Train for a challenging and rewarding career as a primary school teacher in an ‘outstanding’ (Ofsted, 2024) department.
Study our primary education degree with a professional qualification (QTS) to prepare for a fulfilling career in the classroom, inspiring future generations.
We will train you to teach five to 11-year-olds in both secular and religious schools. We offer special provision for those intending to teach in Roman Catholic schools.
You can also study our programme in North Wales. We are partnered with Wrexham Glyndŵr, who offer teaching placements in both English and Welsh schools.
School Experience in every year of your course
You will spend at least seven weeks each year in a primary school working alongside expert colleagues in a range of year groups. You will start working with small groups and will progress to planning for and teaching whole classes.
We will organise these school placements for you in one of our partnership schools to ensure you receive the appropriate levels of support.
Learn from devoted tutors in a supportive environment
Our students praise our teaching and support: "I felt valued and respected by all staff from the outset of my course. [...] Thanks to the staff, I have the skills and enthusiasm after their support, teaching, and advice to embark on my new career as a teacher."
Another student shared, "Staff have been supportive, kind, and have enabled me to continue this course by constantly encouraging me and helping me when I have needed it."
Additionally, students comment that our lectures are engaging, "absolutely fantastic and made learning really fun".
Our students also note that our primary education course is "creative and accessible for all people regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, disability, or race".
- Ofsted graded St Mary’s ‘outstanding’ in all areas of teacher training in 2024. In fact, we've retained this status since 2011.
- We've achieved a 96% teaching satisfaction rate (National Student Survey (NSS), 2024).
- We've scored 95% satisfaction for learning opportunities (NSS, 2024).
- We've also earned 93% satisfaction for academic support (NSS, 2024).
About the Foundation Year
Our four-year degree programmes (including a foundation year) provide an alternative route to undergraduate study at university if you do not have the grades to access higher education in the traditional way.
This programme gives you the opportunity to study on a foundation year as a route toward Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The Foundation Year will help you to become a confident presenter, improve your written and numerical skills and give you a broad understanding of the sociological perspectives of Education.
Please note: you will need to pass an interview process and obtain a DBS and fitness to teach check in order to progress on to the full undergraduate programme.
Kath Ezzeldin
Programme Lead – BA ITT Primary
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Course content
Modules
Course content is carefully designed to meet the requirements of the Initial Teacher Training Core Content Framework (ITTCCF) and is underpinned by research-informed practice.
Most of our modules are core. The optional modules listed will be available to students from 2023/24.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
We are committed to recruiting trainee teachers who have the 'ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.' The interview process will cover the suitability of applicants to work with children and young people.
On successful completion of the Education Foundation Year pathway you will need to pass an interview process and obtain a DBS and fitness to teach check in order to progress on to the undergraduate programme.
We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:
- subjects studied at Level 3
- your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
- non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
- your references and motivation.
72 - 48
UCAS points
Interview
You need to attend and pass an interview. This is a government requirement for a QTS course. As a default, the interview will be held in person on campus.
If you are an international student or cannot travel to campus, this can be discussed with the Admissions and Recruitment team.
Fitness to teach and DBS check
Successful completion of a physical and mental fitness to teach and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with barred lists, which shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role are required.
Fundamental skills in English and numeracy
Teacher training providers are responsible for assuring trainee teachers have met an appropriate level of skills in numeracy and English.
At St Mary's University you must demonstrate you are competent in English and mathematics by the end of your teacher training programme. This is part of the recommendation for QTS. We will ensure that you have opportunities to develop and consolidate these skills during the programme.
BA Primary Education with QTS (with a Foundation Year)
We offer this programme with a foundation year, providing you with an alternative route onto this degree if you don’t have the grades to join the BA course. For this course, you will need between 48 – 72 UCAS points. On successful completion of the foundation year and an interview, you are able to progress onto the full undergraduate degree.
Equality Act 2010
St Mary's is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and nurturing an inclusive and diverse student population. As such, we welcome applications from all those interested in pursuing an academic programme of study. Throughout the application process and while a student is enrolled at St Mary's, we will ensure that individuals will not be discriminated against based on any of the characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010.
UCAS Personal statement support
Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
Home
£9,250
International
£17,100
*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.
Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.
Additional costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.
Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Scholarships
Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .
Living costs
A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.
Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.
How the degree is taught
Teaching methods
You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.
Please note: contact time includes 14% of guided learning, and 22% of placement.
Teaching takes place in purpose-built classrooms that mirror those found in primary schools. Tutors model good practice in the use of technology and use lectures, seminars, and workshops to stimulate and encourage you to become reflective practitioners.
Class sizes are usually around 25 students.
Assessment methods
You will be assessed through essays, rationales, portfolios, lesson plans, presentations, resource innovation and a research project. School experience is assessed against the government’s Teachers’ Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.
Feedback
We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.
Career opportunities
St Mary’s graduates are very successful in securing teaching appointments at the end of their studies. Many take up employment in one of our partnership schools and go on to inspire and mentor students who follow them through St Mary’s.
Some students return to study one of our master's degrees in education.
The Careers Service (careers@stmarys.ac.uk) has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to Primary Education students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.
More from St Mary's
Thinking about whether St Mary's is the right place for you? Come and visit it us on campus.
Find out more about the extensive support system available to you at St Mary’s.
Discover the many areas in which our academies are currently researching.
Discover what life is like on our London campus.