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.
Start dates vary by location. To see start dates for each location, check the apply pages.
You can choose to study this course over three years full-time at ARU Peterborough. You'll take the same modules as BA (Hons) students who are studying over two years in Peterborough, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
in the country for the number of graduates going into paid employment or further study.
Source: GOS
Whether you want to start or advance a career in primary education, or work in an adjacent field, you’ll study education history, policy and the way children are taught today, as well as the core subjects: reading, writing, maths and science.
You’ll also explore related areas such as health, welfare, child psychology and children’s rights, gain an insight into special educational needs provision, and observe teaching in local schools.
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Fast-track your education with an ARU accelerated degree
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Join the only new accredited university provider of teacher training in the UK.
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Study at a university ranked 13th in the country for Education in the Guardian League Table 2025.
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Develop your understanding of primary education and gain versatile knowledge and skills.
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Explore teaching approaches and how to make adjustments to suit different learners.
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Take part in Live Briefs to gain work experience and build your network.
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Study at a university with over 20 years’ experience of training education professionals.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
The ARU syllabus… was an excellent combination of key pedagogy (how we teach) alongside looking at why we teach what we do now.
Our BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies is the first step on your career path to working with primary-aged children and their families.
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.
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Gemma and Erika talk about working with Chelmsford Museum, Fitzwilliam Museum, and Scott Polar Museum to design lessons for primary school children.
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Our Primary Education Studies students, Kieran and Rachel, share their experiences and reflect on the best parts of their degree.
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“The ARU syllabus really piqued my interest. It was an excellent combination of key pedagogy (how to teach) alongside looking at why we teach what we do now – and why this changes.” Read Katrina's blog.
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Teaching and modules
In years 1 and 2, we’ll explore the history of, and current issues affecting education. We’ll also look at core subject areas and ways of engaging children with a range of abilities and needs as a teacher.
In Year 3, we’ll focus on sustainability and its intersection with subjects such as arts and drama, design and technology, PE, music, and modern foreign languages. You’ll also study special educational needs and disability (SEND), inclusion and common developmental difficulties, and complete an independent research project on a relevant topic of your choice.
You have the option to study this course as an accelerated degree over two years, either on campus or by blended learning (largely remote, with some face-to-face teaching sessions in Chelmsford).
- Journey Through Life: Stages of Human Development
- English and the Arts in Primary Education
- Safeguarding and Wellbeing
- Research Foundations
- The Power of Connection: Building Strong Educational Relationships
- Learning Theories in Education
- Educational Research Methods
- STEM Pedagogy and Classroom Practice
- STEM Pedagogy and Classroom Practice
- Equity in Education: Understanding Identity and Social Justice
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Undergraduate Major Project
- Education in the Digital Age: Policy, Theory and Global Trends
- Leadership and Enterprise
- Creative and Sustainable Pedagogies in Primary Humanities
- Neurodiversity and Inclusion: Strategies for Effective Learning
- 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
- Perspectives on the Child 2: Childhood Cognitive and Language Development
- Subject Knowledge for Teaching 2: English and Mathematics 2
- Into ARU
- Primary Pedagogy 2: Creativity, Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
- Key Paradigms 2: Sociology and Politics
- Subject Knowledge for Teaching 3: The Wider Curriculum
- Key Skills for Effective Primary Teaching
- Primary Pedagogy 3: Contemporary Issues in Education, Specialist Focus Project
- Perspectives on the Child 3: Inclusion, SEND and Developmental Difficulties
- Key Paradigms 3: International and Global Perspectives in Education
- Ruskin Module (15 credits) *
You can choose to study this course over three years full-time at ARU Peterborough. You'll take the same modules as BA (Hons) students who are studying over two years in Peterborough, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Paula DainesDeputy Head of School
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Drew QuayleSenior Lecturer
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Dean BarberSenior Lecturer Practitioner
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Natalie CombesSenior Lecturer Practitioner
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Dr Elsa LeeSenior Lecturer
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Benjamin MaddisonSenior Lecturer
Facilities
Our Early Childhood Resource and Research Room is packed with toys, games and equipment including Montessori didactic apparatus (specialist learning toys) where you’ll be able to experience a child’s eye view of the world.
We know that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. As a Primary Education Studies student at ARU you:
- benefit from our network of primary schools
- have a chance to observe teaching in primary schools
- make connections between theory and practice by being actively encouraged to spend time in schools within our networks
- create lesson plans and activities for children.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for Primary Education Studies
UK students
Call our Clearing line
01245 686868
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