Higher and Degree Apprenticeships / Available Apprenticeships / Teacher Degree Apprenticeship in Primary Education

About the course

A Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is a full-time four-year academic programme which combines 60% on the job professional development and 40% undergraduate study. The award aim for this programme is a BA (Hons) in Education Studies with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in Primary Education.

Apprentices will be employed by a primary school in a full-time capacity throughout the four years.

An indicative week for the apprentice will be 3-days at school and 2-days at university; this may vary depending on school and university term times.

Each apprentice will be assigned a school-based mentor and an academic mentor, they will also receive teacher training support from the Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT and have access to the extensive academic and pastoral support services at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥.

Apprentices will be employed by a school where they will spend 60% of their time over the 4 year course.

Graduates will be eligible to apply directly for jobs as teachers in the primary sector.

For more information please visit

To express your interest and find out more please email us at TDAadmin@dmu.ac.uk

To find out more and to speak to our team directly, please sign up to attend one of our online open evenings for both employers and potential apprentices:

You can also visit us and talk to members of the team at the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Open Day day on Saturday 29 March 2025.

What you will study

University-based study will be 2-days per week, taught in blocks of 7-weeks, with one module studied at a time.

  • Four modules will be studied in Years 1 and 2
  • Two modules will be studied in Years 3 and 4

Delivery will be through lectures, workshops, and seminars, supported by online material.

Teacher education will be delivered by the Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT, with one module being studied throughout each academic year. Apprentices will engage with these modules during their 3-days in school and at key times of the year.

N.B The information below is a guideline only and course content is subject to validation.

For more information about the BA Education Studies programme please visit Education Studies BA Hons

In year one you will study 4 modules worth 120 credits in total.

Indicative content for Year 1 includes:

  • Education theories
  • History of education
  • Exploring policy
  • Contemporary childhood and social justice
  • Aspects of identity
  • Inclusion and diversity

PLUS

One teacher training module:

  • School placement with introduction to QTS skills

In year 2 you will study 4 modules worth 120 credits in total.

Indicative content for Year 2 includes:

  • Problem-based learning
  • Contemporary issues in childhood and education
  • Researching methods
  • Digital education
  • The importance of music and the arts in education
  • Theories of learning and well-being
  • Special Educational Need, Disability and Neurodiversity in a range of educational contexts

PLUS

One teacher training module:

  • School placement with QTS skills

In year 3 you will study 2 modules worth 60 credits in total.

Year 3 includes optionality and Indicative content includes:

  • Explorations of gender, class, race and ethnicity in education
  • Collaboration in curriculum design.

PLUS

Two teacher training modules including:

  • 14 weeks on the SCITT programme for primary education following the Initial Teacher Training Early Career Framework (ITTECF) AND
  • School placement with QTS skills

In year 4 you will study 2 modules worth 60 credits in total.

Indicative content for Year 4 includes:

  • A placement module which supports apprentices to undertake an alternative school placement
  • Either a field-work or critical review dissertation

PLUS

Two teacher training modules including:

  • 14 weeks on the SCITT programme following the SCITT programme for primary education and ITTECF
  • Second school placement experience
  • Final school placement and assessment of practice

Assessment

Each block or ‘module’ is assessed separately. Assessments include portfolios, presentations, essays, reports, micro-teaches, podcast, posters, CPD brochures, digital resources, policy analysis, research proposal, dissertation and creative artefacts. The total BA degree is 360 credits.

The QTS element of the TDA is assessed through formal and informal observations of teaching practice and a portfolio of evidence compiled by the student against the apprenticeship standard which aligns with the Teacher Standards.

Both elements of the programme must be passed for the qualification to be awarded.

Accreditation

The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ is in partnership with Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT. The Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT have been graded an Outstanding ITT provider by Ofsted (2023).

Entry Requirements

Teacher Degree Apprenticeships will be open to anyone who would like to gain a degree and become a qualified teacher. This includes, but is not limited to, teaching assistants, school leavers or people looking to change careers.

Following guidance from the DfE, on the website, eligibility to apply for a TDA will include being:

  • a resident of England for the last 3 years or more

To meet the academic requirements for the TDA, you must have:

  • GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths and science
  • A levels - the number of A levels or equivalent qualifications required will be set by individual universities*

*For Education Studies BA Hons this is:

  • A minimum of 104 UCAS points from 2 or more A levels
  • T Levels - Merit
  • BTEC - BTEC National Diploma — Distinction/Merit/Merit or BTEC Extended Diploma — Distinction/Merit/Merit
  • Alternative qualifications include: Access to HE Diploma, Pass in QAA accredited Access to HE overall 104 UCAS tariff with at least 30 Level 3 credits at Merit.

However, due to aims and nature of the programme recognition of prior learning [RPL] will be considered when making offers.

Applicants will also be required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate upon entry to the course

Ready to find out how this programme can benefit you?

Take your next steps

Programme Leaders

Dr Julie Summers (BA, PhD, PGCE)

Senior Lecturer in Education

Prior to becoming a university lecturer Julie worked for 18 years as a teacher. She has experience in both primary and secondary schools and as a lead mentor for trainee teachers. Julie has a wealth of practical experience in teaching and learning and has also been both a senior lead practitioner and a head of department. Her current research interests are around professional development and teacher training policy, and multilingualism in education. Julie teaches on a range of different undergraduate modules on the BA Education Studies programme and leads the level 6 Reflection on Practice component.

Talitha Bird (BA, MA, PGCE)

Associate Professor and Head of Division for Education

Talitha is a Social Scientist and educator with an academic focus on approaches to learning which empower learners to address inequality. Talitha currently leads Radical Education, a Level 6 module which explores alternative and progressive education through the lens of Critical pedagogy. She is also the Education for Sustainable Development [ESD] Faculty Representative for Health and Life Sciences, and a ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ SDG Fellow for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions [16]. Talitha's research background is primarily in Critical theory and Critical pedagogy, with a special interest in gender, marginalised motherhood, and lifelong learning. Talitha is also interested in creative and collaborative research approaches and methods, such as Participatory Action Research, photovoice, and the use of Forum Theatre.

Rachel Rouncefield (B.Ed, M.Ed Management of Community Education)

Senior Lecturer

Rachel comes from practice both in the classroom and in the community and she has experience of leading and managing. She has integrated professional teams in local authorities, community schools and specialist technology colleges.

Having joined ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ staff in 2020 Rachel is an enthusiastic advocate of academic research into professional and practice issues and, on the back of this research into co-creative methodology. She utilises collaborative and co-creative approaches wherever possible. Rachel teaches on the BA Education Studies programme ‘Learning and Wellbeing’ module.

Career pathways and employability

There is a national shortage of qualified teachers at every level. As a teacher apprentice you will be employed part time by a school during your degree.

This pathway will enable you to work immediately as a classroom teacher in any primary school upon graduation.

Teaching is a rewarding career with a number of potential opportunities for progression into specialist areas such as SEND, curriculum development, training, pastoral and leadership roles.

Fees and funding

All tuition fees for the TDA are fully funded (IfATE, 2024).

In addition to this, apprentices will be employed full-time in a school. Salaries will follow the school's existing pay structure. Further details can be found on the .

Take your next steps

If you are an employer

TDAs are for future thinking schools who wish to invest in and retain dedicated teaching staff for the long-term. Offering apprenticeships is a great way to attract and retain employees, helping develop their skills and knowledge.

The TDA would be an ideal route for those who have experience working (for example, as a TA) in a school and would like to become a qualified teacher. As the tuition and training is funded this would be at no extra cost to the school, who will continue to employ them as an apprentice.

A school may also be approached by talented and motivated school leavers who would not otherwise be able to consider studying for a degree and entering the teaching profession.

Investment in such individuals has many benefits: a guaranteed employee for a minimum of 4 years, a chance to train and develop a teacher in a particular setting, CPD opportunities for existing staff as mentors, a 3-way relationship with the SCITT team and the Education Studies team at ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ which offers a wealth of experience and support for both staff and apprentices.

If you’re interested in taking on a new apprentice or upskilling existing staff members, contact us to find out more: TDAadmin@dmu.ac.uk.

We are happy to arrange a visit to talk to your school and potential applicants at your convenience.

If you are an aspiring apprentice

Considering a degree apprenticeship but already employed? Our degree apprenticeships are employer-led, meaning your school or trust invests in your development. Discuss this exciting opportunity with your employer and once you’ve got the go-ahead, contact us to find out more: TDAadmin@dmu.ac.uk

If you’d like us to contact your employer on your behalf, just reach out with your employer’s details and permission to contact and we’ll take it from there.

We'll provide clear guidance to both you and your employer, walking you through the application process and everything that comes after.

To express your interest and find out more please email us at TDAadmin@dmu.ac.uk or come to our next open day.

Applications should be made from April 2025.

Please see our Fact Sheet for a summary of key information for apprentices and employers.

Key facts

Course title

Teacher Degree Apprenticeship in Primary Education

Award

Level 6 BA Education Studies + Qualified Teacher Status

Duration

4 years

Entry requirements

104 UCAS points from at least 2 A levels, T levels (merit), BTEC (merit), GCSE grade 4 or above in Maths and English and Science

Fees

Fully funded