Course summary

Why study this course? This top-up degree is designed for students who have completed a foundation degree in an education related subject. You will enter into the third year of study for the BA Hons Studies in Primary Education degree, enabling you to ‘top-up’ your foundation degree to achieve a full undergraduate BA honours degree. Our hugely popular course draws upon psychology, sociology and philosophy to take an applied approach to understanding how we can improve the education system and make positive change in the world. You will work alongside inspiring academics and supportive students to develop your critical thinking, communication, creativity whilst forming lifelong friendships through engagement in collaborative projects exploring how we can develop the education system to address the challenges of the 21st century. What does the course cover? You will examine education systems in the UK and abroad, to give you an international perspective on primary education. You will explore alternative approaches to education, as well as the increasing role of technology in learning and teaching. You will also undertake a dissertation around an area of education that you are passionate about, and you will have the opportunity to carry out your own research and data analysis. How will I be assessed? In Studies in Primary Education, we don’t believe in high-stakes exams. Instead, we believe that assessment should be a supportive and holistic experience. Consequently, we have a range of assessments potentially including: • written coursework assignments • portfolios • poster presentations • group/syndicate presentations • individual presentations • podcasts • collaborative investigation • Web-based publications You will be provided with tutorials and feedback to support you in developing your academic and professional skills. What careers can I consider? Many of our students go on to complete their PGCE year and gain QTS and find that this degree gives them a solid foundation with the necessary transferable skills to be a successful teacher. However, due to the wide-ranging academic nature of the degree other students have gone on to find roles in a variety of education positions including becoming SENDCos, ELSAs, higher level teaching assistants, and even working in Further Education, hospitals, prisons, youth and social work. When you finish the programme you are guaranteed an interview for a primary teacher-training PGCE at Newman.