Open University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Ready for a career supporting and shaping young minds? Start your journey towards becoming a primary school teacher or other fulfilling roles within education through our practice-focused primary education studies degree. You’ll learn what it takes to educate, support and inspire children from ages 3 to 12 in a range of settings within schools and beyond. It’s not essential to be working in a school to study this course. Whether you’re already working or volunteering in education or looking at a future career, you’ll gain the skills and expertise to make a lasting difference as you inspire the next generation. Key features of the course
- Develop your understanding of the key themes, practice and policies of primary education
- Explore wider topics including child development, child psychology and youth studies
- Ideal for people working, volunteering or looking to work in schools, the community or wider education settings
- Provides a solid foundation for a range of careers or future study such as teacher training
- Designed to fit around work commitments with no exams and dedicated time to prepare assessments
Modules
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 four 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.
How to apply
To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
There are no qualification requirements for this course.
You do not need to be employed in a primary school in order to study this qualification. However students not working or volunteering in school on a regular basis are advised to negotiate opportunities to spend some time in a formal educational setting for children aged 3-12 (for example in a voluntary capacity) to observe teaching and learning and gain exposure to a practice context. It is suggested that students spend 10 days in school during each stage of the degree. It is your responsibility – not the OU’s - to ensure that you obtain the necessary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (or equivalent if not working in England) for the setting and country in which you’re working. You should contact the relevant agency in your country for more information if you are in any doubt about your eligibility or to find out more.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/education/degrees/ba-education-studies-primary-q94#entry-requirements
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £23352 | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £21996 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £7632 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £7440 | Whole course |
| Wales | £7872 | Whole course |
| EU | £24552 | Whole course |
| International | £24552 | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £24552 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fee information is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually.
Provider information
Open University
Student Recruitment Team
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ