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Primary Education with QTS BA (Hons)

Start date

September

UCAS code

X120

Duration

3 years

UCAS points

104 - 96

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The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 10 for Student ExperienceThe Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023: Top 5 for Teaching Quality

Train for a challenging and rewarding career as a primary school teacher in an ‘outstanding’ (Ofsted, 2019) department.

Study our primary education degree with a professional qualification (QTS) to prepare for a fulfilling career in the classroom, inspiring future generations.

We will train you to teach five to 11-year-olds in both secular and religious schools. We offer special provision for those intending to teach in Roman Catholic schools.

School Experience in every year of your course

You will spend at least seven weeks each year in a primary school working alongside expert colleagues in a range of year groups. You will start working with small groups and will progress to planning for and teaching whole classes.

We will organise these school placements for you in one of our partnership schools to ensure you receive the appropriate levels of support.

Learn from devoted tutors in a supportive environment

Our students praise St Mary’s for the quality of our teaching, and the support you receive from staff on the programme: “The passionate lecturers are a constant reminder of why teaching is my chosen profession, and I became genuinely excited to go into school and put everything that I have learnt into practice.” (NSS, 2021)

Another student explained, "I felt valued and respected by all staff from the outset of my course. I have enjoyed my experience and thanks to all the staff on my course, I feel I have the skills and enthusiasm after their support, teaching and advice to embark on my new career as a teacher." 

Ofsted graded St Mary’s ‘Outstanding’ in all areas of teacher training in 2019. We achieved 92% teaching satisfaction rate in the 2022 National Student Survey.

You can also study our programme in North Wales. We are partnered with Wrexham Glyndŵr, who offer teaching placements in both English and Welsh schools.

kathryn jan 2019

Kath Ezzeldin

Programme Lead – BA ITT Primary

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Course content

Modules

Course content is carefully designed to meet the requirements of the Initial Teacher Training Core Content Framework (ITTCCF) and is underpinned by research-informed practice.

Most of our modules are core. The optional modules listed will be available to students from 2023/24.

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

Entry requirements

We are committed to recruiting trainee teachers who have the 'ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.' The interview process will cover the suitability of applicants to work with children and young people.

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references, and your motivation for study.

104 - 96

UCAS points

GCSE

Grade 4/C in GCSE English, mathematics and science (or equivalent) are required.

We offer GCSE equivalency tests for those who need to improve their GCSE grades.

Interview

You need to attend and pass an interview. This is a government requirement for a QTS course. As a default, the interview will be held in person on campus.

If you are an international student or cannot travel to campus, this can be discussed with the Admissions and Recruitment team.

Fitness to teach and DBS check

Successful completion of a physical and mental fitness to teach and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred lists, which shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role are required.

Fundamental skills in English and numeracy

Teacher training providers are responsible for assuring trainee teachers have met an appropriate level of skills in numeracy and English.

At St Mary's University you must demonstrate you are competent in English and mathematics by the end of your teacher training programme. This is part of the recommendation for QTS. We will ensure that you have opportunities to develop and consolidate these skills during the programme.

BA Primary Education with QTS (with a Foundation Year)

We offer this programme with a foundation year, providing you with an alternative route onto this degree if you don’t have the grades to join the BA course. For this course, you will need between 48 – 72 UCAS points. On successful completion of the foundation year and an interview, you are able to progress onto the full undergraduate degree.

Equality Act 2010

St Mary's is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and nurturing an inclusive and diverse student population. As such, we welcome applications from all those interested in pursuing an academic programme of study. Throughout the application process and while a student is enrolled at St Mary's, we will ensure that individuals will not be discriminated against based on any of the characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010.

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

Further Information

For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.

How many UCAS points my grades are worth

A levels

  • A*

    56 pts

  • A

    48 pts

  • B

    40 pts

  • C

    32 pts

  • D

    24 pts

  • E

    16 pts

My qualification isn't listed:

If you can't find your qualification in this list please check the full list of UCAS tariff tables.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

Home

£9,250

International

£16,320

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.

Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Whilst on school placement, you can claim help with your travelling expenses from the university.

You pay the first £3.10 of additional travel costs each day (i.e on top of what it normally costs you to travel to University) and you must take the cheapest mode of transport. The amount of £3.10 is set by the University and reviewed annually.

In Year 1 there are few additional costs. You are encouraged to buy a textbook in Maths (£9) and a display board for English and professional studies assignments (£5-10).

In Year 2 and 3 electives, we take you out on some trips to museums and galleries in London, and out into local schools. You are only expected to pay your travel costs on these trips, which would be unlikely to exceed £50 per year. Art and design and technology students are asked to buy sketchbooks (£5-10) and some students buy display boards and provide some additional materials for presentations.

Scholarships

Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

How the degree is taught

Contact time - 49%

Independent study - 51%

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

Please note: contact time includes 14% of guided learning, and 22% of placement.

Teaching takes place in purpose-built classrooms that mirror those found in primary schools. Tutors model good practice in the use of technology and use lectures, seminars, and workshops to stimulate and encourage you to become reflective practitioners.

Class sizes are usually around 25 students.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed through essays, rationales, portfolios, lesson plans, presentations, resource innovation and a research project. School experience is assessed against the government’s Teachers’ Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.

Career opportunities

St Mary’s graduates are very successful in securing teaching appointments at the end of their studies. Many take up employment in one of our partnership schools and go on to inspire and mentor students who follow them through St Mary’s.

Some students return to study one of our master's degrees in education.

The Careers Service has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to Primary Education students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.

What our students say about this course...

I feel so supported at St Mary’s and tutors provide you with all the information you need to know. They're always really open to answer any questions that you have.
Jack Busby

Jack Busby

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Open Days

Open Days are a fantastic opportunity for you to meet academic staff. You'll also be able to look around the campus, speak to current students and find out more about services such as Accommodation, Student Wellbeing and Study Abroad.