Undergraduate Course 

BEd (Hons)

Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status

The best bits

  • 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education)
  • Personalise your degree to match your interests - choose from our range of curriculum enhancement pathways
  • Learn from an experienced, lively and caring teaching team
  • Rich and varied learning experiences beyond the classroom - opportunity for overseas school visits
91%of students agreed that staff are good at explaining thingsBEd (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status - National Student Survey 2024
Ofstedrating of 'Outstanding' for Primary, Secondary and Post-14 Further Education and SkillsOfsted 2023/24
95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the courseGraduate Outcomes survey

Outstanding at teaching the teachers, our 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating speaks for itself.

Primary Education at Derby 

Our course enjoys a strong reputation locally, nationally and internationally. We are supported by a large partnership of quality-assured primary, infant, junior, middle and special schools. 

Graduating with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) means you’ll be able to go straight into your first teaching position. 

Developing your skills

We develop outstanding teachers who are resilient, critical, and reflective classroom practitioners. You will develop the confidence to challenge policy, practice and ways of teaching. You'll be equipped with advanced teaching and academic skills to make your own practice transformative. You'll learn to be inclusive and sensitive to the needs of children to ensure good outcomes for all. 

And you'll learn in a dynamic and lively, inspirational and innovative environment with students of all ages and backgrounds.

You may also be interested in our four-year Integrated Masters in Education (MEdu) (in curriculum enhancement) with Qualified Teacher Status.

Children playing in a forest area

Outdoor Learning Space

Learn how to apply education in an outdoor setting, using nature to improve the personal, social and technical skills of children.

Explore our Outdoor Learning SpaceExplore our Outdoor Learning Space

Your placements

You’ll undertake a placement in a different school at each stage of the course. Throughout your placements you’ll receive ongoing mentor support from experienced teachers.

You’ll build your skills working with children in different year groups so that you can understand the whole primary phase.

Tailored to your interests

You’ll have the chance to personalise your degree to reflect your professional interests and career ambitions. As the course progresses, and you make more informed choices about the kind of teacher you want to become, you can select curriculum enhancement pathways.

FAQs

If you have any questions, please see our FAQs page or feel free to get in touch.

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Big spaces for big ideas

Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax at Basecamp, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.

Discover your campusDiscover your campus

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

You’ll learn through lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials. You'll be taught by influential researchers and published authors whose work is helping to shape the future of the teaching profession. And you’ll also hear from thought-provoking guest speakers, and creative partners in our primary education facilities.  

You will have school-based as well as university-based training - as stipulated by the Teacher Regulation Agency.  You’ll also have the opportunity to broaden your experiences through museum visits, overseas school trips, and visits to special educational needs settings, early years and Key Stage 3 settings. 

Social justice lies at the heart of our course and you will be encouraged to give something back to the local community. You’ll take part in community projects working with children and staff in settings such as schools, our chosen charities, museums and galleries. 

Placement schedule 

During the course, you'll spend approximately 24 weeks on placement in a number of different schools. This will include a mixture of placements from EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) through to the end of Key Stage 2. During this time, you will be supported by mentors and subject specialists.

How you're assessed

There are no exams. You’ll be assessed through essays, personal reflections, presentations, posters, reports, tests, and audits. There is an assessed school placement every year.

Person offering support to a student Person offering support to a student with a laptop Student smiling with tutor Tutor smiling with student and laptop

Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Explore the programme

Who will teach you

Becky Manton

Programme Leader

Awaiting staff photo

Becky Manton

Becky is the Programme Leader for the BEd (Hons) with the QTS programme, after enjoying a varied number of roles within primary teaching.

View full staff profile

Careers

Our newly qualified teachers are highly regarded within the education sector and our employability statistics speak for themselves - 95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course (Graduate Outcomes survey). Many of our graduates go on to secure jobs at schools where they undertook their placements.

When you graduate, you could choose to continue studying with us by taking our MA Education course, which will help you to explore the wider impact of education and increase your confidence as a practitioner. The MA Education is especially valuable if you have set your sights on more senior roles such as head teacher or deputy head teacher. 

As a newly qualified teacher, you can also benefit from the University’s continuing support as you take your career forward. We offer a range of resources, subject updates, events, conferences and development opportunities to ease your transition into professional practice.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

Career Support Image

96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points120
A LevelBBB
T LevelMerit
BTECDDM
GCSEGCSE (or equivalent) Maths, English Language and a Science at Grade 4/C or above, (there are currently a range of equivalences which can be accepted.)
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 21, Merit: 24, Pass: 0
English language requirementsIELTS: 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each skills area)

Additional entry requirements

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,535 per year

N/A

International

£16,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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Full-time

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