Why study this course with LJMU?
- Stepping stone to a wide range of careers which focus on supporting children and families during primary phase education, including teaching, social care, health and childcare
- 94% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on our education courses were good at explaining things (NSS 2024)
- Extensive work-related learning opportunities
- Explore the sociological, historical, political, psychological and philosophical issues that impact on the lives and learning of young children
- Tailor your studies to your own interests through optional modules
- Graduate with a solid foundation for a child-centred career
- You are able to apply for a PGCE course, if you meet the entry requirements, which you would complete once you have graduated from this course. Completion of a PGCE would enable you to become a teacher. If you are looking for an undergraduate teacher training course now, we offer BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS.
About your course
By completing the BA (Hons) Education and Primary Studies with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University you will be able to make a significant difference to children's future development and educational attainment.
Additional course costs
There are no costs for off site day trips embedded into core and option modules. Optional international placements will have a cost attached.
Foundation Year
The Foundation Year offers a supportive environment to develop confidence with academic study skills and also introduces you to key subject specific content relating to your degree pathway. This is a four year degree programme. We particularly welcome applicants with non-standard qualifications.
Children's future development and educational attainment depends on high quality provision and experiences during primary phase education. This course explores recent initiatives and the influence of historical and key primary phase pioneers on current practice. You will also examine how young children develop and learn and explore both national and international approaches to primary provision, policy and practice.
The course brings together all aspects of education such as the effects of poverty and social exclusion, and curriculum development. The needs and rights of children, and your moral and professional role in working with them, will form the foundation of your professional development and academic studies.
You will study education it its broadest sense, drawing on aspects of sociology, history, politics, psychology and philosophy to give you an understanding of current educational thinking and practice. We signpost you to appropriate volunteer opportunities and activities in schools and other placements, so that you can gain the experience and practice you need before embarking on further training, study or a career.
We have several international links, and there are opportunities to visit other countries and also undertake a work-related placement overseas.
You will be able to tailor your studies to your own interests through option modules, research and work-related practice. Not only will you graduate with a solid foundation for a child-centred career, you will also gain key transferable skills, such as interpersonal, oral and written skills that are so crucial in the workplace today.
Course modules
What you will study on this degree
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Project Study
20 credits
20 credits
Foundation Mathematics for Engineering and Technology 1
20 credits
20 credits
Foundation Mathematics for Engineering and Technology 2
20 credits
20 credits
Introductory Foundation Physics
20 credits
20 credits
Academic English Skills 1
20 credits
20 credits
Academic English Skills 2
20 credits
20 credits
Core modules
Engineering Mathematics 1a
10 credits
10 credits
This module provides a foundation in engineering mathematics for its application to the solution of engineering problems.
Engineering Mathematics 1b
10 credits
10 credits
This module provides a foundation in engineering mathematics for its application to the solution of engineering problems. It is a continuation of Engineering Mathematics 1a.
Applied Mechanics 1
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to introduce you to the essential principles of applied mechanics.
Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 1
20 credits
20 credits
The module aims to introduce the essential principles of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
Materials
20 credits
20 credits
The module aims to introduce you to the essential principles of material science and engineering with reference to an essential element in mechanical design and materials selection. This module will also provide technical insight into various manufacturing processes. The overall module aim is to enable you to gain knowledge and skills for further studies or employment.
Engineering Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to introduce you to a range of general engineering practices and standards.
Mechatronics 1
20 credits
20 credits
The aim of this module is to introduce electromechanical systems focusing on applications in the areas of Mechanical, Automotive and Marine Engineering. The module covers the essential concepts of electrical circuits including AC and DC systems, signals, sensors, actuators and digital electronics.
Core modules
Materials and Processes
10 credits
10 credits
Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module provides you with an insight into thermal plant cycles and the physical behaviour of fluid flow and heat transfer by application of the theory to practical engineering examples.
Engineering Design 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to build on the skills developed in the Level 4 Engineering Practice module by introducing systematic approaches to the design process and to the analysis of mechanical engineering designs. It will provide you with a practical experience of the design process, allow you to further practice the analytical skills relating to mechanics and to document your work to appropriate design standards.
Mechatronics 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module helps to develop a practical understanding of how sensors and actuators may be used along with embedded systems to control and monitor mechanical engineering systems.
Engineering Mathematics 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module will provide you with a further course in engineering mathematics and its application to the solution of engineering problems.
Modelling and Simulation
10 credits
10 credits
This module aims to introduce methods for modelling and simulating engineering systems. You will learn how to create models (typically 1-D) which may be represented using software, parameterized and simulated to create results which allow you to explore their behaviour.
Applied Mechanics 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module provides the means for solving many mechanical engineering problems by learning the principles of mechanics for rigid and deformable solid bodies.
Core modules
Engineering Project
40 credits
40 credits
Engineering Design 3
20 credits
20 credits
This module will deliver a project based learning experience in Engineering Design. It is intended to present a practical focal point for knowledge and techniques learned in other modules as well as to continue to build on the engineering design curriculum. It will help you follow a systematic approach to generate detailed designs addressing both component and system level requirements.
Industrial Management
20 credits
20 credits
This module is designed to develop the core management techniques required to assess the economic viability of a product/project and to design and implement a plan to deliver it.
Optional modules
Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
10 credits
10 credits
The module aims to further develop your knowledge on the essential principles of Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer.
Thermodynamics
10 credits
10 credits
The module aims to provide you with a comprehensive insight into power generation at an advanced level by studying the performance and behaviour of thermodynamic systems for evaluation of industrial plant applications.
Structural Integrity
10 credits
10 credits
This module enables you to develop an understanding of the performance of materials and structures subjected to load in terms of deformation based failure, fracture and fatigue.
Manufacturing Systems
10 credits
10 credits
This module will deliver a broad course in manufacturing systems, and cover policy and logistical considerations that drive process solutions. It will enable you to work on manufacturing systems and assembly problems and cultivate a deep understanding of the systematic practice for current challenges in a modern manufacturing environment.
Dynamics and Control
10 credits
10 credits
The module aims to develop your knowledge and experience of analytic and simulative methods applied to modelling and control design of open loop and closed loop engineering systems.
Materials Engineering
10 credits
10 credits
This module provides you with an in-depth understanding of advanced engineering materials together with techniques for material property and performance improvements.
Computational Fluid Dynamics
10 credits
10 credits
The module will introduce you to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and will extend your experience, knowledge and skill with the aid of industry standard software.
Sensors and Robotics
10 credits
10 credits
This module aims to provide a comprehensive overview of possible deployment of sensor payloads for a variety of sensing applications. This will include a variety of imaging and inspection techniques enabled by robotic systems.
Finite Element Analysis
10 credits
10 credits
This module acts as a point of introduction to Finite Element theory using relevant software to carry out Finite Element studies.
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Teaching on the course is via a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, use of ICT, placement experience, online activities and independent learning.
Work-related Learning
The course has a strong element of work-related learning and you will have plenty of opportunities to look at practice in a wide variety of settings. You might also want to get an international perspective on your future career through work experience abroad or you could practice your teaching skills and get a feel for teaching during planned programme experiences or as voluntary activity.
Work experience is a vital element of your studies as it gives you a chance to put into practice what you have learnt during the course, and gain new skills as well. It will also add real value to your CV, giving you a head start when you come to negotiate your way around the competitive job market.
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
You will be assigned a personal tutor who will help and support you in your academic and personal progress throughout the course. This kind of one-to-one support is particularly useful for discussing course-related issues or concerns you may have during your studies.
Library Services teams also offer a fantastic range of support and guidance services, including online help guides, online chat facility and on-site help.
Our dedicated Student Advice and Wellbeing (SAW) team provide a wide range of services including accommodation advice, disability support, counselling and money matters.
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
We recognise that all students perform differently depending on how they are being assessed, which is why we use a combination of assessment methods. Coursework may therefore include essays, reports, presentations, newspapers, posters, diaries and a dissertation. Exams are limited to the main core modules.
Constructive feedback is important in helping you to identify your strengths and areas where you may need to put in more work, so this will be provided regularly as you progress through each module.
Where you will study
Based in the Education Building in the heart of the Mount Pleasant campus, the School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities and a nearby Forest School for outdoor learning. Students also benefit from independent study spaces, a close-by cafeteria and library, and access to student welfare and support.
Course tutors
Ange has a firm background in Educational and Child Psychology. She has worked in a range of schools as a teacher, in various settings as a person-centred counsellor, worked with children in play and art therapy and as a researcher and lecturer firstly at Edge Hill University and for the past 10 years at LJMU. Ange researched and published in the field of non-directive play therapy for a number of years. A joint project with Barnardos saw the development of support groups for siblings of disabled children, with peer-reviewed publications emerging from it. Her more recent research concerns the psychological impact of a diagnosis of dyslexia upon the individual higher education student with a focus on their self-esteem and self-concept in relation to their diagnosis. This research has implications for practice at university level.
Our team of specialist academics, practitioners and support staff are dedicated to ensure you receive a first-class education.
The course's strengths are the diverse range of topics covered, as well as the broad range of career options it ultimately gives you. I have now got a clear idea of the career path I hope to follow.
Career paths
However, if you choose to base your career on your primary specialism, there are openings within centres and community groups that focus on the needs of young children and their families.
Alternatively, your degree could lead to any number of careers such as in educational management, private nursery management, educational social work or any of the caring professions that involve young children.
Postgraduate Teacher Training
LJMU graduates who meet the entry criteria are guaranteed an interview for your chosen PGCE course.
Our PGCEs carry Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), so after successfully completing the one-year course, you will be qualified to teach the age range of students covered in your programme.
As well as our Core PGCE courses, we also offer salaried and non-salaried School-led courses with our partner schools across the North West.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.
Financial Support
The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications:
Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
International requirements
Other international requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
Your university life
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The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.