About the course
Become a creative, innovative and reflective teacher, specialising in working with the youngest children in primary schools (aged 3-7), on a course that meets the requirements for Qualified Teacher Status.
Through taught sessions on campus and supported placements, this course develops your confidence in applying theory to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 teaching practice, giving you the knowledge and skills to lead learning and initiate change in educational settings
It prepares you to teach across the EYFS and Key Stage 1 national curriculum with topics including child development; early literacy, maths and science; supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities; creating environments for learning opportunities; effective digital learning; and evidence-informed learning and teaching approaches.
The University of Bedfordshire is the largest provider of teacher education in the region and has a long-established history in teacher training, offering a wide range of routes into teaching and successful partnerships with over 500 schools, colleges and other relevant organisations, from over 14 local authorities.
Why choose this course?
- On successful completion, you achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to work as an early years or primary teacher
- Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where staff get to know you well and provide individual academic support
- Learn in bespoke modern facilities including realistic mock classrooms; a blended-learning, multimedia breakout space for webinars and podcasting; a Forest School for training in outdoor learning and play; and a specialist sensory building for SEND and Early Years courses
- Benefit from an experienced teaching team that includes previous early years and primary teachers as well as middle and senior leaders within schools and early years settings
- Build skills that allow you to communicate effectively with learners, colleagues, parents/carers and other professionals
- Hone your skills of critical self-evaluation and gain confidence in analysing your own practical experience during your school placements
- Develop valuable strategies to manage your own and support others’ positive mental health and wellbeing
- Our Education courses have a high student satisfaction rating for our teaching (91%) and academic support (90%) (NSS 2022)
- The School of Teacher Education has excellent employability rates, with over 95% of our graduate teachers securing teaching roles in school within six months of graduation
Course Leader - Caroline Sadler
I started my teaching career in London and gained many fantastic opportunities to develop both my subject knowledge and leadership skills.
I have taught in both maintained and Prep schools in London, plus I have also been a KS3 Geography teacher within the independent sector.
Units
- Child Development And Theories Of Learning (PSB009-1) Compulsory
- Early Literacy And Reading (PSB010-1) Compulsory
- Mathematics And Science (PSB011-1) Compulsory
- Professional Practice: Multidimensional Classrooms (PSB012-1) Compulsory
- Early Literacy And Communication (PSB017-2) Compulsory
- Further Mathematics And Science (PSB013-2) Compulsory
- Meeting The Needs Of Individual Children (PSB015-2) Compulsory
- Professional Studies: The Broader Curriculum In Early Years And Key Stage One (PSB018-2) Compulsory
- Exploring The Eyfs And National Curriculum Core Subjects (PSB048-3) Compulsory
- Leading High Quality Teaching In The Early Years (PSB049-3) Compulsory
- Professional Studies: Preparing To Work With Children In The 21st Century (PSB044-3) Compulsory
- Research For Teaching (PSB041-3) Compulsory
The assessment for this course seeks to support you in developing your understanding of the connections between theoretical perspectives and practice-based experience. The Profile Review Point (PRP) is the process by which the mentor reviews your progress in your teaching `practice'. The CER provides the framework by which this progress is judged at two points during a school placement to show whether you are on track to meet course curriculum expectations. Formative use of assessment is embedded throughout the course and is a principle which we would expect you to adopt in your own teaching. You will be supported to become familiar with self and peer assessment approaches and to make effective use of feedback on academic aspects of the course, to identify targets for your on-going development and plan actions to address them.
Why the School of Teacher Education?
- 100% satisfaction with Physical Education (Secondary) NSS 2021
-
Professional expertise in all 4 phases of Teacher Education
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
- A standard equivalent to a grade 4 (or GCSE A to C) in the GCSE examinations in English, Mathematics and Science.
- To have IELTS with an average score of at least 6.0 if your first language is not English and you do not have GCSE grade C in English
- A successful interview
- Meet all safeguarding requirements including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check, Fitness to Practice, Suitability to Train to Teach, and all other safeguarding checks required at the time of application
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
- To have IELTS with an average score of at least 6.0 if your first language is not English and you do not have GCSE grade C in English
- A successful interview
- Meet all safeguarding requirements including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check, Fitness to Practice, Suitability to Train to Teach, and all other safeguarding checks required at the time of application
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
- A standard equivalent to a grade 4 (or GCSE A to C) in the GCSE examinations in English, Mathematics and Science.
- To have IELTS with an average score of at least 6.0 if your first language is not English and you do not have GCSE grade C in English
- A successful interview
- Meet all safeguarding requirements including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check, Fitness to Practice, Suitability to Train to Teach, and all other safeguarding checks required at the time of application
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.
- To have IELTS with an average score of at least 6.0 if your first language is not English and you do not have GCSE grade C in English
- A successful interview
- Meet all safeguarding requirements including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check, Fitness to Practice, Suitability to Train to Teach, and all other safeguarding checks required at the time of application
We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications. See your country page for more details
Check Your Country page to confirm that your local qualifications are suitable or contact your International Admissions Team
How will this course improve my career prospects?
You will gain experience in a range of schools, and in different settings, throughout your course, enabling you to build a network of contacts. You will also benefit from our wider university careers services with structured guidance on preparing strong applications and attending interviews.
You may also consider undertaking further study such as the MA Education or a specialist qualification eg in literacy or behavioural difficulties once you become teacher.
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 for this course
You will need to pay for the initial Disclosure and Barring Service check plus an annual update charge.
You need to budget for additional travel costs for your teaching placements during your course.
Extra Costs
Campus Library
The Bedford Campus Library set over four storeys offers students access to our extensive range of physical and digital resources with 300,000+ books & 80,000+ ebooks.
PCs are provided on each level for students to use offering access to a wide range of applications as well as access to group-work areas and presentation-practice rooms and a dedicated silent study floor.
Forest School
The Forest School provides a resource for the University’s trainee teachers to be trained in outdoor learning and for their classes to experience the long term educational benefits of outdoor play.
Sports Facilities
The purposely designed teaching spaces house a range of seminars, lectures and practical sessions providing an excellent teaching space for primary and secondary education.
Campus Theatres
Set within the Campus Centre is a 260 seat professional theatre on the ground floor with industry-standard lighting, media desk, roll-down screen, full backstage comms system and large dressing rooms with en suite showers. On the first floor there's also a well-equipped 80 seat studio theatre.
Our theatres welcome new and existing audiences to see a range of student work including contemporary dance, theatre and performing arts; holding regular events that are open to students, staff and the wider community.
BedsSU - The Hub
The Hub is home to BedsSU providing a great space for socialising with friends, catching up on some coursework or taking a well-deserved break.
The Hub is the place to go to take a break from your studies, play table tennis, socialise and watch live sport on the big screen.By night the venue becomes the place to be, with a variety of student events such as pub quizzes, live music and various themed club nights. Evening food includes delicious freshly made pizzas as well as a range of other beverages and snacks.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
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 most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
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
