Education (in Curriculum enhancement) with Qualified Teacher Status
Teaching at primary level is one of the most rewarding and intellectually demanding of the education professions, requiring not only broad subject knowledge across the full National Curriculum but also a deep understanding of child development, learning theory, classroom management, and the particular responsibilities of working with children at a formative stage of their development. An integrated masters in education with Qualified Teacher Status takes that preparation further still, combining undergraduate and postgraduate study in a single programme and developing the research skills needed to contribute to educational knowledge and practice at an advanced level.
At the University of Derby, this four-year full-time MEdu in Education with Curriculum Enhancement and QTS combines undergraduate and masters level study, providing the opportunity to develop advanced research skills alongside the professional preparation for teaching. You will develop expertise in curriculum design, pedagogical theory, and educational practice, with a particular focus on curriculum enhancement, which equips you to deepen and extend learning across subject areas in ways that go beyond standard teaching. The programme is funded by student loans across all four years, making it financially accessible as a route to both a teaching qualification and a postgraduate-level degree.
Graduates are qualified to teach in state-funded primary schools and hold a masters-level qualification, which is increasingly valued in school leadership, curriculum development, and educational research roles. The combination of QTS, advanced pedagogical knowledge, and research skills positions graduates for careers not only as classroom teachers but as curriculum leaders, SENCO roles, assistant head teachers, and other leadership and specialist roles within schools. Postgraduate research in education, pedagogy, or curriculum studies is also available for those who wish to pursue academic careers in education.