Two young schoolchildren looking through a microscope at a plant in a garden
BA (Hons)

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 date
September 2026
Location
Cambridge Chelmsford Peterborough
UCAS course code
XX12
Duration
3 years

You have the option to study this course as an accelerated degree over two years, starting in September. You’ll study the same modules as students taking the standard BA (Hons) degree on your chosen campus, but sometimes in different years and/or in a different order.

1st

in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.

Source: GOS 2025

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.

  • A trainee teacher talking to a little girl as she plays with a pink toy house in a replica classroom

    Hear from ARU students about feeling supported, gaining confidence, and finding a path in Education that genuinely changes lives – including their own.

Why ARU?

  • Join the only new accredited university provider of teacher training in the UK.

  • Study at a university ranked 13th in the country for Education in the Guardian League Table 2025.

  • Develop your understanding of primary education and gain versatile knowledge and skills.

  • Choose to study over two or three years, with both face-to-face and hybrid learning options available.

  • Take part in Live Briefs to gain work experience and build your network.

  • Study at a university with over 20 years’ experience of training education professionals.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold award logo
   

Study at an award-winning university

We've received a Gold award for the quality of our education in a UK-wide review of teaching standards. We were also proud to be named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023.

Careers

Headshot of Education student Lisa in a classroom

It's opened my eyes to the wealth of educational research, all the policies. I can take that into the classroom and actually understand what I'm teaching the children.

Lisa, BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies

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.

  • A Primary Education Studies student talking to camera

    Why study on our accelerated Primary Education Studies degree?

  • Three Primary Education Studies students talking together around a classroom table

    "They're invested in us as students" – hear why our students love our course.

  • Angie Gray standing in classroom, smiling, with arms folded

    Angie hopes to work as a educational psychologist or speech language therapist. Read Angie's Spotlight interview and find out why she chose our course.

  • Video still of Primary Education Studies student Lisa

    "It’s opened my eyes to the wealth of educational research, all the policies. I can take that into the classroom and actually understand what I’m teaching the children." Hear how Lisa kickstarted her teaching journey with our accelerated degree.

  • Primary Education Studies student Charley sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her

    What are the learning resources like on our degree?

  • Primary Education Studies graduate Abi holding open and looking at a picturebook about dragons

    "I immediately noticed how welcoming and inclusive the atmosphere was. The staff and lecturers were incredibly kind, and more than happy to answer any questions." Read Abi's Spotlight interview.

  • Primary Education Studies student Charley sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her

    Why choose our accelerated Primary Education Studies degree?

  • Primary Education Studies student Freya sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her

    What will you study on our degree?

  • Primary Education Studies student Ellen sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her

    How will you prepare for your career on our degree?

  • Primary Education Studies student Freya sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her

    What other opportunities can you find at ARU?

  • Primary Education Studies student Ellen sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her

    How will the staff on our degree support you?

  • A student holding up a picturebook as if reading to a class

    Fast-track your education with an ARU accelerated degree

  • Students with staff outside Holy Angel School

    Students from our course travelled to Holy Angel School in Tehatta, India, for some valuable work experience. Find out more.

  • Gemma and Erika discuss their experience of beginning the Live Brief

    Gemma and Erika talk about working with Chelmsford Museum, Fitzwilliam Museum, and Scott Polar Museum to design lessons for primary school children.

  • Three Primary Education Studies students talking together while sat on chairs

    Our Primary Education Studies students, Kieran and Rachel, share their experiences and reflect on the best parts of their degree.

  • A Primary Education Studies student talking to camera
  • Three Primary Education Studies students talking together around a classroom table
  • Angie Gray standing in classroom, smiling, with arms folded
  • Video still of Primary Education Studies student Lisa
  • Primary Education Studies student Charley sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies graduate Abi holding open and looking at a picturebook about dragons
  • Primary Education Studies student Charley sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies student Freya sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies student Ellen sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies student Freya sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies student Ellen sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • A student holding up a picturebook as if reading to a class
  • Students with staff outside Holy Angel School
  • Gemma and Erika discuss their experience of beginning the Live Brief
  • Three Primary Education Studies students talking together while sat on chairs
  • A Primary Education Studies student talking to camera
  • Three Primary Education Studies students talking together around a classroom table
  • Angie Gray standing in classroom, smiling, with arms folded
  • Video still of Primary Education Studies student Lisa
  • Primary Education Studies student Charley sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies graduate Abi holding open and looking at a picturebook about dragons
  • Primary Education Studies student Charley sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies student Freya sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies student Ellen sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies student Freya sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • Primary Education Studies student Ellen sitting in classroom with book on desk in front of her
  • A student holding up a picturebook as if reading to a class
  • Students with staff outside Holy Angel School
  • Gemma and Erika discuss their experience of beginning the Live Brief
  • Three Primary Education Studies students talking together while sat on chairs

Teaching and modules

You'll be supported every step of the way as you think and explore the fantastic world of primary education.

Drew Quayle, Senior Lecturer

At levels 4 and 5, 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.

At Level 6, 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.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

3 years
Year 1 Cambridge, Chelmsford
  • English and the Arts in Primary Education
  • Journey Through Life: Stages of Human Development
  • Safeguarding and Wellbeing
  • Research Foundations
  • The Power of Connection: Building Strong Educational Relationships
  • Into ARU
Year 2 Cambridge, Chelmsford
  • STEM Pedagogy and Classroom Practice
  • Equity in Education: Understanding Identity and Social Justice
  • Learning Theories in Education
  • Educational Research Methods
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Year 3 Cambridge, Chelmsford
  • Creative and Sustainable Pedagogies in Primary Humanities
  • Neurodiversity and Inclusion: Strategies for Effective Learning
  • Education in the Digital Age: Policy, Theory and Global Trends
  • Leadership and Enterprise
  • Undergraduate Major Project
Module details
3 years Peterborough
Year 1 Peterborough
  • 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
  • Into ARU
Year 2 Peterborough
  • 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 (15 credits)
Year 3 Peterborough
  • 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
Module details

You have the option to study this course as an accelerated degree over two years, starting in September. You’ll study the same modules as students taking the standard BA (Hons) degree on your chosen campus, but sometimes in different years and/or in a different order.

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

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.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Apply for Primary Education Studies

UK students

Apply through UCAS

International students

Apply online
Want to talk to someone?
Contact our Admissions team Talk to a student

Related courses

BA (Hons)
Education with Sustainability
BEd (Hons)
Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)