BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies Bachelor's degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University
BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies at CMU is a nationally recognised degree from a UK degree-awarding body, taught in English.
About this course
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BA (Hons) Primary Education Studies is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at CMU, based in Cyncoed Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Education graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £23,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Education & Teaching, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 81% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year One 6 modules
- History of Education: Evolving Systems
Module details
This module develops your knowledge of historical developments within the field of education since 1870, facilitating their understanding of the contemporary UK system. Through this, you will become cognisant of the relationships between education, society, politics, and the individual.
- An Introduction to Higher Education Academic Literacies
Module details
This module aims to develop your awareness of essential skills required to succeed within higher education, enhancing your knowledge of and capacity to apply academic approaches and techniques in relation to tasks set. During this module, you will be guided towards being an independent learner and encouraged to engage in self-evaluation and set personal goals for further academic development.
- Play, Creativity and Development in Young Children
Module details
This module introduces you to the role of play in young children's development, including their cognitive, emotional, language, physical and creative development. Developing their knowledge and understanding of theories of development and creativity, as well as concepts and underpinning principes of inclusion and diversity, you explore ways this knowledge can be applied in practice to support and enhance children's experiences.
- Professional Studies and Work-based Development
Module details
As part of this module, you will gain experience within an alternative setting to primary school (e.g., charitable organisations, ALN provisions, secondary schools, nurseries). During the placement, you will work collaboratively with stakeholders to identify and address an area for development within the setting, applying knowledge and skills within the context of project planning. The process of evaluating their experiences in placement and engaging with the Career Service supports you to devel
- Controversies and Debates in Education
Module details
This module develops your knowledge of contemporary debates and controversies, deepening your understanding of the key themes and strands that characterise the field of education studies. The module explores the relationships between education, society, politics, and the individual, making you familiar with the factors that characterise contemporary debate. Becoming aware of the cyclic nature of key issues, you will reflect on the underlying explanations for why certain patterns persist.
- An Introduction to Cross-curricular Learning
Module details
During this module, students explore the concept of 'cross-curricula learning', evaluating its potential to support children in learning more effectively within the context of primary education. Practical insight into how to make links between subject domains within primary education curricula will develop your knowledge of how to apply underlying principles of cross-curricular approaches within the context of practice and provision.
Year Two 6 modules
- Exploring Pedagogies for Practice and Provision
Module details
This module engages you with multiple perspectives of and international debates surrounding pedagogy, enabling you to apply your knowledge in relation to practice and provision. You will explore a range of pedagogical approaches, equipping you to identify links between these and their corresponding theoretical underpinnings. You will also develop your knowledge of how key underpinning principles of a range of pedagogical approaches affect experiences for children at different stages within a ran
- Diversity, Identity and Equality in Education
Module details
Within this module, you will develop a critical and systematic understanding of well-established theories and concepts in relation to contemporary approaches to education and equality. This will equip you to engage in debate on diversity, inclusion and equality within education, and demonstrate knowledge of policy, legislation, key issues, challenges and competing perspectives. This module will enable you to apply critical understanding of contemporary research on diversity, identity and equalit
- Outdoor Play and Learning in and with the Natural world
Module details
During this module, you will gain practical insight into a range of pedagogical approaches which involve engagement with the natural world. In doing so, you will consider the associated philosophical perspectives of different approaches, evaluating the impact on children's experiences (including those with additional and complex needs). This module will develop your knowledge of the affordances of the environment within the context of children's outdoor play and learning through which you will i
- Developing Professional Identities
Module details
This module provides you with experience in a primary school placement during which you will identify and propose how to address an area for improvement / development within your primary school placement. The experience of placement provides an opportunity for you to enhance a range of employability skills and to demonstrate innovation.
- Language, Literacy and Childhood Education
Module details
During this module, you will explore concepts of literacy, engaging in multiple perspectives, definitions and international debates. They will gain critical insight into theory, policy and practice in relation to children's language and literacy development. Through your engagement with children's literature and pedagogical practices, you will develop your capacity to create resources and materials to support children's language acquisition and literacy development.
- Developing Your Research Skills
Module details
During this module, you will examine a range of methodologies, research tools, and data sources, developing your critical understanding of contemporary research and practice within a chosen area of interest. Module content will support you towards considering critical issues when undertaking research with participants, including ethical issues and researcher integrity. Choosing an area of interest, you will learn how to apply research tools and engage with evidence to enhance knowledge and its a
Year Three 5 modules
- Independent Project
Module details
The Independent Project is an opportunity for you to apply your personal interests and skills within the context of a project of your own design. You can choose from a creative output, enterprise project, literature-based project or research involving human participants. The project is largely an independent piece of work for which you will receive guidance from an academic supervisor.
- Curriculum Design: Theory, Practice and Politics
Module details
Through this module, you will gain critical insight into the concept of curriculum design, examining it in relation to theory, politics, and practice. You'll engage in critical reflection of curricula from perspectives of design and enactment, articulating key principles and values. Module content and delivery will also equip you to develop a curriculum in a particular context / subject area which is underpinned by theory and evidence informed.
- Global and Comparative Education
Module details
This module engages you in key issues and debates from competing perspectives, developing your capacity to evaluate evidence from the multidisciplinary field of comparative education. Developing a critical and systematic understanding of and the connections between key concepts, theoretical perspectives and educational policy discourses within the field of comparative education, you will be equipped to apply knowledge, synthesise ideas and information to formulate convincing and informed argumen
- Towards Healthy and Sustainable Futures in Education
Module details
Module content encourages you to develop a strong sense of personal and professional ethics as you examine, for example, health and well-being in the curriculum and the role of education for sustainable development. This module will encourage you to critically evaluate information, using it to make reasoned decisions on courses of actions for healthy and sustainable futures within education.
- Exploring Educational Environments
Module details
This module develops your interdisciplinary knowledge of educational environments, bringing together philosophy, pedagogy, and different agendas. You will explore and critically evaluate the affordances of educational environments, drawing on your knowledge of a range of perspectives, philosophies and practices. Module content, experiences and assessment equips you to design, develop and adapt educational environments, aligning them with pedagogical principles and practices.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
A typical Primary Education Studies degree moves from foundations in how children learn and schools are organised, through increasingly practical classroom experience, to specialist study and professional assessment. You'll usually study child development from birth through adolescence, and curriculum design alongside planning and assessment across core subjects. From Year 1 onwards, school placements form a sustained thread, starting with observation and supported teaching, progressing to classroom practice with greater responsibility. In the final year, you'll focus on behaviour, assessment and professional standards, with options in areas such as early years, subject specialisms, SEND and inclusion, or education policy. Some routes lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), culminating in assessment against the Teachers' Standards during your final placement.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking initial teacher training and professional qualification in primary education. Most accepted students entered with A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff band among recent entrants was 96–111 points. You'll need to check Cardiff Metropolitan's funding pages for details on bursaries and scholarships available to you.
Careers & job market
Across Education and Teaching courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 70% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings data (national figures) show starting salaries of £22,000–£30,000 at 15 months; after three years, £17,850–£25,200; and after five years, £21,250–£30,000. These reflect sector-wide outcomes, not individual guarantees.
University & format
This BA (Hons) is delivered full-time over 3 years at Cardiff Metropolitan University, a university based in Wales on the Cyncoed Campus. Teaching is conducted in English. The degree is accredited as a recognised UK degree-awarding body, so your qualification is nationally recognised. Most recent entrants came in with A-levels or equivalent (91% of accepted students), and the typical UCAS tariff was 96–111 points. Check the university's funding pages for bursaries and scholarships.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 90%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 91% |
| another higher-education qualification | 7% |
| an Access course | 1% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code D93T). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at CMU →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- Teacher-training bursaries: Postgraduate bursaries and scholarships are available for selected shortage subjects. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Education & Teaching graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £23,000 | £17,000 – £28,000 | 175 |
| 3 years after | £21,000 | £15,500 – £24,500 | 275 |
| 5 years after | £25,000 | £19,500 – £29,000 | 310 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 175. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in education & teaching · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Education & Teaching nationally
National figures for Education & Teaching graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 175. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Education & Teaching courses at the same study level.
Compared with 515 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Education & Teaching graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Education & Teaching graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Schools & academy trusts
- Local authorities
- Education charities
- Tutoring providers
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Education & Teaching graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Fees for this course are set under Wales's own student-finance system, not the England cap; check the provider's course page for the exact figure. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £23,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.6 out of 10: NSS 90% · continued 81%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Education and teaching across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Cyncoed Campus
506 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Education & Teaching right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to CMU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by CMU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check CMU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with CMU and gov.uk before you apply.
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BA (Hons) Primary Education StudiesBA (Hons) · CMUCommon questions
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