BA (Hons) in Education: Primary and Early Years
Bath, United Kingdom
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
23 Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 15,750 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* International full time | UK full time £9,250
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
This is more than a primary teaching degree. BA (Hons) Education: Primary and Early Years sets primary education in a broader context of debates around education, professional practice, teaching and learning - both nationally and internationally.
This primary education degree is ideal if you intend to qualify as an early years or primary school teacher, as it'll help you formulate your professional skills and career identity through experience of working with children in schools.
The course offers a guaranteed interview for our PGCE Primary and Early Years course, but is flexible; we'll support you in achieving your aspirations as a professional educator - however they develop during the degree.
You'll benefit from our tutors' wealth of research and practice-informed expertise when you join this community of learning and practice.
Professional placement year
Overview
This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.
By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.
Year one (Level 4) modules
- Introduction to Primary Schools
- Introduction to Education Research
- Education for Change
- Controversial Issues in Special and Inclusive Education
- Philosophical Enquiry and Education
- Educational History and HeritageYear two (Level 5) modules
- Issues in Education
- Professional Practice in Schools
- Understanding Classrooms
Optional modules may include:
- Literacy Learning in a Multi-media World
- Supporting Learners with Additional Needs
- Environment and Education
- Sociology of Education
- Youth in Society: Power, Politics and Participation
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Education, Social Inequalities and Social Justice
- Professional Placement YearYear three (Level 6) modules
- Education Research Project (Part 1)
- Education Research Project (Part 2)
- Teaching and Professionalism
Optional modules may include:
- Learning in Mathematics
- Childhood, Reading and Children’s Literature
- Health, Education and Wellbeing
- Young People, Identities and Subcultures
- Professional Practice: Supporting the Dyslexic Learning in the Classroom
- Learning in Science
- Culture, Creativity and Society: Perspectives in Art Education
- Identity, Philosophy and Education
- Social and Educational Inclusion
- Symbolic representations: Young children making meaning
- Global and International Education
Please note, not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.
What you'll learn
Overview
We offer a wide range of modules for you to choose from. You’ll be able to explore education from many theoretical and ideological perspectives, which could give you that all-important edge when you begin your education career.
Course structure
Year one
The first year introduces key concepts and skills that underpin the subject of Education Studies. In addition there are a range of modules that enable you to explore your interests in education as an agent for change. The core module offers an introduction to primary schools and a school placement.
Year two
You’ll consider more deeply the current issues in education, such as pedagogy, pupil voice, special needs, assessment and classroom organisation. You’ll undertake a second primary school placement, this time with a focus on developing your professionalism.
Year three
This year, the Teaching and Professionalism module prepares you for the PGCE. For your dissertation, you'll explore an issue of your choice and use your creativity and the skills you've gained so far to develop a classroom resource to address it. You'll also have opportunities to engage with PGCE staff and students; this eases your transition to initial teacher training.
How will I be assessed?
Coursework includes essays, group presentations, research-based reports and portfolio-based work. There are no exams. We’ll provide you with prompt feedback and give you regular guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge and understanding.
Successful completion of the undergraduate degree leads to a guaranteed interview for our Oftsted Outstanding rated Primary and Early Years PGCE course.
Our students often enter the teaching profession in local schools and a range of other settings and benefit from continued participation in the School of Education community of research and practice.
Flexibility is key; this course is designed to inform a range of education careers - from classroom teaching to advisory roles that inform policy and practice, both nationally and internationally.
How will I be taught?
All modules are led by experienced and respected university staff. Many staff are active researchers and authors in the field of education studies; from the outset they’ll introduce you to their particular specialisms and research interests, through a range of optional modules. You’ll also benefit from regular visiting speakers – these include headteachers, practitioners, educational advisers, specialist researchers and international visitors.
Course length
Three years full-time, or four years full-time with a professional placement year. Part-time available.