BA (Honours) in Education Studies (Primary) Open University

Are you interested in the education of children aged between 3 and 12? Are you thinking about pursuing a career within education or becoming a primary school teacher? This degree will give you a sound foundation for further study relevant to a range of roles within education. You'll develop your understanding of policy and practice in primary education, and gain the knowledge and skills needed to work collaboratively and equitably in a range of settings.

Key features of the course

• Practice-focused for professional learning about primary school education
• Suitable for people working, volunteering or seeking to work in schools or in the wider education sector, cultural institutions and NGOs
• Supports theory and evidence-based practise and professional development
• Enables collaboration with other students and debate on topics in education

Please note this course does not provide Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). For more details see the Careers section.

We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Education Studies (Primary) (W54) that is the same in structure as the first two-thirds of this degree; similarly, our Certificate of Higher Education in Education Studies (Primary) (T29) corresponds to the first third.

Accessibility

We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The BA (Honours) in Education Studies (Primary) uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:

• studying online – some modules have a mixture of printed and online material, and others are entirely online. Online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
• face-to-face tutorials/day schools/workshops and/or online tutorials
• using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
• working in a group with other students
• using and/or producing diagrams and/or screenshots
• practical work
• finding external/third party material online
• using technology for research purposes involving access to catalogues and databases online
• continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays and short answer questions
• using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance
• engagement with learning and assessment within a pre-determined schedule or timetable – time management will be needed during your studies and the University will help you to develop these skills throughout your degree

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Course details

This qualification has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• In Stage 1, you’ll study two modules that will provide you with a broad introduction to primary education, childhood studies and child psychology.
• Then, in Stage 2, you’ll study a module that further develops your subject knowledge of the primary curriculum. You’ll follow this with one from a choice of three options.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll complete your degree with two further modules – one that includes a comparative study of primary education in local, national and international contexts; and one that introduces you to the methods used, and the issues encountered, in research with children and young people.