Teaching in a primary school is one of the most rewarding careers you can have, and a BA in primary education will give you the experience and support you need to succeed in your studies and achieve Qualified Teacher Status.
You will learn through a mix of theory and practice to develop the ability and confidence to teach all the subjects in the National Curriculum to children from 5 to 11 years, reception, KS1 and KS2.
We are in the top 250 in the world for Education courses (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019), which means you will be guided by expert tutors with extensive experience working in school settings, so you will get the support you need to realise both your academic potential and career ambitions.
Our BA Primary Education is a highly competitive course which means all our students are dedicated individuals with a passion for developing the experience and skills needed to become an excellent teacher.
You will combine studying on campus and online, with practical classroom experience at one of our partnered primary schools in London and the surrounding areas. It will be your chance to shine as many of our students gain their first job with their placement host.
We will also give you plenty of opportunities to work in the field, with visits to galleries, museums and places of worship across London. You will have the option in year two to undertake an optional placement at school for children with special educational needs and disabilities. In year three l you will have the opportunity to study abroad in Australia, USA or Europe.
Our primary education courses have been highly rated by Ofsted (the official body for inspecting schools and education), so you know that you will be getting the best quality of training.
You will be matched with a Personal Tutor to get the support that you need. You will also get support from our Graduate Academic Assistants who have personal experience in your subject.
You will be among graduates with a strong reputation for their learning and education skills. Many students of our course go on to gain their first teaching role with their placement host, and according to the Unistats website, 100% of our students are in employment or taking on further study six months after graduation.
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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.
| 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
More information about this course
See the course specification for more information about typical course content outside of the coronavirus outbreak:
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
Start: October 2021
Duration: 3 years full-time, Flexible part-time
Code: X310
Start: September 2021
Duration: 3 years full-time, Flexible part-time
Code: X300
