£13,000 (INT) *
Overview
Teaching in a primary school is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. You will be working with a team of teachers and other adults, to support children to succeed both inside and beyond the classroom. The course is taught by expert tutors with extensive experience working in school settings, ensuring you are well supported to achieve the best results whilst achieving Qualified Teacher Status.
The BA Primary Education (QTS) trains you to teach children within the age range 5 to 11 years (Reception, KS1 and KS2).
Why study BA Primary Education (QTS) at Middlesex University?
Our long history of providing leading education courses ensures that you benefit from the guidance of expert tutors who bring a wealth of professional experience to their teaching. As a primary school teacher you will make a difference to children's development by engaging and motivating pupils, and enhancing their life choices and opportunities. Our degree will train you to confidently teach all the subjects in the National Curriculum.
Alongside theory you will put your learning into practice by taking part in school placements to prepare you for your career. We have excellent relationships with a wide variety of carefully selected Primary schools in London and neighbouring local authorities and many of our students secure their first job with a placement host.
This is a highly competitive course and we are seeking outstanding candidates with the right acumen, experience and skills to become excellent teachers. We will select people with the potential of developing the characteristics that we have identified as the Middlesex Trainee Teacher:
- You have an anchored integrity, respect for yourself and others, a strong ethical sense & balance; knowledge of how children learn. You are kind, fair and inclusive, empathic, thoughtful, reflective, critical of top down initiatives, realistic yet savvy, inspirational, enquiring, adaptable. You can take risks. You are an active communicator, a sideways thinker, creative, competent, confident. You have a range of growing pedagogies and knowledge.
Course highlights
- Combine studying at the University with classroom experience in our partner primary schools in London and neighbouring local authorities.
- Combine studying on campus with opportunities to learn in the field, using sites, galleries, museums and places of worship across London.
- Choose to follow a specialism in mathematics or science as an optional extra.
- In your second year take up the option of an extra placement in a school for children with special educational needs and disabilities
- In your third year you have the opportunity to study abroad in Australia, USA or Europe
- As a student of this course you will receive a free electronic textbook for every module.
- You can be confident of the quality of our course. Primary teacher training at Middlesex University has been rated good with outstanding features by Ofsted, the official body for inspecting schools and education.
Find out more
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Course content
What will you study on the BA Primary Education (QTS)?
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.
Modules
| Year | First semester | Second semester | Third semester |
|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 120 Credits- CertHE | Core Curriculum (20 credits) Discovering Humanities (20 credits) Creativity and the Creative Arts (20 credits) | English in the primary classroom (10 credits) Mathematics in the primary classroom (10 credits) Science and DT (10 credits) IT and computing (10 credits) PE (0 credits) | Professional Development One – 8 weeks (20 credits) |
Year 2 240 Credits- DipHE | English: Creative Literacies (15 credits) Mathematics through Stories (15 credits) Investigating Science (10 credits) Physical Education and Well-being (10 credits) Mathematics Specialism (optional) Science Specialism (optional) | Professional Development Two – 8 weeks (30 credits) Optional SEND placement – 3 weeks (0 credits) | Worldviews and Religious Education (10 credits) Cross Curricular learning and teaching (20 credits) Inclusive Practices: SEND (10 credits) |
Year 3 360 Credits- BA (Hons) Primary Education (QTS)* | Professional Development Three – 10 weeks (60 credits) | Core Curriculum Two (20 credits) Inclusive Practices (20 credits) Interdisciplinary learning and teaching (20 credits) Mathematics Specialism (optional) Science Specialism (optional) | |
*Students who complete optional specialism programmes will have it acknowledged in the title of their degree.
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Year 1
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The Core Curriculum One (20 credits) – Compulsory
This module will develop subject knowledge in the core subjects areas of English, Mathematics and Science. You will gain understanding of the role of the core subjects in the Early Years and Primary curriculum and will begin to consider the range of skills needed for teaching them.
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Creativity and the Creative Arts (20 credits) - Compulsory
This module will develop the subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge required to teach the foundations of Art & Design and music to young children. You will begin to develop competence and confidence in a range of creative media, tools and techniques that will enable you to plan imaginative, interpretive activities that engage young learners.
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Discovering the Humanities (20 credits) - Compulsory
In this module you will develop your knowledge of the nature of History, Geography and Citizenship and their place in the Primary Curriculum. You will consider their potential for promoting investigation and inclusion and develop understanding of how the subjects interconnect.
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English in the Primary Classroom (10 credits) - Compulsory
This module will develop knowledge, skills and understanding in the learning and teaching of reading, writing, speaking and listening, storytelling and systematic synthetic phonics. The module will particularly focus on the importance of story within the English curriculum.
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Science and Design Technology in the Primary Curriculum (10 credits) - Compulsory
This module will explore how science and DT progress from the Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1 and beyond. You will consider how the needs of a diverse classroom are addressed through topics such as ourselves, forces, sound, materials and mini-beasts. Under-pinning the module will be the development of understanding how literacy (including stories), numeracy and IT support science and DT.
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IT and Computing (10 credits) - Compulsory
You will develop the subject knowledge and pedagogical skills to plan, teach and assess the three aspects of the computing curriculum: computer science, information technology and digital literacy, from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2.
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Primary Professional Development One (School-based) (20 credits) - Compulsory
This module enables students to prepare for a school based training placement. It is planned to integrate with day link visits and builds on the experiences and set tasks during the initial visits. It also builds upon other areas of professional and subject linked studies. Students need to consider ways in which the module relates to and its material integrates with other parts of the BA Primary Education programme. This module aims to prepare you for your first school based training placement by supporting collaboration with peers, school-based mentors, class teachers, staff and parents/carers so that students can address the standards specified by the Professional Standards for Teachers while undertaking their school-based professional development.
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Physical Education (0 credits) - Compulsory
This module will consider the role of Physical Education in the Primary curriculum and will assist you in developing the knowledge to successfully teach it. You will be introduced to a variety of approaches which are suitable for different ages and abilities whilst understanding the importance of health and safety considerations.
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Mathematics in the Primary Classroom (10 credits) compulsory
This module will focus on the requirements of the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Mathematics and develop your knowledge and understanding of how to plan, teach and assess early mathematics in the Reception and Key Stage 1 classroom. It will particularly focus on mental calculation and the use of resources to support conceptual understanding.
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Year 2
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English: Creative Literacies (15 credits) - Compulsory
This module will explore the importance of creativity in learning and teaching in an inclusive classroom through developing children’s love of literature. The module will consider the importance of reading for pleasure and how children’s literature met through multiple mediums play an important role in the English curriculum.
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Mathematics through Stories (15 credits) - Compulsory
This module will explore key mathematical concepts through the medium of children’s literature. Subject knowledge will be developed in the four mathematical operations in relation to the appropriate age-related pedagogies. A particular focus will be on the understanding of Division as a mathematical concept in Reception and Primary year groups.
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Investigating Science (10 credits) - Compulsory
This module will develop understanding of the role of enquiry and practical work in Primary science and will consider how to plan for science beyond the classroom. The module will cover a range of topics commonly taught at Key Stages 1 and 2 for example electricity and plants. Underpinning this module will be your ability to reflect and critically evaluate your experiences of teaching science on school based training.
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Physical Education and Well-being (10 credits) - Compulsory
This module aims to further develop knowledge and understanding of the Primary PE curriculum and to develop skills in planning, teaching and assessing across the age and ability range. It will also develop students’ ability to analyse performance of self and others and to interact effectively within a team to achieve personal and group outcomes.
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Primary Professional Development Two (School-based) (30 credits) - Compulsory
The purpose of this module is to enable students to prepare for their second school based training placement and to provide them with a basis for planning and teaching for both remaining school placements. The module has been planned to integrate with Day Link Visits. This module also builds upon other areas of professional and subject linked studies and students need to consider ways in which the module relates to and its material integrates with other parts of the BA (Hons) Primary Education programme. Students’ own experiences from SBT1 will be drawn upon for discussions on pedagogy and on schools as professional work environments.
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Religion and Worldviews (10 credits) – Compulsory
This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the role of Religions and Worldviews in the Primary curriculum. It enables you to develop knowledge and understanding of how children learn and construct meaning through Religion and Worldviews, to engage in promoting the rights of children in relation to equality and identity and demonstrate respect for themselves and others.
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Cross Curricular learning and teaching (20 credits) – Compulsory
This module will introduce you to the key arguments in support of and against a cross curricular approach to learning and teaching, whilst experiencing different curriculum subjects feeding in to one module. Students will reflect on their teaching experience at Reception, and Key Stages One and Two in order to identify and develop opportunities for cross curricular learning.
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Inclusive Practices: SEND (10 credits)
This module will develop subject knowledge and understanding of the main broad areas of need for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). You will develop skills in a range of learning and teaching strategies that support inclusivity in the classroom with a specific focus on children with SEND and consider how current policies and practices support learning and progress.
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Year 3
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Primary Professional Development Three (School-based) (60 credits) – Compulsory
The purpose of this module is for students to enter their final school based training placement with the ability to draw upon their experiences in planning and teaching for both Keys Stages. This module also builds upon other areas of professional and subject linked studies (MFL and Phonics) and students need to consider ways in which the module relates to other parts of the BA (Hons) Primary Education programme. The module has been planned to integrate research and data gathering in preparation of the final Spring term modules. Students’ own experiences from SBT1 and SBT2 will be drawn upon throughout this final school-based module.
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The Core Curriculum Two (20 credits) – Compulsory
For this module you will follow units in mathematics and English that explore children’s developing understanding of the core subjects through the teacher’s ability to create a dialogic classroom. Current research and policy via shared scholarship and debate will deepen knowledge on the Curriculum challenges that affect the teaching of English and mathematics.
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Interdisciplinary learning and teaching (20 credits) – Compulsory
This module will develop your critical understanding of how planning purposeful connections between and beyond curriculum areas, especially in Humanities and Arts, facilitates deeper understanding and progression in learning within and across all subjects. You will develop skills in how to plan learning experiences beyond the classroom which can support deeper, more meaningful learning and promote inclusive practices and learner engagement.
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Inclusive Practices Two (20 credits) - Compulsory
This module develops your understanding of the principles behind inclusive practices in schools and educational settings, and how these ideas relate to contemporary schooling, education, democracy and participatory practices. The module develops your understanding of children’s rights and their voice in the broader context of ‘abilities’, achievement, underperformance and underachievement. The module also questions to what extent inclusive practices are possible in schools today and requires reflection on theory to inform practice.
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You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Careers
How can the BA Primary (QTS) support your career?
Our course qualifies you as a primary school teacher which is a profession with excellent progression and benefits. Our graduates have an excellent reputation within the profession, and our employment rates are extremely high. Many graduates gain their first class teacher role in the school where they carry out their final School Experience, and many also continue to work with the university as members of staff in partnership schools. According to the Unistats website, 100% of our students are in employment or further study six months after graduation.
What support is available?
Our Employability Service can help you to develop your employability skills and get some valuable work experience. We provide workshops, events and one to one support with job hunting, CVs, covering letters, interviews, networking and so on. We also support you in securing part-time work, placements, internships, and volunteering opportunities, and offer an enterprise support service for those looking to start their own business.
Campus life
Staff profiles
Helen Farmery
Programme Leader
Helen is a Senior Teaching Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has many years of experience teaching in Primary schools in North London. Along with a team of Primary Education tutors, she works closely with her student teachers and the schools they are placed in to develop innovative and creative classroom teachers.
‘Highlights of our University sessions are when our students bring their Wow! moments back from their lessons with children to reflect on and develop with their tutors and peers on campus’.
Student profiles
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Katherine Kelly
Primary Education BA graduate
Katherine is now a KS2 class teacher
I chose to study Primary Education at Middlesex University as I had worked alongside trainee teachers from Middlesex and I had been exceptionally impressed with the calibre of trainee teacher. I was really impressed with the structure of the course and the amount of contact time.
I was attracted to the amount of time spent on placement as other courses were more theory based. I was also impressed with the number of graduates who had been employed by the end of their course - the percentage was high.
I really enjoyed the relationships we had with our lecturers and I personally credit the interest that the lecturers took in ensuring that we graduated as successful teachers as a contributing factor to the success of the cohort.
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Alex Pepe
Primary Education BA graduate
Alex now works as a teacher at Coleridge Primary School, Crouch End
There were a number of reasons why I chose [to study at] Middlesex, but probably top of the list were the great reputation it has – a lot of my primary teachers had trained there - and the location as it was close to home so meant I could keep my job.
I really enjoyed interacting with my tutors who were all incredibly helpful and approachable. They really took the time to get to know us as individuals. I also really enjoyed meeting new people who were on the course and working on tasks with them. A lot of our activity was very practical and directly applicable to a primary school setting.
It [studying at Middlesex] really prepared me well as many of the things I learnt could be applied straight away. Additionally, the support available outside of standard tutorial hours, such as help with my CV, interview preparation and general guidance from tutors, played a major part in helping me get to where I am professionally.
Contact us
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