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BA

Primary Education with Foundation

Developing the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to go on to become a first-rate teacher.

How to apply Apply via UCAS

Course details

Start date

Degree Type

BA

UCAS Code

X120

Course length

1 year foundation, plus full undergraduate degree

Typical offer

Tuition Fees

  • Home (Full-time): 5,760 per year
  • Overseas (Full-time): 26,500 per year

Overview

The Foundation Programme is designed for students from under-represented groups in higher education, who have the potential to achieve the standard for admission to Durham, but who, because of educational disadvantage or disruption, do not have the level of attainment or access to qualifications required for entry to a Durham University course. The Foundation Programme is delivered by a dedicated team of academic tutors from Durham’s Centre for Academic Development (DCAD). Each year it provides places for 100 students and supports them to progress to Level 1 study in over 33 academic subjects from every academic department in the university. The Foundation Programme supports students to develop the skills and subject knowledge required for successful study at degree level. The content focuses on developing epistemological maturity, metacognitive skills, and independent learning, becoming increasingly specialised as the course progresses. On successful completion of the Foundation Year, students will progress to the first year of their degree X101 BA Primary Education.

Course details

Start date

Degree Type

BA

UCAS Code

X120

Course length

1 year foundation, plus full undergraduate degree

Typical offer

Tuition Fees

  • Home (Full-time): 5,760 per year
  • Overseas (Full-time): 26,500 per year

What you'll study

The Foundation Programme provides 120 academic credits divided into modules, with 20 hours of taught content and 10 hours of tutorial or small group seminar support for every 15 credits. We also expect our students to engage in a further 100 hours of self-directed study (including assignments and tests) for every 15 credits they study. This is broadly in-line with the majority of academic departments across Durham University, although individual variation does exist between departments.

Core modules

  • Mathematics 1

  • Scholarship in Higher Education (Extended)

  • Advanced Scholarship in Higher Education for Arts, Business and Social Sciences

  • Concepts, Methods and Theories in Social Science

Learning

This programme provides high-quality teaching and learning in a supportive and productive environment which encourages self-awareness, reflective practice, and cross-discipline awareness. The course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials/workshops, and practical classes. Typically, lectures provide key information on a particular area, and this is consolidated through tutorials and/or workshops and practical classes where appropriate, particularly for laboratory skills. The course provides up to 16 contact hours per week, but further consolidation takes place through independent study and/or voluntary workshops provided outside the course’s formal contact hours. Emphasis is placed on developing confidence and classes are generally small, to ensure individual learning needs can be met. Students who require additional writing and academic support are normally provided with additional contact time and opportunities to take part in small group and individual tutorials.

Assessment

Towards the end of the year, greater emphasis is placed on independent study, not just in preparation for classes and reading around the subjects, but also with students completing an individual project related to their progression route. Throughout the course, all students also have access to an academic adviser who will provide them with academic support and guidance. Students will normally meet weekly with their adviser. However, in addition, academic advisors and teaching staff are normally available to meet with students by appointment. After the initial year, you should refer to the teaching and learning information for your chosen degree subject.

Entry requirements

Fees & Funding

Choose which fees you want to see:

Home / Island students

5,760 per year

International / EU Students

26,500 per year

Home / Island students

Part Time - per year

International / EU Students

Part Time - per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Find out more

Department Information

  • Our staff, from the Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD), are experts in teaching foundation level courses and are engaged in a wide range of scholarship activities, adding to the body of knowledge within their respective discipline areas and in the field of learning and teaching. In your Foundation Year (Year 0), you will study modules that add up to 120 ‘credits’, learning both core general academic skills and subject-specific content that will enable you to enter and thrive in Year 1 of your degree subject. Our courses are fully integrated elements of Durham University degree programmes and students are full members of the University, which means you become a member of a college and enjoy full access to the extensive extracurricular opportunities at the University from day one. If you successfully reach the progression standard by the end of your Year 0 you will automatically gain entry to Year 1 of your registered degree course without the need for a further UCAS application. We are committed to making our degrees accessible and inclusive. Our programme is designed to support UK students (including those with Settled Status in the UK) from some under-represented groups in Higher Education to access and succeed in studying an undergraduate degree at our University. If you are a talented individual, who has not been able to achieve your academic potential and is therefore unable to meet the standard direct entry offer, and you meet our entry criteria, we welcome an application from you.

    Read more

    Facilities

    Durham University’s departments and services are spread across the historic city. As a Foundation student, you will have access to a wide range of facilities across the University.

    • While facilities will vary according to your choice of subjects, all of our departments are equipped with high-quality teaching and research equipment.

    Find out more

Career Opportunities

Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:

87%

in work or further study.

92%

in high and medium skilled employment

£30,000

is the average salary.

HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk

Employability

We have impressive graduate prospects, and strongly emphasise employability and career development. Many Durham graduates secure positions in top companies across various industries, reflecting our strong reputation among employers. Additionally, Durham’s global alumni network offers valuable connections and opportunities for recent graduates.

More Information

The Foundation programmes provide places for around 100 students and support them to progress to Level 1 study in 33 academic subjects from every academic department in the University.

Learn more about why the Foundation programme is a great course to study

Your next steps