BA (Hons) Education
Studies (Primary)*
This course was introduced in
2019 and offers an approach to
teaching that is founded in
evidence-based research in the
social sciences. If you want a
career as a primary school
teacher where you will genuinely
make a difference in the world
and inspire our future citizens,
this course is for you.
This degree is about more than simply
preparing you to inspire a class of young
learners; it will engage you in the wider
socio-political issues that affect education
on every level and how this in turn
influences educational outcomes for
children.
You’ll study contemporary issues in
education, psychology and sociology to
develop a sound knowledge base of
children’s developmental pathways and the
range of factors that affect them. You’ll
gain an understanding of how pedagogic
theory and knowledge informs classroom
practices at early years and primary school
level. By developing a detailed knowledge
of all areas of the curriculum, including
outdoor learning, you’ll become skilful at
integrating literacy, numeracy and
wellbeing throughout your teaching.
Through practical experience in educational
and community settings you will learn how
to build positive relationships with children
and work alongside other professionals. Our
education courses draw on our expertise in,
and focus on, wellbeing, resilience, child
welfare and inequality. You’ll learn how to
assess individual needs and plan inclusive
learning experiences taking account of
diversity and difference.
Over the four years you will develop your
academic literacies including digital and
data literacy. You will develop research
skills to enable you to develop as an
autonomous, critically thinking, reflective
professional.
Scotland’s newest four-year
Education Studies (Primary) degree
provides a fresh, innovative
approach to teacher education,
recognising the rewards and
challenges that teaching presents in
the 21st century. It is a dynamic
programme of learning, which will
give you the expertise, confidence
and professional qualification you
need to teach in primary schools.
This is a fresh, modern and ambitious
approach to teacher education. We hope
you feel as passionate about this new
direction as we do and look forward to
receiving your application.
At QMU we are committed to widening
access to education and we welcome
applications from all backgrounds and
genders.
the Lifespan/ Psychology/ Early Years
Placement
Year Two
Childhood Learning/ Literacy: Theory and
Pedagogy/ Numeracy: Theory and
Pedagogy/ Teaching and Curriculum
Studies/ Learning for Sustainability/
Optional modules/ Lower Primary
Placement
Year Three
Structure
You will study for four years to become
qualified to work as a primary school
teacher. Progression into Year Two will be
dependent on successfully completing all
modules, placements and reflective report
in Year One. If after the first year you
decide not to pursue teaching there is an
option to transfer to our Education Studies
course (see page 144). This is a broad
based social sciences degree with an
emphasis on broader aspects of
education. On both courses you will
complete a range of modules each year as
outlined.
Teaching, learning and assessment
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars,
workshops, enquiry-based, student-led
activity, independent study, online group
tutorials, school experience/community
placements. Assessment methods are
varied, including essays, reports,
presentations, blogs and audiovisual
submissions. For more details see the
course entry on our website.
Inclusive Practices/ Language and
Literacy/ Mathematics and Numeracy/
Teaching and Curriculum Studies/
Teaching as a Reflective Practitioner/
Middle or Upper Primary Placement
Year Four
Teacher as Professional: Interprofessional
Working/ Teaching and Curriculum
Studies/ Professional Enquiry into Practice/
Optional module with Community
Placement/ Middle or Upper Primary
Placement
Entry requirements
Scottish Higher:
Standard: ABBB
Minimum: BBBB
A Level: BBC
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H2 H3
International Baccalaureate: 30 points
International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element
lower than 5.5.
Required subjects:
• Highers - Higher English grade B
AND Maths at Nat 5
Year One • Academic Literacies/ Education Studies/
Society and Lifestyles/ Learning through A levels - GCSE English Literature
B/6 AND GCSE English Language
B/6 AND GCSE Maths B/6
ILC – English H2 AND Maths O3
Modules
142