BA (Hons) Education and Primary Studies

Entry year:
2025/26
Start date:
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
3 years
Campus:
Mount Pleasant
UCAS Code:
XL30
Grades/points required:
BCC - BBB (104 - 120)

Why study this course with LJMU?

  • Stepping stone to a wide range of careers which focus on supporting children and families during primary phase education, including teaching, social care, health and childcare
  • 94% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on our education courses were good at explaining things (NSS 2024)
  • Extensive work-related learning opportunities
  • Explore the sociological, historical, political, psychological and philosophical issues that impact on the lives and learning of young children
  • Tailor your studies to your own interests through optional modules
  • Graduate with a solid foundation for a child-centred career
  • You are able to apply for a PGCE course, if you meet the entry requirements, which you would complete once you have graduated from this course. Completion of a PGCE would enable you to become a teacher. If you are looking for an undergraduate teacher training course now, we offer BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS.

About your course

By completing the BA (Hons) Education and Primary Studies at Liverpool John Moores University you will be able to significantly contribute to children's future development and educational attainment.

Children's future development and educational attainment depends on high quality provision and experiences during primary phase education. This course explores recent initiatives and the influence of historical and key primary phase pioneers on current practice. You will also examine how young children develop and learn and explore both national and international approaches to primary provision, policy and practice.

The course brings together all aspects of education such as the effects of poverty and social exclusion, and curriculum development. The needs and rights of children, and your moral and professional role in working with them, will form the foundation of your professional development and academic studies.

You will study education it its broadest sense, drawing on aspects of sociology, history, politics, psychology and philosophy to give you an understanding of current educational thinking and practice. We signpost you to appropriate volunteer opportunities and activities in schools and other placements, so that you can gain the experience and practice you need before embarking on further training, study or a career.

We have several international links, and there are opportunities to visit other countries and also undertake a work-related placement overseas.

You will be able to tailor your studies to your own interests through option modules, research and work-related practice. Not only will you graduate with a solid foundation for a child-centred career, you will also gain key transferable skills, such as interpersonal, oral and written skills that are so crucial in the workplace today

Additional course costs

There are no costs for off site day trips embedded into core and option modules. Optional international placements will have a cost attached.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

Core modules

Optional modules

Core modules

Optional modules

Your Learning Experience

Excellent facilities and learning resources

The course aims to produce graduates who are able to think in a critical and analytical manner, reflecting upon issues that relate to education and community issues in the widest context. The course is designed to develop the transferable skills that will allow you to operate creatively in an increasingly complex world.

It is this ability, coupled with the transferable skills that are taught, such as the ability to evaluate and analyse information, 'people skills', computer literacy, oral and written skills and the ability to work effectively in demanding contexts, that make our graduates highly employable.

Teaching on the course is via a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, use of ICT, placement experience, online activities and independent learning.

Work-related Learning

The course has a strong element of work-related learning and you will have plenty of opportunities to look at practice in a wide variety of education and/or early years settings. You might also want to get an international perspective on your future career through work experience abroad or you could practice your teaching skills and get a feel for teaching during planned programme experiences or as voluntary activity.

Work experience is a vital element of your studies as it gives you a chance to put into practice what you have learnt during the course, and gain new skills as well. It will also add real value to your CV, giving you a head start when you come to negotiate your way around the competitive job market.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will help and support you in your academic and personal progress throughout the course. This kind of one-to-one support is particularly useful for discussing course-related issues or concerns you may have during your studies.

Library Services teams also offer a fantastic range of support and guidance services, including online help guides, online chat facility and on-site help.

Our dedicated Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW) team provide a wide range of services including accommodation advice, disability support, counselling and money matters.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

We recognise that all students perform differently depending on how they are being assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. Coursework may therefore include essays, reports, presentations, newspapers, posters, diaries and a dissertation. Exams are limited to the main core modules.

Constructive feedback is important in helping you to identify your strengths and areas where you may need to put in more work, so this will be provided regularly as you progress through each module.

90%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for courses in Education and teaching at Liverpool John Moores University

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

link opens in new tab

Where you will study

Based in the Education Building in the heart of the Mount Pleasant campus, the School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities and a nearby outdoor learning. Students also benefit from independent study spaces, a close-by cafeteria and library, and access to student welfare and support.

Course tutors

  1. 1
  2. 2

The course's strengths are the diverse range of topics covered, as well as the broad range of career options it ultimately gives you. I have now got a clear idea of the career path I hope to follow.

Career paths

However, if you choose to base your career on your primary phase specialism, there are openings within centres and community groups that focus on the needs of young children and their families.

Alternatively, your degree could lead to any number of careers such as in educational management, private nursery management, educational social work or any of the caring professions that involve young children.

The roles and career areas below represent just some of the many different pathways you could take with a BA (Hons) in Education and Primary Studies:

  • Primary school teacher (upon completion of a PGDE/PGCE teacher training qualification)
  • Learning support/mentor
  • SEN and Inclusion
  • Education administration
  • Education management
  • Central and local government careers
  • Policy Worker
  • Family support and social work roles
  • Community education officer
  • Youth and community work
  • Social care roles
  • Education Researcher
  • Education/Children's publishing
  • English as a foreign language teacher
  • Further education tutor
  • Drama and sports education roles
  • Digital learning
  • Education and training in the public, charitable and voluntary sector e.g. Police, probation service, housing and refugee support agencies
  • Employment and Enterprise Adviser

Postgraduate Teacher Training

LJMU graduates who meet the entry criteria are guaranteed an interview for your chosen PGCE course.

Our PGCEs carry Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), so after successfully completing the one-year course, you will be qualified to teach the age range of students covered in your programme.

As well as our Core PGCE courses, we also offer school-led training programmes with our partner schools across the North West.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Tuition fees and funding

Full-time per year:
£9,535

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.

Financial Support

The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:

  • Accommodation
  • Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
  • Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications: BCC - BBB (104 - 120)

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

Qualification requirements

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.

A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service - formerly CRB) will be required after you start the course for placements that involve working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

Your university life

From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.

Talk to our students

Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.

See what our students are saying

At LJMU we want you to know you're making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:

The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.