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BA (Hons)

Primary Initial Teacher Education with QTS: English-medium

This course is delivered through the medium of English and takes place in both university and primary school settings to provide authentic learning and teaching experiences.

How to apply Apply Through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to Us

Key Course Details

  • UCAS Code

    X121

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Newport

  • Campus Code

    C

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,535*

  • International students

    £16,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

The course focuses on the development of knowledge in the Areas of Learning and Experience, practical skills, wider skills and the professional competencies required to become a highly effective teacher.

DESIGNED FOR

Students with a passion for learning and teaching in the primary school age phase.

Career Paths

  • Teaching
  • Training or education roles in libraries, museums or private sector organisation

Skills taught

  • Teaching, influencing learners and advancing learning
  • Collaboration
  • Innovation
  • Leadership
  • Critical reflection, research and inquiry

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.

teacher looking at young pupil as she interacts with a digital whiteboard with stylus pen
Primary teaching lecturer with a student in a classroom setting.
The library setting based in the heart of Newport Campus.
USW student sat reading a large book to a pupil.

Course Highlights

Strong collaborative partnerships

You will have the opportunity to teach across a range of school settings and a range of age phases so that you will be experienced and highly employable.

Supportive student teacher groups, regular tutorials and a high level of pastoral care

Support to build your confidence, understanding, skills and knowledge as you develop your own teacher identity.

Research-informed practice

You will learn to integrate theory, research and practical experience to inform your planning to meet the needs of all leaners.

Education at USW

is 2nd for Teaching Quality in the UK and top in Wales (Guardian University Guide 2025)

Module Overview

This Initial Teacher Education course will provide you with excellent personal and professional learning opportunities which aim to meet the needs of individual student teachers and learners in schools.  You will be supported to develop your Welsh language skills, to use Welsh confidently in the classroom and to develop your understanding of Welsh culture for the benefit of your learners.

Core Studies

This module develops your understanding of, and engagement with, research and theoretical inputs. It focuses on building an understanding of the education sector and its infrastructure and history in Wales, including the importance of the Welsh language, the impact of poverty and additional learning needs on learning, and the development and impact of a purposes-led curriculum.  This module will also develop your understanding of, and engagement with, research and theoretical inputs.

Professional and Pedagogical Studies

Across the three years, professional and pedagogical studies will provide you with the foundations for the development of the knowledge and skills of an effective teacher. This module will introduce you to the relevant professional and pedagogical topics and themes and develop your knowledge and understanding of effective classroom practice. 

Subject Studies A

The module will enable you to acquire and develop the skills for creative, effective delivery and assessment of experiential learning. You will develop understanding and skills in an integrated, holistic approach to curriculum subject design and development.

Subject Studies B

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of how to plan for authentic learning experiences with clear attention to the development of Cynefin. In addition, the importance of the development of literacy, numeracy, digital competence skills and Welsh language skills.

Professional Learning and Development

This module will support student teachers to become reflective, resilient, lifelong learners, purposefully engaged in professional learning and development. You will be supported with strategies to manage your own well-being and that of your learners.

  • Core Studies 2 
  • Professional and Pedagogical Studies 2
  • Subject Studies 2A
  • Subject Studies 2B 
  • Professionalism Learning and Development 2
  • Core Studies 3 
  • Professional and Pedagogical Studies 3 
  • Subject Studies 3A
  • Subject Studies 3B 
  • Professional Learning and Development 3

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

A blended learning approach is utilised to provide student teachers with a range of flexible learning opportunities and to highlight effective pedagogical principles through modelling the impact of a range of approaches.    

Lectures draw your attention to current research, curriculum reform and development and pedagogical approaches. Specific subject study practical sessions support student teachers to develop in the Areas of Learning and Experience. 

Tutorials provide opportunities for academic and school-based discussion and personal reflection. 

There are no examinations on this course. Assessment includes written coursework tasks, seminar presentations, projects and simulated learning using cutting-edge technology which is assessed by academic staff and school partners. Progress will be assessed each year towards the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership (2017) for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Teaching Staff

Our course team comprises dedicated, experienced professionals who will guide you on your journey to professional excellence. You will also be taught and supported by a range of experienced mentors in our partnership schools, based in South-east Wales.

Placements

You will undertake school experiences across the course where you will work with school mentors and university tutors to develop your teaching skills and make progress towards achieving or exceeding the requirements for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), as outlined in the Professional Standards for Teaching and Leadership. These experiences will be spent working with different age groups across a diverse range of primary school settings within Communities of Learning.  

In each block of school experience, student teachers teach, observed by a qualified member of school staff, their lecturer, or both. Teaching starts with small group teaching, or teaching of a short activity to larger groups, building to teaching whole lessons and then sequences of lessons. Student teachers meet weekly with mentors to discuss their own learning and to learn about wider school-related professional duties. 

Facilities

On campus, you will learn in an environment that fully prepares you for the world of work. We have specialist simulated primary school classrooms, outdoor learning spaces and digital spaces which will provide you with authentic learning environments. These learning spaces are designed to simulate the school environment, enabling you to develop confidence for the workplace in realistic settings. 

Our Initial Teacher Education course makes use of a range of technology. You will have access to the Hydra Minerva simulation suite where you will experience real-world situations, within a protected environment, and be involved in the discussion and resolution of scenarios that could occur in daily school life.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS Points: 112 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: BBC to exclude General Studies
  • Welsh BACC: Grade C and BB at A Level to exclude General Studies
  • BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit
  • Access to HE: 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits equating to 18 Distinctions, 24 Merits and 3 Passes.

 

Additional requirements include:

The University requires a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C to include Mathematics at grade C (Numeracy OR Mathematics in Wales), Science at grade C and Grade C (or equivalent) in either English Language, English Literature, Welsh Language or Welsh Literature. For those taking GCSEs in England, grade 4 is equivalent to a C.

If you do not have the GCSE grade C requirements in Mathematics, English Language and/or Science, but you hold a GCSE grade D, then you are able to gain equivalency of a grade C by successfully completing a module in Mathematics, English and/or Science. Further details can be found here: Equivalency GCSE Modules for English, Maths and Science.

You can view the accepted Equivalencies to GCSE English Language or Welsh Language and Mathematics C grade for entry to Initial Teacher Training Education here.

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on the Child Workforce and Child Barring List and subscription to the DBS Update Service is required. (Overseas equivalent required for non-uk applicants).

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,535

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,200

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

* Obligatory

 Students will be expected to pay for a DBS or certificate of good behaviour from their home country. The DBS fee includes £49.50 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee

Cost: £64.74

Subscription required for each year of the course for a yearly fee of £16. Please note the service has to be joined within 30 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate

Cost: £16

Travel to and from placement and any additional costs levied by placements.

Years 1, 2 & 3 - Cost is dependent on placement location and is an additional cost to be met by students.

Students may choose to undertake an optional 4-week international placement in their final year of study. This provides an immersive educational and cultural experience which assists with the acquisition of new skills and knowledge.

Cost varies

Careers and Employability

Graduate Careers

This Initial Teacher Education course has been co-constructed with school and regional school improvement consortia partners to reflect and address national education priorities and provide the market with highly desirable graduates who are equipped to meet the demands of the profession. We have a proven record of developing the highest standards of student teachers, many of whom have taken up posts at high-performing schools and have progressed into leadership roles. 

 

Upon graduation, you will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) which means that you will be qualified to teach in a primary school in a national or international setting. The majority of graduates secure teaching posts in Wales or England, but some graduates have been appointed in British international schools in countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, China and Kuwait.

Possible career paths

The majority of graduates secure teaching posts or careers that require an understanding of learning and teaching such as education roles in libraries, museums, private sector organisations.   

Careers Support

Careers support is provided by the experienced lecturers, school leaders and partners and the USW careers team. You will receive support with writing CVs, applications and with interview practice.

Why USW?

Primary teaching student Libby White reads a book to a primary school pupil in a classroom at Risca Primary School

  • 93% of our BA (Hons) Primary Initial Teacher Education with QTS Students Were Satisfied with their course (National Student Survey 2024).

  • Top in Wales for graduate prospects in Education (Complete University Guide 2023)

Why USW?

Top in Wales

Education at USW is 2nd for Teaching Quality in the UK and top in Wales.

(Guardian University Guide 2025)

  • 93% of our BA (Hons) Primary Initial Teacher Education with QTS Students Were Satisfied with their course (National Student Survey 2024).

  • Top in Wales for graduate prospects in Education (Complete University Guide 2023)

Life at USW

Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.

A student sat smiling and talking to friends off camera in Treforest Student's Union
Student Life
University of South Wales Newport Campus.
Newport Campus
A double room at our Pontypridd accommodation featuring a large window.
Accommodation

How to apply

All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)

Advanced entry

If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.

International admissions

International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
 

University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

Next Steps

How to apply
Apply Through UCAS
Book an Open Day
Chat to Us