BA Hons Primary Education at University of Strathclyde

Study with us

• undertake work placements with children and young people from 0 to 14 years
• study on a programme designed to meet the recommendations of the 2010 Donaldson report, Teaching Scotland’s Future
• the programme meets the requirement for provisional registration by the General Teaching Council for Scotland
• take advantage of Gaelic-medium placement options

Why this course?

At Strathclyde, we're very proud of our long tradition of initial teacher education.

Our staff, who work closely with education authorities, are here to help you make a difference in the schools and communities in which you'll go on to work.

Primary Education is an exciting degree programme designed to meet the recommendations of the 2010 Donaldson Report, Teaching Scotland’s Future. This course will allow students to study Primary Education along with other subjects in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and to work with a wide variety of students throughout their four-year programme.

A career in Primary Education is challenging and very rewarding. Primary teachers are faced each day with complex and demanding tasks. Teachers develop, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of study in all curricular areas (Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing, Languages, Literacy and English, Mathematics, Religious and Moral Education, Physical Education, Sciences, Social Studies and Technologies). They promote the social and personal development of all children, working with parents and fellow professionals both within and outwith the school.

Learning & teaching

Alongside traditional lectures and tutorials, our learning methods include:

• workshops
• field trips
• elective and optional classes
• placements

Professional development is an important aspect of the work of all teachers in Scotland. Our students have many opportunities to participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) beyond their core classes and have the opportunity to develop and lead their own CPD projects.

Education students currently work with educators across the course, across Scotland, across the UK and across the globe to provide the very best CPD for their peers. This culture of student-led professional development for education students has been described as ‘sector leading’ by our external stakeholders.

Careers

Most of our graduates go on to work as primary school teachers, working for the social and personal development of their pupils. A primary school teacher develops, plans, implements and evaluates teaching programmes in all areas of the curriculum. The role also involves working with parents and fellow professionals within and outwith the school.

Many graduates from Strathclyde also enjoy the benefits of the Scottish Government’s Teacher Induction Scheme, where they have a guaranteed one-year induction period in a Scottish primary school. While the BA (Hons) Primary Education course is directed mainly to the Scottish education system, the qualification is widely recognised in the rest of the UK, Ireland and in schools across the globe.

Teachers who work in Scotland are required to register with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

With experience, teachers in Scotland can apply for posts as Principal Teacher, Deputy Head or Head Teacher. A number of graduates will become lecturers on initial teacher education courses, HM Inspectors or take on other development roles at Education Scotland or with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.