About the course

Become a creative, innovative and reflective teacher, specialising in working with the youngest children in primary schools (aged 3-7), on a course that meets the requirements for Qualified Teacher Status.

Through taught sessions on campus and supported placements, this course develops your confidence in applying theory to Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1 teaching practice, giving you the knowledge and skills to lead learning and initiate change in educational settings

It prepares you to teach across the EYFS and Key Stage 1 national curriculum with topics including child development; early literacy, maths and science; supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities; creating environments for learning opportunities; effective digital learning; and evidence-informed learning and teaching approaches.

The University of Bedfordshire is the largest provider of teacher education in the region and has a long-established history in teacher training, offering a wide range of routes into teaching and successful partnerships with over 500 schools, colleges and other relevant organisations, from over 14 local authorities.

Why choose this course?

• On successful completion, you achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to work as an early years or primary teacher
• Our Bedford campus is a small, thriving academic community where staff get to know you well and provide individual academic support
• Learn in bespoke modern facilities including realistic mock classrooms; a blended-learning, multimedia breakout space for webinars and podcasting; a Forest School for training in outdoor learning and play; and a specialist sensory building for SEND and Early Years courses
• Benefit from an experienced teaching team that includes previous early years and primary teachers as well as middle and senior leaders within schools and early years settings
• Build skills that allow you to communicate effectively with learners, colleagues, parents/carers and other professionals
• Hone your skills of critical self-evaluation and gain confidence in analysing your own practical experience during your school placements
• Develop valuable strategies to manage your own and support others’ positive mental health and wellbeing
• Our Education courses have a high student satisfaction rating for our teaching (91%) and academic support (90%) (NSS 2022)
• The School of Teacher Education has excellent employability rates, with over 95% of our graduate teachers securing teaching roles in school within six months of graduation