Education Studies - Primary

Ready for a career supporting and shaping young minds? Start your journey towards becoming a primary school teacher or other fulfilling roles within education through our practice-focused primary education studies degree.

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification. You do not need to be volunteering or employed in a primary school to study this qualification. However, if you are not volunteering or working in a school on a regular basis, you may wish to arrange opportunities to spend time in a formal educational setting for children aged 3–12 to observe teaching and learning during your studies. We suggest that you try to spend between five and 10 days in school when studying Learning and teaching in the primary years (E103) and Developing subject knowledge for the primary years (E209). Whilst studying Comparative and international studies in primary education (E309) you may wish to spend around five days in school or another educational setting. If you cannot spend time in practice settings, qualification materials provide examples of children’s learning across a range of phases and contexts. For the optional module Listening to young children: critical reflections (E229), you will have to arrange access to a young child for a short observation. See the module description for more details. It is your responsibility – not the OU’s – to ensure that you obtain the necessary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or equivalent for the setting and country in which you’re working or volunteering. You should contact the relevant agency in your country for more information if you are in any doubt about your eligibility or to find out more.