Primary Education 5-11 years (Upr) with Foundation Year

Primary Education with a specialisation in teaching children aged five to eleven is a degree that prepares you for the deeply rewarding professional work of teaching at the heart of a child's educational journey. Primary teachers shape the foundational skills and attitudes towards learning that children carry with them throughout their lives: literacy, numeracy, creativity, curiosity, and the social and emotional capacities needed to thrive in school and beyond. Teaching at this level requires both subject knowledge across the primary curriculum and the pedagogical understanding to develop it effectively with children at different stages of development.

At York St John University, this four-year, full-time degree includes a foundation year that provides a supported entry route for students who would benefit from additional preparation before progressing to the professional teacher training curriculum. The programme qualifies you to teach across all primary years with a specialism in the five to eleven age range, developing the subject knowledge, teaching skills, and professional understanding needed for a successful career in primary education. The degree includes the option of a year abroad, giving you exposure to different educational systems and approaches that can enrich your understanding of what effective teaching looks like.

Substantial school placements throughout the programme ensure that your professional development is grounded in real classrooms and real children.

Graduation from this programme is intended to lead to Qualified Teacher Status, the professional licence required to teach in state-maintained schools in England and Wales. Primary teachers are in consistent demand across the UK, and a teaching qualification provides strong job security and excellent opportunities for professional development, leadership, and career progression within and beyond the classroom. Many graduates also pursue further professional development through the Early Career Framework and subsequent pathways to senior and leadership roles in schools.