Primary Education (with QTS), BA

​​Your course begins on Monday 7th September 2026. Be prepared to attend welcome, induction and teaching events on almost every day of the first two weeks.

The first two weeks are essential to set you up for all the learning that is to come - make sure you prioritise attending.

These Welcome Weeks are also the time when you will meet your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). They will be your support in both the academic and professional aspects of the course, as well as being the person who can signpost you to other sources of help.​ 

​​Planning your transition into the course

​We know that you are excited about getting started on the course. To support your smooth transition, we have collated a set of information which you will find useful. This includes the course timetable, sources of support and a range of pre-arrival tasks. Please ensure you engage with these prior to the course start date and be ready to discuss these with your tutors when you arrive.

​Please follow this link to a Padlet containing important course information and the pre-arrival tasks: https://padlet.com/cccu/key-information-for-your-year-1-studies-2026-27-7lyz3wwb373dzqa4

​​School Experience

​We know that placements in school will be the highlight of the course for you as you begin to put your teaching skills into practice. We have a team who organise all the placements for our students and they will be in touch with you to gather the information they need to complete that task. You will need to consider the following information.

​We ask you to state a preference for the age-phase of your placements for the duration of the course. It is very important to note that this is a preference only and cannot be guaranteed. Whilst we will do our best to place you within your preferred age-range, we must work within a range of parameters including:

• ​The offers received from local schools;

• ​Government requirements;

• ​Students’ living and transport arrangements;

• ​Students’ medical needs and caring responsibilities.

​The age-phases that you are asked to choose between are as follows:

• ​3 – 7 years – Placements will be in the Foundation Stage (including Nursery and Reception) and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2);

• ​5 – 11 years – Placements will be in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6).

​Because the course prepares you to teach across the primary age range, employability and the overall qualification awarded are not affected by the choice you make.

​You should note that while we provide a contribution towards travel costs, you are expected to fund a portion of the travel to placement yourself. You are advised not to purchase season tickets or travel cards until you know the school in which you are placed and the suggested mode of transport. You should be prepared to travel up to 1½ hours each way to placement.

​Voluntary observations in schools (EYFS/KS1/KS2)

​Whilst it is not a requirement, you are advised to seek as much voluntary experience in schools as is possible before the start of the course. When in school, focus on the roles and responsibilities of the teachers, the curriculum and the impact on children’s learning. You will find this greater understanding and awareness invaluable as you being the course.​

​​​If you would like to complete some reading before you start the course, the following Padlet suggests some accessible readings alongside the other pre-course tasks:

​https://padlet.com/cccu/key-information-for-your-year-1-studies-2026-27-7lyz3wwb373dzqa4

​We do not advise you to purchase any books in advance of joining the course.​