School of Education

BA (Hons) Primary Education

BA (Hons) Full-time 3 years

Our Primary Education degree offers top-tier training for aspiring primary school teachers. With exceptional teaching (97% student satisfaction), superior academic support (94% student satisfaction), and national recognition (ranked 9th in the UK for Education), our program stands out.

Our Primary Education degree offers top-tier training for aspiring primary school teachers. With exceptional teaching (97% student satisfaction), superior academic support (94% student satisfaction), and national recognition (ranked 9th in the UK for Education), our program stands out.

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
September 2024, September 2025
UCAS Code
X120
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years)
Campus location
University: Walsall Campus
School
School of Education
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

  • 97% of students are happy with the teaching on their course (NSS, 2024).
  • 94% of students are happy with the academic support they receive (NSS, 2024).
  • Ranked 9th in the UK for Education (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
  • GOOD Ofsted rating for all of our Initial Teacher Education Courses.

Our three year undergraduate course in Primary Education provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in the primary school sector. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the Department for Education for Initial Teacher Training courses.

The BA (Hons) in Primary Education is specifically designed to ensure that those who are successful will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - the professional award required by all those who wish to teach in a maintained school.

You will focus on the teaching of the National Curriculum for primary schools and specialise in teaching Key Stages 1 and 2 whilst also having valuable opportunities to experience alternative educational settings such as Early Years, Secondary, SEND and transition.

 

What's unique about this course?

  • Exceptional teaching: 97% of students are happy with the teaching on their course (NSS, 2024).
  • Superior support: 94% of students are happy with the academic support they receive (NSS, 2024).
  • National recognition: ranked 9th in the UK for Education (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
  • GOOD Ofsted rating: for all of our Initial Teacher Education Courses.

What happens on the course?

Over the three year course, you will undertake University-based learning at Walsall Campus, and you will spend at least 120 days (24 weeks) divided over the course between different placements across the 5-11 age range within the primary age phase.

Your university tutor team is available to assist you throughout your training, supporting development of reflection. 

Every effort is made to ensure that high-quality school placements are provided to you, facilitating learning through observing, co-teaching and being observed by experienced teachers in the classroom.

We try to take your geographical location into account when placing you in schools, but our first concern is to ensure that you have a high quality school placement that can provide a range of experiences. Additional training will therefore take place in partner schools other than your 'attachment' schools. Support is available from your University Tutor throughout your training, plus from experienced teachers accredited by the University as school based tutors.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways including group presentations, written assignments, portfolio/learning journals/evidence bundles, RPD (QTS) and exams.

BA (Hons): Programme Structure

  • Modules in the first year (level 4) focus on the core subjects of English, Maths and Science along with ICT and the wider curriculum, and Professional Studies.
  • During your second year (level 5) you will study the same areas as in year one, but in greater depth. You will have the opportunity to develop your classroom skills further with a longer placement.
  • In your third year (level 6) skills in all areas are refined and developed and are then put into practice with two placements, with a final placement over a sustained period of teaching.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

The BA (Hons) Primary Education course leads to recommendation for QTS, and enables you to take up a qualified teaching post in a UK primary school. You will be prepared to teach pupils in the primary age phase with alternative education setting enhancement.

Following successful completion of this award you could continue studying with our Master's degree in the field of education.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

  • The University of Wolverhampton is one of the West Midlands’ largest providers of teacher education, with many of our graduates going on to work within the conurbation.  Our tutors are all experienced teachers who have worked with our partnership and family schools for many years.#
  • We are proud of our long-standing tradition of training teachers of Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Post Compulsory Education.
  • High quality learning facilities, including well equipped teaching rooms, cutting edge learning spaces, lecture theatres and a social learning environment.
  • Access to leading research in the field of Education that enables trainees to develop as reflective practitioners.

What do Ofsted say?

The University of Wolverhampton provision is particularly effective in developing highly professional teachers with the skills to reflect critically on the quality of their teaching in order to improve it. They are valued highly by the schools, colleges and other settings where they secure employment in the region.

The university has an excellent reputation that enables it to build strong partnerships across the region to support high-quality teacher training and educational improvement.  Employment rates in all phases are high, with many former trainees working in the region.

Ofsted (2021), Initial Teacher Education Inspection Report, London: Ofsted

Looking for 1-1 advice? OPEN EVENTS - FIND OUT MORE

Come to one of our Open Days, or, where you will have the opportunity to talk to staff and students who are currently studying and find out more about the course and our facilities. 

If you are successful you will be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status and you will be prepared to teach pupils in the primary age phase with alternative education setting enhancement.

This course will provide you with an excellent start to your teaching career as you experience teaching in different school placements, working with trained school-based tutors to aid your development.

You will be enabled to become a critically reflective teacher with high levels of understanding of educational theory and practice.

You will also develop the professional skills required to achieve outstanding results in relation to student progress including lesson planning, assessment methods, data analysis, and communication.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

Applicants must have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (previously Grade C) in GCSE English, Mathematics and Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Combined Science). If you are unsure whether you hold an acceptable GCSE equivalent qualification for ITT, please contact our Admissions Department admissions@wlv.ac.uk for clarification.

Please note we do NOT accept GCSE Short Courses or GCSE Equivalent Tests from other institutions or organisations, Key Skills Level 2 or Functional Skills Level 2.

PLUS

Typical entry requirement: 96 UCAS points

  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD (excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking)
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM
  • BTEC L3 Diploma - grades DD
  • NCFE CACHE L3 Diploma in Childcare and Education or NCFE CACHE L3 Technical Diploma in Childcare and Education - grade C
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Your personal statement is an important part of the application process. We will be reviewing your personal statement to find out more about you and we will also be reviewing your spelling, grammar and punctuation and you have followed the UCAS (for undergraduate applications) or DfE Apply (for post graduate applications) guidance regarding length and what to include. Your application will not be successful if you do not demonstrate the high standards of accuracy the teaching profession demands.

 

Important Requirements

As part of the Department for Education (DfE) ITT compliance, if you are successful you will be required to provide your ORIGINAL certificates to the University of Wolverhampton Admissions Unit.

We will not accept applicants onto our professional courses who have been unsuccessful on professional courses at other institutions of higher education.

 

You will also take part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess your readiness to train to teach.  Further information regarding the interview process can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/4---after-youve-applied/subject-specific-applications/.

Interview and Selection

First Stage: All applicants that are successful with their application will be invited to complete a set of short professional scenarios involving reading, writing and numerical tasks. These will provide us with an audit of your existing strengths as well as indicate any areas where you need to develop your knowledge and understanding during your course. If you are offered a place following interview, you will be required to demonstrate your professional readiness through successful completion of all of the tasks as one of your conditions of acceptance before the course starts. This may mean that you are asked to attend support sessions in English and mathematics during your course to enable you to demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency by the completion of your course.

Any work to address shortfalls in English and Mathematics must be undertaken by the trainee teacher in addition to other aspects of their training. It is the trainee’s responsibility to secure these fundamental skills before being recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.

Second Stage: You will undertake either an observed group task or a subject-specific activity (if you are applying for secondary teacher training).

Third Stage: You will engage in individual face to face interview

We will be assessing your ability to be able to meet the Teachers’ Standards by the completion of your course. Those successful in the audits and at interview will be subsequently required to meet enhanced DBS checks, fitness to teach and medical check and prohibition order check requirements. You will be expected to complete these forms once you have been successful and have a Conditional Offer.

Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check:

Due to the professional nature of some of our courses you may also be required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.  We will coordinate both of these non-academic conditions with you should your course require this and you receive an offer from us

There will be no cost for the DBS this is free to applicants who have secured an offer and have chosen to study at the University of Wolverhampton.

Those who do not meet the entry requirements may be offered an alternative course.

 

Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: see How to pay.

Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

Order a prospectus

How We Compare

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Full-time Course