Primary Education 3-7 with QTS

A Brighton Primary Education (3–7 years) degree prepares you to teach children from foundation to Key Stage 1, where you’ll play a central role in developing their love for reading, writing and numeracy as well as supporting their social, emotional and physical development.

This course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – the professional qualification for teachers – enabling you to teach in schools in England. Brighton is graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for its primary initial teacher education, with the report stating that ‘the quality of education and training in the primary phase is exceptional’. In the National Student Survey 2025, teacher training at Brighton is ranked 5th in the UK for teaching.

You’ll be part of a community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. You’ll gain professional hands-on experience through school placements in each year of the degree, with opportunities in large, small, urban and rural settings. You’ll also develop your skills, knowledge and confidence at university in our specialist facilities, labs and classrooms. Our inclusive approach to learning will help you go further; we’ll make sure you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.

Brighton teaching graduates are highly sought after and known for their creative and innovative approaches to teaching – they benefit from excellent employment rates that are consistently above the sector average. We also offer support after you qualify through our ECT programme to help you develop and thrive in your early career.

Top reasons to choose this course

• You’ll train to teach with an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ provider.

• School placements in each year of the degree build your skills and confidence.

• You will gain a knowledge and understanding of the full primary curriculum, with option modules to develop your expertise in the subjects that interest you most.

• You’ll learn with a team who have all been teachers themselves.

• Learn in specialist classrooms that replicate those used in schools as well as our curriculum centre with its 30,000 resources for student teachers.

• Our teaching graduates benefit from excellent employment rates that are consistently above the sector average.

• There are no written exams.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Primary Education
Brighton is less than an hour from central London and has been named one of the 50 best cities in the world and the happiest city in the UK by Time Out.

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll explore how children learn and develop, gaining insights into key educational theories and practices across subjects like English, maths, science and computing. You’ll begin building your confidence in the classroom through school-based training, where you'll apply your learning and start developing your professional teaching identity. Alongside this, you’ll discover how to plan and teach a broad curriculum, including the foundation subjects, all within the context of current educational policy and inclusive practice.

Core modules
Education Studies: How Children Learn
English and Language Acquisition
Exploring Learning and Teaching in Mathematics and Computing
Teaching Primary Science
Introducing the Foundation Subjects
School-based Training 1

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll continue developing your teaching practice through school-based training, while deepening your understanding of inclusive education and how to support diverse learners. Core modules will strengthen your subject knowledge in English, maths, science and the foundation subjects, with a focus on creative curriculum design and effective assessment. You’ll also choose from a range of option modules – such as PE, PSHE, art and design, history and geography or storytelling – so you can tailor your learning to your interests and build expertise in the areas you’re passionate about.

Core modules
Education Studies: Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment
Teaching English, Principled Practice and Current Policy
Deepening Subject and Pedagogic Knowledge to Impact on Children's Mathematical Understanding
Curriculum Design and Enhanced Practice in Foundation Subjects and RE
School-based Training 2

Options*
Developing Expertise in Primary Physical Education
Developing Expertise in Primary Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
Science, Scientists and Working Scientifically
Developing Expertise in Teaching and Learning in Art and Design
Story: How we use Language to Imagine, Entertain and Understand
Developing Curriculum Expertise in Primary History and Geography
Developing Mathematical Thinking

Final year
In your final year, you’ll take on greater responsibility in the classroom through your third school-based training and develop the confidence and autonomy needed for your teaching career. You’ll carry out a personal research project, explore contemporary curriculum developments and reflect on your educational philosophy and professional growth. You’ll also choose from a wide range of option modules – such as computing, English, science beyond the classroom, art and design, outdoor learning or citizenship and RE – so you can specialise in areas that inspire you to shape your future teaching practice.

Core modules
School Based Training 3
Individual Professional Project
Contemporary Curriculum Studies and Professional Development
Education Studies: Leading Children's Learning

Options*
Teaching Primary Computing
Contemporary Developments, Theories and Practices in Primary English
Creative Curriculum Design in History or Geography
Processes and Practice: Developing a Rationale for Art, Craft and Design in the Primary Classroom
Contemporary Issues in the Teaching and Learning of Primary Mathematics
OAA and Swimming and Water Safety
Developing Expertise in Citizenship Education and Religious Education
Science Beyond the Classroom

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

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:

• Primary