum subject knowledge and skills will be introduced including creative teaching and learning methods. You will consider the role of core and foundation subjects and explore their importance within a broad and balanced curriculum.

This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the primary curriculum, alongside observation of and engagement with effective teaching, learning and assessment approaches during a continuous period of school experience. It will enable apprentices to begin to demonstrate their progress in the understanding and skills necessary to operate as an effective primary teacher.

In Year 2, you will build upon the knowledge of primary education you have gained in your first year developing reflective perspectives on teacher identity and pedagogies. Your subject knowledge, skills and understanding of the Primary National Curriculum including the use of inclusive practices to support learning will be strengthened and extended throughout their modules. During this year, you will study for 3 modules and spend more time in your school setting.

This module will develop your reflective perspectives on teacher identity and empowering pedagogies. It will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of how children learn and construct meaning through story, to engage in promoting the rights of children in relation to equity and identity and demonstrate respect for themselves and others. The module will strengthen and extend your subject knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematics (key mathematical concepts), religion and world views and English (spoken language, listening, reading and writing). You will explore the importance of pleasure in relation to story, listening, speaking, reading and writing in an inclusive classroom through the medium of children’s literature. You will develop an understanding of a range of pedagogies to inform their teaching of religion and world views, English and mathematics in the Primary curriculum in order to develop a creative outlook and an adaptable approach to teaching.

This module will develop your reflective perspectives on teacher identity and provide opportunities to analyse aspects of inclusive practices in the classroom. It will develop your knowledge and understanding of pedagogic requirements for inclusive teaching of children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) and the role of physical, health and well-being and relationship education for all children. 

This module will strengthen and extend your subject knowledge, skills and understanding of science and foundation subjects. You will develop an understanding of a range of pedagogies to inform their teaching of Science and Foundation subjects. The module will enable you to explore creative, enquiring and adaptable teaching methods. You will develop an understanding of the importance of investigative teaching and learning approaches through cross curricular planning and pedagogy.

In Year 3, you will consolidate and build upon you prior knowledge and experience of primary education, and extend your understanding of planning and evaluating dialogic approaches to teaching and learning as well as demonstrating critical engagement with current research. You will investigate the use of interdisciplinary teaching and consolidate your understanding of inclusive practices within primary education. You will complete a final placement within a primary school.

This module will consolidate and build on prior knowledge of inclusive practices in relation to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, physical and mental health, to consider areas of disadvantage for children and communities. This module will develop critical thinking in relation to teacher identity. You will analyse and evaluate the principles of inclusion and apply specialist knowledge to engage with inclusion within and beyond the classroom. The module enables you to apply an in-depth understanding of specialist, ethical and professional values in relation to cultural responsivity and inclusive practices.

This module builds on prior knowledge and experience of Primary curriculum subject disciplines and cross curricular planning. This module extends your understanding of planning by starting with the concept and layering knowledge and skills related to subject disciplines. You will synthesise and apply an in-depth understanding of interdisciplinarity, evaluating relevant and specialist theories and ideas on pedagogical approaches. 

This module will build on prior knowledge and experience of core subjects. It will extend your understanding of planning and evaluating dialogic approaches to teaching and learning. You will critically analyse and evaluate understanding of teacher identity and empowering pedagogies. You will apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects of the primary core curriculum and how the subjects inter-relate. The module will enable critical engagement with current research on dialogic pedagogies and their use across the core curriculum. You will critically reflect on theory applied to practice and apply diagnostic and creative skills in a range of situations.

The module will enable you to develop your understanding and skills necessary to operate effectively as a primary age teacher. It will demonstrate your progress towards meeting current professional requirements under the Teachers’ Standards. This includes developing your knowledge and understanding of the full Primary curriculum alongside development of effective teaching, learning and assessment approaches. You will develop reflective perspectives on teacher identity and empowering pedagogies in practice. You will explore aspects of inclusive practices in the classroom, encouraging reflection on cultural responsivity 

In this final year, you will spend nearly all of your time in your employing school. You will study only one module at university in Term 1. You will complete the final module of Professional Practice in your school and prepare for the final assessment against the Teachers’ Standards.

This module will build on prior knowledge and experience of core subjects. It will extend your understanding of planning and evaluating dialogic approaches to teaching and learning. You will critically analyse and evaluate understanding of teacher identity and empowering pedagogies. You will apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects of the primary core curriculum and how the subjects inter-relate. The module will enable critical engagement with current research on dialogic pedagogies and their use across the core curriculum. You will critically reflect on theory applied to practice and apply diagnostic and creative skills in a range of situations.

The module will enable you to develop your understanding and skills necessary to operate effectively as a primary age teacher. You will be supported to demonstrate professional practice and ultimately the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the Occupational Standard that is aligned to the DfE requirements for Teachers’ standards and recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status. This includes developing your knowledge and understanding of the full Primary curriculum alongside development of effective teaching, learning and assessment approaches. You will develop reflective perspectives on teacher identity and empowering pedagogies in practice. You will explore aspects of inclusive practices in the classroom, encouraging reflection on cultural responsivity. The End Point Assessment of the Apprenticeship will be integrated with assessment of this module.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

At Middlesex, we're proud of how we recognise the potential of future students like you. We make fair and aspirational offers because we want you to aim high, and we’ll support you all the way. We’ll always be as flexible as possible and take into consideration any barriers you may have faced in your learning. And, if you don’t quite get the grades you hoped for, we’ll also look at more than your qualifications. Things like your work experience, other achievements and your personal statement.

Qualifications

UCAS Points
80-112 UCAS points including GCSE Grade 4/C in English, mathematics and science. We accept students with a wide range of qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Our most common entry qualifications can be found below:
A-level
BB-BBC
BTEC
MMP-DMM
Access requirements
Overall pass: must include 45 credits at level 3, of which all 45 must be at Merit or higher
Combinations
A combination of A Level, BTEC and other accepted qualifications that total 80-112 UCAS points

Our entry requirements page outlines how we make offers.

The following requirements are set out in the Initial Teacher Training Criteria document. You must have:

  • GCSE grade C / grade 4 in English language, science and mathematics or standard equivalent. We also accept the equivalency tests by Equivalency Testing, A Star Teachers or any other appropriately accredited provider. We cannot accept functional skills or key skills or IELTS
  • Been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure check and/or any other appropriate background check.

Please note, apprenticeship programmes are not available for international students.

Apprentices would need to be living in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to starting an apprenticeship and have right to work in the UK full time (minimum of 30 hours/weeks) for the full duration of your programme. 

Mature students (over 21)

We welcome applications from mature candidates, including those without formal qualifications, provided you can demonstrate relevant experience and ability.

Recommended requirements

It is recommended that you gain some experience of working in a school context before you start the programme. Recent experience in a primary school setting will support you in making the right degree choice and, if completed before the interview, will support you in your ability to contribute to the tasks during the selection process.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to keeping children and young people safe from harm. Our recruitment processes adhere to the principles of safer recruitment; we implement robust and safe recruitment practices which support the identification and rejection of any applicants who are unsuitable to work with children and young people. We will respond to any concerns about the suitability of applicants during the recruitment process.

Interviews

Your employing school will interview you for an apprenticeship position. They will use the interview to find out more about you, to better understand your aspirations and interests, and to explore why you want to study as an apprentice. Middlesex tutors may join the interview or invite you to a separate interview to assess your suitability for degree study.

At the interview stage, your suitability for teaching will be assessed through some given tasks that allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the role of the Primary school teacher and your proficiency in fundamental English and mathematics. If successful, your subject knowledge and fundamental English and mathematics will be developed and assessed during the programme to ensure you reach the required level.

Fees

Fees

There is no cost to do a higher or degree apprenticeship for the apprentice/learner. They will earn at least the minimum wage for apprentices but many companies pay more than this, particularly for higher and degree apprenticeships.

Fees are paid by the apprentice employer, drawn from the apprenticeship levy or via co-investment arrangements. Employers in England, can directly access their levy through the Digital Apprenticeships Service.

If an employer is a non-levy paying employer then they will share the cost of training and assessing their apprentices with government - this is called ‘co-investment’.

How to apply

How to apply

You will need the support of an employing school. This programme is only open to applicants who have secured an apprenticeship position with a primary school employer. Once you have found an employer, the employer can contact us for an onboarding pack by emailing to Apprenticeship@mdx.ac.uk.

You can also apply through Department for Education’s Teacher Training website for: Teaching Apprenticeship where employers partnering with a university publish their vacancies for applications. 

Download prospectus

Explore your prospectus

Take your first step towards the future you want with our guide

We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.