Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status
Teaching in primary schools is one of the most demanding and rewarding professional roles in education. It requires subject knowledge across a broad curriculum, a deep understanding of child development, the ability to design and deliver effective lessons for children with very different needs and starting points, and the professional skills to work within schools, with parents and as part of a wider educational community. A degree with Qualified Teacher Status prepares you for all of that, combining academic study with substantial time in schools.
At the University of Derby, the three-year full-time BA in Primary Education with QTS develops your understanding of teaching and learning across the primary curriculum, including English, mathematics, science and the foundation subjects. You will study child development, inclusive education, pedagogy and assessment, alongside the specific approaches to curriculum areas that primary teachers need. Crucially, the degree is built around school placements that take you into a range of primary, infant, junior and special schools, where you will develop your practice under the supervision of experienced teachers.
Derby's large partnership of quality-assured schools provides a varied and supportive environment for this practical training.
Qualified Teacher Status is the professional qualification needed to teach in state schools in England. Completing the degree means you are eligible to apply for teaching positions, though newly qualified teachers typically begin an induction period before being confirmed as fully qualified.
Graduates teach in primary schools across the state and independent sectors, in the UK and internationally. Many develop careers as subject coordinators, special educational needs and disabilities coordinators, phase leaders and eventually headteachers or other school leadership roles. Teaching also provides a foundation for roles in educational research, teacher training, inspection and curriculum development.