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This module offers you the opportunity to build on your level 5 work placement through the more developed application of a negotiated work-based research project. You will agree with your placement tutor and workplace mentor a brief for a project which addresses a need within the organisation. Learners should complete a minimum of 100 hours in the workplace. It is in the spirit of this module that wherever possible, the focus will be on social or community / sustainable development.
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This double module aims to draw and build upon your previous knowledge and experience in the study of primary education in order to enable you to investigate educational phenomena that holds particular interest for you for a research project. The dissertation requires you to select and explore an educational topic through field research in primary educational settings and reported in a written study. The module also provides an alternative mode of educational research for students who wish to acquire a detailed understanding of their chosen sphere of interest based upon published research in the field. Students selecting the alternative mode of educational research are required to present findings based upon a robust and critical review of the current research in their selected field of study in the form of a portfolio.
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TThis module builds on previous modules such as PSU405 and PSU406 and provides further opportunities to explore and critically evaluate social, moral and well-being issues in a primary classroom. You will deepen your knowledge of the whole child in the primary classroom and critically analyse the roles of professionals involved in supporting children in primary schools and their families. You will gain a critical understanding of the factors that can affect pupils’ participation and learning and can lead to underachievement. You will explore and critically evaluate support strategies and interventions designed to improve outcomes for primary children and their families.
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This module focuses specifically on the multicultural multi-ethnic nature of the world and the fundamental impacts this has on early education in both contemporary and historical contexts. We explore central issues of diversity and the ways in which this concept exists in tension with neoliberal influences that promote conformity and encourage capitalism and inequalities. We unpick this by considering key concepts including colonialism and post-colonialism, otherness, race and racism, patriarchy and gender inequalities, and the datafication of the human subject. The module offers an integrated exploration of global historical contexts to consider how these relate to current worldwide controversies and challenges in educational policy and practice. Active student participation is central to this module with teaching being based around close discussion of material and experience. Midway through the module you will undertake an ethnographic walk to critically explore a chosen area of the environment, the results of which are presented in the module to deepen understanding of sites of contest and the ways in which history and ideology are reflected in our everyday urban.
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The thematic and analytical focus of this module is the impact of digital media and new information and communication technologies upon culture, notions of identity and education and learning. You will be introduced to the perspective that the spread of technologies is the source of some profound cultural changes that have huge implications for both socialisation and educational processes. You will also be introduced to some of the ways in which educational outcomes for the 21st century can be facilitated by the incorporation and creative exploitation of the new technologies. You will be expected to demonstrate that you can use the new technologies in your own creative educative production that critiques the impact of technologies on education.
Studies in Primary Education BA (Hons) Top Up
September 2025
Key Details
- 9X7T Course Code
- 1 Years
This top-up degree is designed for students who have completed a foundation degree in an education related subject. You will enter into the third year of study for the BA Hons Studies in Primary Education degree, enabling you to ‘top-up’ your foundation degree to achieve a full undergraduate BA honours degree.
Our hugely popular course draws upon psychology, sociology and philosophy to take an applied approach to understanding how we can improve the education system and make positive change in the world. You will work alongside inspiring academics and supportive students to develop your critical thinking, communication, creativity whilst forming lifelong friendships through engagement in collaborative projects exploring how we can develop the education system to address the challenges of the 21st century.
You will examine education systems in the UK and abroad, to give you an international perspective on primary education. You will explore alternative approaches to education, as well as the increasing role of technology in learning and teaching. You will also undertake a dissertation around an area of education that you are passionate about, and you will have the opportunity to carry out your own research and data analysis.
In Studies in Primary Education, we don’t believe in high-stakes exams. Instead, we believe that assessment should be a supportive and holistic experience. Consequently, we have a range of assessments potentially including:
- written coursework assignments
- portfolios
- poster presentations
- group/syndicate presentations
- individual presentations
- podcasts
- collaborative investigation
- web-based publications
You will be provided with tutorials and feedback to support you in developing your academic and professional skills.
Many of our students go on to complete their PGCE year and gain QTS and find that this degree gives them a solid foundation with the necessary transferable skills to be a successful teacher.
However, due to the wide-ranging academic nature of the degree other students have gone on to find roles in a variety of education positions including becoming SENDCos, ELSAs, higher level
teaching assistants, and even working in Further Education, hospitals, prisons, youth and social work.
When you finish the programme you are guaranteed an interview for a primary teacher-training PGCE at Newman.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for the direct entry are completion of a foundation degree in a relevant subject area.
Course Fees
The full-time course fee for September 2025 is £9,535 per year.
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
Additional Costs
Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees.
Modules
Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes or Module Changes page.
Timetables: find out when information is available to students
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will be taught the top up on one day of the week, leaving you time to work alongside your studies. You will be taught alongside full-time undergraduate students.