BA (Hons) Primary Education
A three-year, online course designed for teaching assistants in schools in England who wish to become primary or prep school teachers.
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Find out moreAbout the course
This three-year BA degree course is designed for those working as teaching assistants in schools who wish to become primary or prep school teachers. To be a qualified teacher in England, you must have a degree and the most relevant degree to take is one in Education.
While the number of teachers in schools in England has remained steady over the past decade or so, the number of full-time equivalent TAs has more than trebled since 2000, from 79,000 to 262,800. Teaching assistants now comprise more than a quarter of the workforce in mainstream schools in England, rising to 35% in primary schools.
This degree has many significant advantages:
- It is designed to enable you to work in a paid job while taking the course.
- This is an online course, which enables you to do the work and complete tasks at times you can manage.
- The course materials are written by academics and leading primary school head teachers in England.
- The course is excellent value. Every student will need to find out whether their employer is happy to pay, or whether they will take a student loan.
- You will have your own University of Buckingham tutor, who will support you throughout the course.
- The degree course is integrated with your work because much of the study is based on you reflecting on your school and what happens there.
- For students living in England, the BA can be followed by the 12-month Qualified Teacher Status course at The University of Buckingham which is free of charge (at the time of writing) because it is paid, through your employer, by the apprenticeship levy. QTS is needed to teach in many schools in England.
In addition to your contracted hours of work, you should be able to commit approximately 10-12 hours per week to the necessary reading and writing for this course.
Part-time teaching assistants are welcome.
Overseas applicants should know that the course content is about primary schools in England only. You will not be eligible for the apprenticeship-funded QTS course but can apply for the International QTS course for which there is a fee.
There are a number of pathways into teaching and our work-based routes are creating opportunities for everyone at any stage of their career, including school leavers.
Why might a school-leaver consider this course?
- If you like your current school, you can stay there as you commence your studies.
- Very low cost compared to going away to university as you can live at home.
- You will achieve a degree that leads to a fulfilling and rewarding job.
- You can begin to earn money as soon as you leave school.
If my school is part of a multi-academy trust, can the trust be involved?
Yes, we are negotiating a partnership with several MATs who can offer jobs in their school and support their trainee teachers doing the BA degree.
Course Dates
In-person course induction: Monday 22 June 2026 at The University of Buckingham
Overseas students will take part in an online course induction on Wednesday 24 June 2026.
Course start date: Monday 22 June 2026
Course end date: July 2029
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Entry requirements
- You must be in employment in a primary school. Your school will need to write a letter supporting your application.
- You cannot have a university degree already.
- Two A-levels or other level 3 qualifications worth 32 UCAS points or equivalents, including a Foundation Degree (overseas qualifications must be checked through UK ENIC to show they are the same standard as British A-levels).
- It is not a requirement for the BA (Hons) in Primary Education, but to apply for a place on a QTS course in Primary, you must have GCSEs in English Language or Literature, Maths and Science at grade 4/C or above or equivalent.
- Complete a successful interview with a member of the Faculty of Education.
- It is not a requirement for the BA (Hons) in Primary Education but to apply for a place on a QTS course in Primary, you must have evidence of GCSEs in English, Maths and Science at a C grade/ Level 4 or above.
- Overseas applicants must have a good standard of written English and have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above or have completed some of their education in English.
- Sixth formers who are taking A-Levels may apply. Any offer made will be conditional.
Those who wish to apply for the BA Primary but who do not have two A-levels or other level 3 qualifications worth 32 UCAS points, or who wish to improve their academic writing skill, should take the 14-week academic writing course we offer, starting in September 2025 or January 2026. It will cost £480 including VAT. Those who do not have two A-levels will be assessed at the end of the course and will either be permitted to apply for the BA or not.
To register for this course you must apply though our partner, Anspear. For application deadlines, view the ‘Key Dates’ section on Anspear’s website.
Teaching and assessment
How will this online course be delivered?
You will access the online learning platform, provided by our partner company, Anspear. The course materials are clearly laid out in weekly chunks. You will work through the course material independently week-by-week and take part in a range of teaching and learning activities. Weekly course material can include watching short videos or listening to audio material as well as completing directed reading, making notes, taking short quizzes and completing research both in school via observations and discussion, and in independent study.
Students on this course receive a free Chromebook to ensure they can access the course without obstacles. Students will need to return the Chromebook if they do not complete the first module.
How will I be assessed on this course?
You will complete ten 30-credit modules and one longer 60-credit module over three years.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Child development 1 & Purposes of education | Barriers to learning & Behaviour and culture | Primary science & Assessment |
| School organisation & Quality education | Early Years & Oracy vocabulary and phonics | Embedding literacy & Embedding numeracy throughout the curriculum |
| Science of learning & Successful learners | Literacy & Numeracy | Action Research Project module |
| Play and child development & Creativity | Foundation subjects and statutory RE | Action Research Project module |
As well as low stakes quizzing to check understanding throughout each module, there are also assessed assignments to submit. Assignments will include reflective journal writing, academic comprehensions tasks, essays and an action research project in the final year of the degree.
Three assignments will be submitted for each module and will contribute to an overall module grade. All modules must be passed in order to progress to the next year of the degree.
After your course
If you live in England, after the BA you could proceed directly onto The University of Buckingham’s one-year apprenticeship-levy funded online teacher training course, which leads to Qualified Teacher Status. For this, there is no charge to you (unless the new government change regulations). If you do not live in England, you can take an alternative Qualified Teacher Training course with Buckingham for which there will be a fee.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
For information on fees, please contact baprim-EDU@buckingham.ac.uk
Applicants must pay a £300 non-refundable deposit which is then offset against your tuition fees when invoiced.
There is a limit to the numbers on this course so please apply well in advance of the application deadline.
Scholarships and bursaries
How to apply
Apply direct
Apply online from this page as the most flexible option.
Need help?
Contact the Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: education@buckingham.ac.uk
Some courses are limited in terms of numbers and we operate a first-come-first-served system. Applications can take at least 6 weeks to process. Please consider school holiday closures and ensure applications are submitted in good time to avoid disappointment.
Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button to view the application deadline and start your application.
If you have any questions you can contact The Faculty of Education by email: baprim-EDU@buckingham.ac.uk or by calling +44 (0)1280 820 222.