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Primary Teacher Education (Campus-Based)

BA (Hons)

Expected move to Headington Campus for the start of the 2025/26 academic year

UCAS code: X120

Start dates: September 2025 / September 2026

Full time: 3 years

Location: Headington

Department(s): School of Education, Humanities and Languages

Overview
Course details
Careers
Entry requirements
How to apply
Tuition fees

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Overview

You'll join a course whose graduates inspire thousands of children and teach in hundreds of schools across Oxfordshire and beyond. The BA (Hons) in Primary Teacher Education is specifically designed to provide you
with secure subject and pedagogical knowledge that enables you to become effective classroom teachers.

School leaders know our graduates are well-prepared to meet the high standards expected of them in our schools, with a broad range of on-campus and on-placement teaching and learning. Which will prepare you to make a difference in the lives of every child you will teach, every day..

Your University lecturers have held senior posts in schools and are subject specialists. While on-placement, expert colleagues in our partnership schools will provide you with the mentoring to support your development of purposeful practice in schools. 

At the end of the programme, successful completion of the programme, will enable you to be recommended for qualified teacher status 

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Teaching student in class listening to the tutor

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Purposefully designed placements
    Put your training into practice with placements in at least two different schools and key stages and learn how to make a difference to the lives of every child you teach.
  • Excellence for all
    The programme is underpinned by the principles of character, equity and inclusion, with a focus on adaptive pedagogies.
  • Evidence informed practice
    An academically rigorous and ambitious curriculum to fully develop your skills.
  • Expert support
    Incremental and sustained trainee progress - with nothing left to chance and tailored support where needed.
  • Excellent career options
    Trainees secure jobs in schools that are right for them.
  • Free language courses

    Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

  • Accreditation(s)

    The Department for Education

    • ITET Curriculum

Course details

Course structure

Our primary teacher education programme prepares you to teach effectively across the primary phase. The curriculum, which is underpinned by the statutory expectations of the DfE, ensures that you’ll learn, review and revisit ideas through the novice, advanced beginner and effective stages, to become proficient in all aspects of teaching.

The programme consists of on-campus and on-placement learning, helping you to observe, deconstruct, practise, refine and apply your learning to your classroom teaching.

The Oxford Brookes University ITET curriculum contains core components that you’ll need to secure to enable you to meet the standards required for QTS. These include 

  • Professional Conduct and Responsibilities
  • Climate for Learning
  • How Pupils Learn
  • Subject and Curriculum Knowledge
  • Planning and Preparation
  • Assessment, Adaptation and Feedback.

The OBU ITET Knowledge Base outlines the core knowledge underpinning the curriculum as well as guidance on how you can enhance your current knowledge.

Tutor and teaching student discussing pedagogical approaches for teaching

Learning and teaching

You'll be part of a vibrant and dynamic learning community. You'll also have access to specialist education teaching spaces. 

You'll explore forest school approaches in our outdoor learning spaces. And you'll be able to borrow teaching resources from our Education Resources Centre. 

The on-campus element of the programme is taught to the highest standard by professionally experienced subject-specialists. You will gain theoretical knowledge, skills and understanding combined with the opportunity to practise newly acquired skills before going out into the school environment on your placement.

While on-placement, expert colleagues in our partnership schools will be your mentors to help support the development of your knowledge, understanding and skills while engaging in purposeful practice in schools. Lead mentors from the university will also oversee and quality assure these placements.

Assessment

On this course you will develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes to become an effective early career teacher (ECT).

You are assessed on this course through a range of course assignments with no exams, including:

  • essays
  • projects
  • portfolios
  • presentations
  • trainee progress profile.

There will be opportunities to work collaboratively and independently in order to receive formative feedback. Summative assessments are all graded individually. 

Your progress towards meeting the Teachers’ Standards (DfE 2012) is tracked and monitored continuously throughout the programme, both in the University and during your school placements, using the trainee progress profile.

Field Trips

During your time on the course, you will have the opportunity to participate in a broad range of additional learning opportunities. Some of these are included in your course fees whilst others incur an additional cost.

Additional opportunities include:

  • a 3 day trip to an outdoor education residential centre in Wales (additional charge)
  • Lawn Tennis Association training for teachers
  • First Aid training (additional charge).

Please note that we regularly update our offer in order to tailor it to the needs and interests of our trainees.

Study modules

Teaching for this course takes place face to face and you can expect around 18 hours of contact time per week. In addition to this, you should also anticipate a workload of 1,200 hours per year. Teaching usually takes place Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm. Placement hours are 8am-4pm minimum.

Contact hours involve activities such as lectures, seminars, practicals, assessments, and academic advising sessions. These hours differ by year of study and typically increase significantly during placements or other types of work-based learning.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • Professional Studies 1 (including placement based curriculum and ITaP)

    This module gives you the opportunity to acquire the core professional habits and behaviours necessary for teachers at the Novice Stage of training, within the context of the statutory guidance for working in schools. It supports you to understand and apply our review, refine, reflect model to your learning.

    Your Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) element of the module will eqip you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to create a positive climate for learning and plan lessons for all pupils.

  • Child Development 1

    An understanding of child development is a prerequisite of effective teaching. During this module you will have the opportunity to explore key aspects of children’s development processes from a variety of perspectives, gaining an understanding of holistic development from age 3-11.

    This module will provide you with a theoretical base from which you can develop your practical understanding of how to support children’s holistic development. You'll draw on key theories in relation to child development and learning, increasing familiarity with practitioner texts and theoretical materials.

  • English 1

    This module provides you with opportunities to begin to acquire the skills and knowledge relevant to the teaching of English 5-11. It aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the essential elements of the English curriculum, drawing on The Reading Framework and the most recent research from The Education Endowment Foundation. 

    Covering all four language modes, but with an emphasis on The Simple View of Reading, you will gain a solid understanding of the theory and practice of Systematic Synthetic Phonics and begin to understand Language Comprehension. Creating an adaptive and effective teaching and learning environment is central to this as is the teacher’s role in explicit teaching and facilitation.

  • Mathematics 1

    This module introduces you to mathematics education with a focus on broader and connected concepts. It'll support you to think mathematically and see its applicability across Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Drawing on the National Curriculum, Early Years Framework and other relevant national guidance for schools, this module integrates subject knowledge and pedagogy.

  • Science and DT 1

    This module introduces you to the required subject knowledge of science in chemistry, biology and physics. You will consider the teaching of science and design and technology, developing your subject knowledge and pedagogical skills based on research evidence and knowledge of best practice.

  • Foundation Subjects 1 (Double Module)

    Building on the diversity of the your own experiences and knowledge, this module provides the you with the opportunity to develop an understanding of foundation subjects. You'll learn that developing your own subject knowledge is a foundational element of your teaching practice, and explore how you can achieve this through pertinent knowledge enhancement resources. 

    The module addresses misconceptions around how pupils learn and uses evidence to secure your understanding of teaching foundation subjects that support pupils to develop secure knowledge and understanding. You are also introduced to pedagogical approaches which support a positive classroom climate in foundation subjects.

  • Inclusion 1

    Developing your knowledge and understanding of inclusive practices and the practical implementation of inclusivity, this module will provide insights into the development and implementation of policy and legislation in this area. 

    The development of inclusive practices for all will be critically examined in relation to the long-term impact of promoting inclusion and wellbeing. National and international perspectives will be explored in relation to children and young people's diversity and experiences of inclusion. A variety of inter-disciplinary perspectives, including; historical, sociological, psychological and philosophical will be considered to examine inclusion. Policy, pedagogy, and practice will be explored in relation to nurturing inclusivity through reviewing research and analysing relevant material.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Professional Studies 2 (including placement based curriculum and ITaP)

    This module aims to give you the opportunity to acquire the core professional habits and behaviours necessary for teachers at the Advanced Beginner Stage of your training. It supports you to reflect upon your own practice and to respond to feedback, applying the review, refine and reflect cycle. It aims to provide you with skills to plan and teach individual and sequences of lessons that are incorporate inclusive pedagogy. 

    Your Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) element of the module will eqip you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to model effectivly and adapt lessons for the pupils you teach.

  • Child Development 2

    You'll learn about how children express your knowledge, skills, ideas and interests through play, and consider how individuals participate and are included in play experiences, as well as critiquing the significance of physical and virtual creative spaces for promoting play.  You will investigate the foundations and principles of play to enable you to identify appropriate strategies and interventions to support the needs and preferences of individuals and groups, to create spaces and places for play, and to develop an understanding of the management of ‘risky’ play.

    As part of this module you will also learn how to plan for continuous provision to support pupils’ learning in the EYFS and primary National Curriculum. You will particularly focus on how to plan for adult initiated learning as well as identifying opportunities for pupils to initiate and direct their own play.

  • English 2

    In this module, all four language modes (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and their inter-relationships are studied. There is a focus on writing transcription and composition and how we adapt our teaching to support all children throughout the writing process. The module will provide you with the confidence and skills to design effective English lessons that enable pupils to write with purpose and impact.

  • Mathematics 2

    This module builds on the concepts introduced in year 1, and how these connect and contribute to children’s understanding in Key Stage 2. You'll be required to apply your conceptual understanding from Year 1, think mathematically and understand the importance of sequencing teaching for deeper understanding, building towards the introduction of procedural methods.

  • Science and DT 2

    This module prepares you to develop your subject knowledge of science in chemistry, biology and physics, and in DT, and your understanding of science and DT pedagogy. You will gain an understanding of the progression of science and DT learning in primary schools and how to plan for a sequence of lessons, utilising adaptive approaches to plan for the needs of all children.

  • Foundational Subjects 2

    Building on the experience and knowledge developed in Y1, this module provides the opportunity for you to further develop your application and understanding of foundation subjects. 

    You'll continue to learn that developing your own subject knowledge is a core component of your teaching practice, and you'll learn how to achieve this through pertinent knowledge enhancement resources. You are taught how to plan and evaluate lessons for pupils in foundation subjects, as well as how to adapt and use existing schemes of work to meet the needs of learners in your class.

  • Inclusion 2

    This module explores the issues and challenges around inclusive provision for children and young people with special educational needs/disabilities (SEND). The module aims to provide you with an understanding of the evolution of policy and practice relating to special educational needs/disabilities and an understanding of the legislative framework within which SEND provision is made. 

    We will analyse notions of discrimination and you'll be challenged to think about attitudes, beliefs, policy and provision. You'll critically examine a variety of alternative perspectives and consider how the best available research can inform classroom pedagogy and practice. You will also consider how excellent practice for all pupils supports excellent practice for pupils with SEND, examining how adaptive teaching can be used to meet the needs of all pupils in the class.

Optional modules

Independent Study Module - only available to trainees who are not completing PS2

This module will draw upon your knowledge and experience of primary education including how children learn, subject knowledge in the primary curriculum, planning, teaching and assessment and the contexts for education as a basis for independent study into an issue of interest.

This might include the role of the teaching assistant, the increasing need for inclusive literature in the primary classroom, an investigation into the needs of children with autism, the role of well-being and mental health in education or theories of attachment. The structure of the independent study will enable students to identify areas of interest to research and synthesise knowledge in the form of an assignment.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

  • Professional Studies 3 (including placement based curriculum and ITaP)

    This module will give you the opportunity to acquire the core professional habits and behaviours necessary for teachers at the Effective Stage of your training. You'll be supported to reflect upon your practice and to respond to feedback. The module will enable you to develop the skills to plan effectively within and across sequences of lessons, with the aim of ensuring that you are fully prepared for your ECT years.

    Your Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) element of the module will eqip you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to design lessons that enable opportunities for high quality discussion and oracy.

  • Excellence for All (Double Module)

    The module provides you with the opportunity to enhance your understanding of the pertinent knowledge base for teaching and make explicit links between evidence and classroom practice. Through the lens of a national curriculum foundation subject, you'll consider the connections between evidence, policy and classroom practice and how this has been interpreted. You will develop your understanding of the importance of foundation subjects within primary education and secure your understanding of high-quality research informed teaching within your chosen subject. 

  • English 3

    In this module you will broaden that depth of knowledge and understanding of children’s literature across a range of reading materials. The module seeks to support you to become reflective of the gaps in your own reading, deepen skills in the critical evaluation of texts and support you with planning and teaching a text-centred curriculum in which stories lie at the heart of a child’s learning experiences.

  • Mathematics 3

    This module consolidates and extends the mathematical  understanding and pedagogical knowledge developed in year 1 and 2. You'll further develop your understanding of how to adapt planning in response to pupil need, teach and formatively assess primary mathematics, considering the typical progression in concepts from the Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2. You'll be supported to understand and evaluate current and pivotal issues concerning primary mathematics, including curriculum innovations.

  • Science and DT 3

    This module prepares you to be fully confident in your subject knowledge of science in chemistry, biology and physics across all key stages in the primary school curriculum while further developing your understanding of science pedagogy. you will learn how to design sequences of lessons which make connections and build secure schemas of knowledge. You will gain an understanding of formative and summative assessment of science and design and technology in primary schools and how to adapt teaching in response to assessment data. In design and technology, you'll explore opportunities for cross curricular work, learning how to make links across STEM subjects.

  • Foundational Subjects 3

    Building on knowledge, skills and understanding in the BA PTE year one and two Foundation Studies and Research in Child Development modules, you will explore how a broad and balanced curriculum can promote the spiritual, moral, cultural and mental and physical development of pupils.

    You'll learn how to articulate a rationale for learning intent; develop your curriculum design planning skills for implementing your intent; and consider the impact of curriculum design. As well as input from specialist lecturers at the University, you will spend 2-days with a learning specialist in a cultural venue. This will enable you to examine the educational value of first-hand immersive experiences and to build networks within the education and cultural sectors.  You are also introduced to pedagogical approaches which support assessment and adaptation of lessons in the foundation subjects.

  • Inclusion 3

    This module builds on prior knowledge developed at levels 4 and 5, to explore vulnerable, deprived, marginalised or excluded individuals/groups, and approaches to engage, support and promote positive outcomes for these individuals.

    This module outlines a range of perspectives on inclusive education and provides you with an opportunity to explore the ways in which various groups traditionally excluded from education can be included. We will look at the experiences of children and young people who are marginalised or excluded and focus on the impact on the child/young person. We will also explore and critique a range of national and international models and practice relating to inclusion.

Optional modules

Employability Skills Module (only available to trainees who are not competing PS3)

This module aims to provide you with skills in employability.  There's a particular focus on how you can utilise your non QTS degree qualification for a career in education or wider employment.

It'll provide you with advice on writing application letters and CVs. You'll receive expertise from careers advisors from the University.  The transferable skills you learned within the BA Education degree will be identified and utilised.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Careers

Teaching is a career where you can make a real difference to children’s lives. And you’ll finish this course with the skills and confidence to become an outstanding primary teacher, ready to start  your teaching career.

You’ll develop strong relationships with teachers and school leaders at multiple schools during your placements. And you’ll graduate with a solid professional network that will help you secure your first teaching role.  

You’ll graduate with skills, knowledge and confidence that you’ll draw on throughout your whole career. You will be an effective beginning teacher who is ready to embark on their ECT years.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Teaching Regulation Agency to grant Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK. You will be provisionally registered with the Teaching Regulation Agency at the beginning of your course. Students who successfully complete the course will be recommended for QTS.

 

Student profiles

Louise Bradley

"I was attracted to the Brookes course because I knew several people who had been on the course and they recommended it to me and because it was close to home. Oxford is a beautiful city with so much going on, it’s charming, quirky and definitely the friendliest city I have been to"

Read more about Louise
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Entry requirements

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 104

A Level: BCC

IB Points: 29

BTEC: DMM

Contextual offer

What is a contextual offer?

UCAS Tariff Points: 88

A Level: CCD

IB Points: 27

BTEC: MMM

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process

Apply for this course through UCAS.

You will receive a communication from us inviting you to an online interview day if your application is successful. 

A successful interview will lead to you receiving an offer for a place on this course. 

We recommend that you gain some school experience before applying for the course, this is not a requirement for the course.

 


Apply through UCAS now

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£16,300
Home (UK) full time
£9,250*
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module*
International full time
£16,750

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£16,300
2025 / 26
Home (UK) full time
£9,250*
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module*
International full time
£16,750

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

* Following the government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we expect to increase our undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Please visit The Education Hub for more information about the changes. We will confirm our fees for 2025/26 as soon as possible.

Please note, tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students. 

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

Oxford Brookes Bursary for home students Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students Oxford Brookes Bursary Scheme

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Information from Discover Uni

Full-time study

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.