About the course
Designed so you can work while you study, this flexible course is ideal if you would like a career in teaching and already work or volunteer in a primary, nursery or special school as a nursery nurse, teaching assistant, instructor, sports coach or classroom volunteer.
This course helps you add an understanding of academic theory to your experience of working in an educational setting. Successful completion qualifies you to apply for Qualifying to Teach courses at Primary and Early Years levels.
It is designed so you can work while studying, offering evening part-time study at Luton, Bedford and Peterborough, and a part-time day option at Luton. All courses are mainly delivered during the school year and there is also an opportunity for it to be completed in a work-based setting. It is the only course locally offering this flexibility of degree study for working students.
You can gain your Honours degree in four years although your study can be spread over a longer period.
Why choose this course?
- Our Education courses have a high student satisfaction rating for our teaching (91%) and academic support (90%) (NSS 2022)
- Develop a strong foundation and in-depth understanding of educational provision for children aged between 3 and 11 years, and children in special education working at levels commensurate with this age band
- Learn the skills you need to apply for Qualifying to Teach courses
- Study part-time while working in an educational setting and use your work experience towards your course
- Benefit from our experienced support in helping you balance work, study and family commitments
- Gain from a course that provides a clear route into a professional graduate role, through Early Years teacher status, Primary initial teacher training or leadership and management
Apply direct
To apply for this course, please contact admission@beds.ac.uk

Units
- English: Knowledge And Understanding (EDS009-1) Compulsory
- Investigating The Curriculum (EDS010-1) Compulsory
- Personalised Learning (EDS013-1) Compulsory
- Skills For Education Studies (EDS012-1) Compulsory
- English: Theory And Practice (EDS009-2) Compulsory
- Mathematics Education (EDS010-2) Compulsory
- Reflecting On Practice (EDS011-2) Compulsory
- The Learning Environment (EDS012-2) Compulsory
- Mathematical Problem Solving And Reasoning (EDS011-3) Compulsory
- Professional Practice (EDS008-3) Compulsory
- Research Methods (EDS010-3) Compulsory
- Research Project In Applied Education Studies (EDS012-3) Compulsory
The purpose of assessment is to provide formative feedback to you, to monitor your performance and to measure your attainment. In addition, it aims to enable you to demonstrate that you have fulfilled the objectives of each unit as well as the profession as a whole. The assessment strategies are designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate the range of knowledge, understanding and skills required by intending teachers and those who wish to work within education. Assessment opportunities include the following: - Written reports and essays - Student presentations - In-class tests - Poster presentations - Preparation of lesson sequences and teaching materials - Reflective portfolio - Literature reviews - Research proposal Research project The combination of these approaches is to enable students to demonstrate the full range of your competences across a range of academic standards. Development of oral presentational skills The key importance of the development of oral presentational skills to intending teachers is recognised by the course team and every opportunity is taken to encourage you to enhance your skills in this area. A number of units include formal assessment of oral presentational skills and the feedback given to you is intended to be formative in order to aid development. All such presentations are recorded and are made available to students so that they may self-assess their own performance. Many units involve small-scale group and individual oral feedback opportunities and requirements
Why study in the School of Education and English?
- Broad spectrum of opportunities to study language and linguistics
- 92% satisfaction with English Language and TEFL, NSS 2020
Entry Requirements
- A level 3 qualification such as NVQ Level 3, Cache Diploma or equivalent in child/education related subjects
- A reference in support of your application from the Head teacher or setting manager. Please include their contact details on your application form
- Applicants who do not have a level 3 qualification will be considered based on their experience in schools/educational settings and may be invited to participate in an informal discussion to assess suitability for the course
On completion of this course you will be able to apply for an employment-based route to Qualified Teacher Status or undertake a PGCE course.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra Costs
How to Apply
Application for this undergraduate course is direct to the University of Bedfordshire.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
Application for this undergraduate course is direct to the University of Bedfordshire.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for this undergraduate course is direct to the University of Bedfordshire.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
Application for this undergraduate course is direct to the University of Bedfordshire.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student