Primary Education with QTS (School-Based) BA (Hons)
Gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status as you develop the skills, knowledge and professional experience required to inspire children aged 5-11 on a degree that enables you to combine working or volunteering in a primary school with academic study.
Overview
| Course length: | 4 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2025 September 2026 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University or Wigan and Leigh College or Holy Cross College and University Centre (Bury) or Burnley College |
| Example offers: | CCC (A Level) or MMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria |
| Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
| Faculty: | Education |
| Department: | Primary and Childhood Education |
Successful completion of the programme leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Become the inspiring, creative teacher that young children will always remember. On our part-time Primary Education degree, you will develop as a professional with all the qualities needed for a rewarding and challenging role nurturing young minds aged 5-11. This part-time initial teacher training programme is suitable for those who have experience of working in a school, such as higher level teaching assistants (HLTAs) or learning mentors. It is delivered through weekly campus-based sessions which you can attend at either Edge Hill University, Wigan & Leigh College, Burnley College or Holy Cross College and University Centre (Bury).
You will gain practical experience and develop your own individual teaching personality and personal principles, along with the essential professional skills, knowledge and understanding required for a career in primary teaching. You will study in a dynamic teaching and learning environment where expert university and school-based colleagues work side by side to ensure that you have the best possible initial teacher training experience. Successful completion of the programme leads to recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status.
Ofsted Outstanding Provider
Course features
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Ofsted outstanding provider for Initial Teacher Education
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Professional accreditation
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Professional practice placements
What you'll study
There are three core pillars which are central to all our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) provision:
1. Personal and professional attitudes, values and beliefs.
2. Subject and curriculum knowledge.
3. The craft of teaching and pedagogy.
In accordance with these, this programme seeks to develop:
1. Resilient and ethical teachers with a self-reflexive understanding of educational values and purposes that will sustain them throughout their professional career.
2. Subject experts with a firm understanding of the specifics of teaching and curriculum design in their specialist subject(s) and age phase
3. Expert professionals with the research literacy and intellectual confidence to engage critically and responsibly with the latest developments in educational research and policy.
How you'll study
When you join this part-time programme, you must be employed or volunteering for a minimum of one day per week in a primary school. Your head teacher must agree to support your progress with the degree for the duration of the course. This will include support to attend sessions and release to attend up to three full-time professional placements.
Your learning experience will include lectures, seminars, workshop sessions and tutorials. This campus-based study will be supported by independent study through the virtual learning environment.
You will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) as a specific and focused element of our teacher training curriculum. This is designed to consolidate your knowledge of effective teaching, and enable you to rehearse and obtain feedback from experts on your practice. Our ITAPs are designed to utilise the latest research and technology as well as draw on the outstanding mentors, tutors, and teacher expertise from across our partnership.
You will also undertake Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) as a specific and focused element of our teacher training curriculum. This is designed to consolidate your knowledge of effective teaching, and enable you to rehearse and obtain feedback from experts on your practice. Our ITAPs are designed to utilise the latest research and technology as well as draw on the outstanding mentors, tutors, and teacher expertise from across our partnership.
Over the course of your training, you will have the opportunity to participate in several days of Intensive Practice focusing on aspects of pivotal practice such as; behaviour management, scaffolding, professional behaviours and questioning.
During periods of ITAP, your timetable may differ and you may be required to attend campus and/or a placement on days outside of the usual pattern.
You will spend a significant amount of time undertaking professional practice placements, normally in key stages 1 and 2 in schools and other educational settings. During these experiences you will have opportunities to observe the work of expert practitioners. You will reflect on and discuss this practice with those practitioners and your trained school-based mentor. As you take on increasing responsibility for children’s learning and development, you will start by working with small groups under the direction of the class teacher, sometimes with a student teacher partner, and progress to planning for and working with the whole class for significant periods of time, managing the learning of every child.
University-based activities will be planned as weekly sessions on campus. If you are studying at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk Campus, Wigan & Leigh College or Burnley College those sessions will be one full day per week. If you are studying at Holy Cross College and University Centre (Bury), this will be two twilights per week. Your university-based experiences will be underpinned by reference to current research with some modules giving you the opportunity to engage with your tutors’ current research interests and projects.
During your course you will undertake 3 formally assessed professional practices. These are required to be in two different schools and in both key stages. Therefore, subject to eligibility, two of the professional practices may be in your own school and one is required to be in an alternative school. During these experiences you will have opportunities to observe the work of expert practitioners. You will reflect on and discuss this practice with those practitioners and your trained school-based mentor. As you take on increasing responsibilities for children’s learning and development, you will start by working with small groups under the direction of the class teacher and progress to planning for and working with the whole class for significant periods of time, managing the learning of every child.
How you'll be assessed
Assessment strategies will include submitting portfolios of school-based work, written assignments, poster presentations, and group and individual oral presentations.
During professional practice your school-based mentor will assess your development through reflective conversations, reviewing and discussing your planning and assessment records, observing your teaching, and gathering the perspectives of other adults and of the children who work with you.
In all cases, you will be given clear assessment guidance. The assessment criteria will be shared with you and you will be given constructive feedback to help you to set targets and identify actions to help you make further progress. You will compile an electronic portfolio throughout your degree that builds to become a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your professional development and your ability to meet the Teachers’ Standards.
There are no formal written examinations as part of the current assessment methods on this programme.
Who will be teaching you
You will be taught by a range of highly qualified and experienced teachers and tutors who are dedicated to excellence in primary education and who will model high quality practice to enable you to develop your own teaching style.
You will be supported by a partnership trainer in school and a Personal Tutor who will help you to manage your workload, engage with your academic studies, prepare for professional practice placements and secure your first teaching post.
The Edge Hill lead mentors and mentor leadership team play an important part in your teacher training as experts in their field. They have a deep knowledge of the trainee curriculum and support trainees and mentors to make progress providing guidance and support on aspects of the curriculum and assessment.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements (2025 / 2026)
Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points, for which no specific subjects are required, plus GCSE English Language or English Literature, GCSE Mathematics and GCSE Science at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
You are expected to have a commitment to, and understanding of, primary education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values and motivation required to train as a teacher.
You should also be able to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing part-time experience in the role of the teaching assistant or learning mentor (voluntary or paid), equivalent to a minimum of one day a week for the school year for the duration of the programme with the approval of the Head Teacher (and their commitment to support your progress). You will need to provide evidence from the setting that you are employed or volunteering in the school.
Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics.
An interview forms part of the selection process. The admissions panel will prioritise for interview those with the greatest strengths in relation to:
- Experience of working with children in a primary school setting
- Knowledge of the Primary National Curriculum
- Personal and presentational qualities as well as the use of spoken and written English
- Intellectual and academic ability, supported by a recent academic reference.
If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of ‘Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults’. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
Example offers
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A Level | BBC-BBB. |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) | Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM). |
| T Level | Overall grade of Merit. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations. |
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
How to apply
There is an online application process for this course.
Please select the application form for your preferred location of study for 2025 entry:
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
Discover our accommodation
Facilities
The Faculty of Education enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of transformative education, training and research for the teaching and education workforce. Housed in a state-of-the-art £9m building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.
Facilities in the lakeside building include a 300-seat lecture theatre, five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching rooms complete with the latest technology.
Our nearby piazza building houses our Research Hub and our Secondary and Further Education department including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.
If you choose to study at Holy Cross College and University Centre in Bury. You’ll be taught by Edge Hill lecturers and staff, and have access to a range of modern facilities, including recent building upgrades and refurbishments. There’s a range of study spaces and a coffee shop where you can relax before lectures. Holy Cross is especially proud of their library, IT facilities, modern classrooms and meeting rooms in the Mary Kelly building where the face-to-face sessions will take place.
If you choose to study at Wigan and Leigh College in Wigan. You’ll be taught by Edge Hill lecturers and staff, and have access to a range of modern facilities, including the Education Specific Centre for Advanced Technical Studies in Wigan’s historic Rushton Building. The Learning Resource Centre is much more than a library with dedicated space for Higher Education Students and access to desktops, laptops and tablets. Wigan and Leigh College is especially proud of their IT facilities, modern classrooms and quiet study spaces in the Parsons Walk Centre where most of the face-to-face sessions will take place. This is also a great place to grab a coffee before you start your lectures.
If you choose to study at Burnley College you will study in their purpose-built, cutting-edge facilities. Burnley College University Courses environment is custom-designed to ensure you have access to the resources, the materials and the tools you need to empower you on your educational journey. BCUC has recently expanded with three whole new storeys packed with cutting-edge facilities including state-of-the-art laboratories, large social spaces for relaxation, brand-new study areas, a futuristic lecture theatre, a café for catching up with friends or studies, an expanded library, access to advice, guidance and the very latest learning technologies.
Where you'll study
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Part-Time
£6,935
a year
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships, which celebrate the determination, commitment and achievement of our students. Many of our scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. To find out more about our scholarships and check your eligibility, please visit our dedicated scholarships pages.
Money Matters
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please see our EU student finance page for further details.
Tuition fees
UK Part-Time
£7,145
a year
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships, which celebrate the determination, commitment and achievement of our students. Many of our scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. To find out more about our scholarships and check your eligibility, please visit our dedicated scholarships pages.
Money Matters
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please see our EU student finance page for further details.
Your future career
This degree is accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Our graduates obtain work in schools across the UK and abroad and we offer excellent support to help you gain your first post as an Early Career Teacher. The programme will prepare you to teach in key stages 1 and 2 in primary schools and support you in developing strong subject knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of primary education.
Before the end of your degree, you will need to complete a Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) which acts as a useful bridge between your initial teacher training programme and your two-year induction as an early career teacher.
Course changes
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
