Primary Education Studies

Shape the future of education while broadening your career options. Delve into many different subjects with a focus on Primary-age children.

• Go beyond traditional classroom learning to explore education in its widest context.

• Delve into a variety of subjects, including sociology, policy, sustainability, globalisation, technology, and social justice.

• Engage with significant global debates and values underpinning the nature and role of education in society.

• ARU is the only new accredited University provider of teacher training in the UK.

• We have over 20 years’ experience of training education professionals.

• Study at a university ranked 13th in the country for Education in the Guardian League Table 2025 and in the top 10% in the country for graduate employment (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).

Our BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies allows you to delve into a variety of subjects, including sociology, policy, sustainability, globalisation, technology, and social justice, with a key focus on children in the Primary age range.

You’ll also engage with significant global debates and values underpinning the nature and role of education in society, develop critical and reflective thinking skills, and gain the knowledge and tools needed to pursue various career paths within the field of education with a specific focus on Primary teaching.

Careers

You’ll develop your understanding of the complex body of knowledge and skills relating to the education, development and care of children and young people across a range of formal and informal settings. Some of this will be at the current boundaries of educational research and practice.

You'll also take part in live briefs to gain work experience and extend your professional network, like our recent partnership with Chelmsford Museum, Fitzwilliam Museum, and Scott Polar Museum.

What can you do with a Primary Education Studies degree?

Throughout your studies, you’ll develop analytical techniques and problem-solving skills that can be applied to the professions associated with the education, development and care of children and young people in a range of settings. You’ll be able to evaluate and reflect on evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach measured judgements and communicate them effectively.

After graduating you’ll have the qualities needed for employment in a range of professional contexts associated with the education, development and care of children, young people and adults.

You might also want to continue on to a Masters course, such as one of our MA Education degrees, which include options to specialise in leadership and management, SEND, and Montessori settings, or our PGCE. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship to get 20% off your fees.

Year 1 Core modules: Key Paradigms 1: History and Philosophy of Primary Education; Perspectives on the Child 1: Childhood as a Construct - Physical and Social Development of Children; Primary Pedagogy 1: The Curriculum and Primary Teaching, Research Foundations; Subject Knowledge for Teaching 1: Early Language, Reading and Writing and Early Mathematical Concepts; Subject Knowledge for Teaching 1: Science and Technology 1. Year 2 Core modules: Key Paradigms 2: Sociology and Politics; Primary Pedagogy 2: Creativity, Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods; Perspectives on the Child 2: Childhood Cognitive and Language Development; Subject Knowledge for Teaching 2: English and Mathematics 2; Ruskin Module; Year 3 Core modules: Key Paradigms 3: International and Global Perspectives in Education; Perspectives on the Child 3: Inclusion, SEND and Developmental Difficulties; Primary Pedagogy 3: Contemporary Issues in Education, Specialist Focus Project; Subject Knowledge for Teaching 3: The Wider Curriculum; Key Skills for Effective Primary Teaching. Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location.

Your progress will be assessed using many different methods, including poster presentations, group presentations, essays, reflective logs or commentaries, reports, and your Specialist Focus Project (dissertation by literature review). You'll also have opportunities for informal (formative assessment) to give you the necessary support and opportunities to be an active learner and make contributions to our learning community in lectures, seminars or online groups. Your tutors will monitor individual, group and cohort learning in order to personalise teaching approaches so that you learn in the way that is most suited to you.