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Primary Education with Foundation

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 28 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Campus
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2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

This course is subject to change for 2027 entry. Full details will be advertised here, and on our webpages in Summer 2026.

Course details

About our Foundation Programmes
The Foundation Programme is designed for students from under-represented groups in higher education, who have the potential to achieve but who, because of educational disadvantage or disruption, do not have the level of attainment or access to qualifications required for standard entry to a Durham University course. Please note there are eligibility criteria (For more details please scroll to “How to Apply” below for link information).

What we do
Our Foundation Programmes are delivered by a dedicated team of academic tutors from Durham’s Centre for Academic Development. Each year it provides places for 100 students and supports them to progress to Level 1 study in various academic subjects from most academic department in the university. The content focuses on developing an understanding of how knowledge is constructed within the degree programme, metacognitive skills, and independent learning, becoming increasingly specialised as the course progresses. We support students to develop the skills and subject knowledge required for successful study at degree level. On successful completion of the Foundation Year, students will progress to the first year of their degree - Primary Education BA.

Primary Education
Developing the skills; knowledge and understanding needed to go on to become a first-rate teacher.

For full details please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.

Modules

Course Modules

For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.

Assessment method

This programme provides high-quality teaching and learning in a supportive and productive environment which encourages self-awareness, reflective practice, and cross-discipline awareness.

Towards the end of the year, greater emphasis is placed on independent study, not just in preparation for classes and reading around the subjects, but also with students completing an individual project related to their progression route.

Assessment will include across the year; continuous assignment and essay work, maths test, oral presentation and a final dissertation of 3000 words. For full details please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.

In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Has qualified teacher status
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

This course has restrictions on who can apply.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Integrated foundation year • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
X120
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Main Campus
Points of Entry:
Foundation

Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

This course has restrictions on who can apply.

This course is not accepting applications from students requiring a Student visa. For more information, please contact the course provider.

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
X120
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Main Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Open days

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Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

All applicants need to meet Eligibility Criteria to be considered: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-development/study/foundation/eligibility/

If you achieved or have predicted grades that meet the standard offer for your Durham University degree course without Foundation, then you should apply for direct entry, as you will not be considered for the Foundation Programme.

Academic Criteria:
It is not necessary to have Level 3 qualification to apply to the Foundation Programme but you must be able to demonstrate the potential to have achieved the qualification above.

If you have completed Level 3 qualifications within three years or are currently taking them, you need to achieve at least grade C for each A-level, and/or each BTEC at least grade Merit; or at least a Merit in all level 3 modules for an Access to HE course.

Applicants over 21 should have ideally achieved GCSE grade 4 in Maths, English and Science or be able to clearly demonstrate their potential in these subjects. Successful medical and criminal record checks. Demonstrable interest and involvement in the lives and development of young people.

Applicants under 21 must have achieved a GCSE grade 4 or higher in Maths, English and Science. Successful medical and criminal record checks. Demonstrable interest and involvement in the lives and development of young people. https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-development/study/foundation/eligibility

Additional entry requirements

Restricted Eligibility
This course is only available to eligible home fees students. Non-home students may be eligible via our International Study Centre: www.durhamisc.com

English language requirements

Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by visiting the link below under English Language requirements. You should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. For more information on pre-sessional courses please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/pre-sessional-english-language-required/https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Tuition fees remain subject to parliamentary approval. Durham University will charge home rate tuition up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government.

If a student progresses from their foundation year to the first year of their course at Durham University, the tuition fee will rise to at least £10,050, or whatever the maximum tuition fee determined by the UK Government is for the year in which they progress. Fees for subsequent years of the course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

As a student you may also get involved in optional activities which incur additional costs. To find out more visit https://www.dur.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/additional-charges/.

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 4

Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/

Related courses

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