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28 August 2025

5 minutes read

5 Best Universities for Primary Education UK: Primary School Education Degree Courses for Indian Students

Dirghayu Kaushik
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Dirghayu Kaushik

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Founder & CEO

Dirghayu Kaushik is the co-founder and CEO of Ambitio. He started this platform because he’s been in your shoes—navigating confusing websites, second-guessing college choices, and trying to make sense of what actually matters in an application. A graduate of IIT BHU, Dirghayu combines personal experience with data-backed guidance to help students apply smarter. Whether it’s choosing the right course, building a standout profile, or writing essays that don’t feel forced, his mission is simple: to make getting into your dream university less overwhelming, and a little more honest.

22 August 2024

5 minutes read

Key Takeaways

  • Best universities for primary education UK prepare Indian students with teaching placements and undergraduate teacher training for a confident career in education.
  • Best universities for primary education UK rank high in education rankings and deliver strong results for undergraduate teaching.
  • Best universities for primary education UK offer undergraduate education degree courses with specialised research and practical school experience.

Choosing the right educational path can define a career for the rest of your life. For Indian students wishing to be a primary school teacher, the UK is a fantastic place to begin. The UK has some of the best teacher training programmes anywhere in the world, and currently grown at an astonishing rate.

With initial teacher training master’s, sometimes level 7, programmes now commonplace as well as undergraduate degrees general and postgraduate level. UK routes into teaching have excellent teaching-placements with high rankings for education and universities in league tables.

In this article, we will introduce the leading universities across the UK to study for Primary-Education Degrees, entry requirements, teaching-placements provided, and finally, how Indian students can become teachers with confidence and experience.

What is Primary Education Degree for Indian Students?

Did you know that primary school children spend over 5,000 hours with the same primary teaching staff, during there early years education? A primary-education degree prepares Indian students with the teaching skills to nurture young learners, throughout the UK.

A primary-education degree encompasses classroom-based teaching practice, academic education and initial teacher-training qualifications, preparing new teachers to confidently and effectively take their first step towards becoming a primary teacher.

best universities for primary education uk 1

What are the Key Features of a Primary-Education Degree program?

  • Provides a focused study of child development, early years education and a study of teaching and learning.
  • Offers UG degree level teaching in a primary school, as well as postgraduate level teacher-training programmes.
  • Provides teaching-placements and school study experience to combine academic education with classroom practice.

Why Pursue Primary Education Courses in Universities in the UK?

Fun Fact: The UK is home to some of the longest-running education institutions and has documented teacher education development for many hundreds of years. The UK gives Indian students an opportunity for a career in primary education with outstanding results for undergraduate initial teaching and postgraduate initial teaching opportunities.

Reasons for Choosing the UK:

  • Well respected league table rankings in education with a full range of universities throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.
  • Varieties of education and education based opportunities with strong placement-networks.
  • You will get the chance to have hands on teaching experience whilst you study, giving you structured practice of teaching.

Comparison Table: Studying Primary Education in the UK vs Other Countries

FeatureUK Universities for EducationOther Countries
Teacher-Training ProgrammeStructured with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)May not give QTS
Placement-OpportunitiesCompulsory school-teaching experience across regionsLimited or optional
Language RequirementsIELTS and/or TOEFL accepted by manyVaries by country
Career in EducationRecognised around world with strong career in primaryRecognition varies
University League PerformanceRanked high in educational rankingsDependent upon local institutions

5 Best Universities for Primary Education UK (University Rankings 2026)

Fun fact: UK universities still are the elite in preparing confident, primary teachers according to the university league and education rankings for 2025 – 2026. Indian students are accessing an education-degree with structured undergraduate university courses, in addition to PG courses and teaching-placements which contribute to the development of core teaching skills

1. University College London

University College London ranks very well in education overall at universities around the UK. In addition to program requirements, students are required to provide transcripts, GPA, personal statement, letter of recommendation, IELTS or TOEFL, and in some cases, ACT or SAT scores.

2. University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh in Scotland offers all of its students are the option for undergraduate teacher-training or postgraduate (PGCE) education. In addition to all program requirements, applicants provide a statement of purpose, resume, GRE or GMAT test scores or equivalents, and evidence of school experience.

3. Northumbria University

Northumbria University located in north east England offers undergraduate-education degree programmes, including teaching-placements.

best universities for primary education uk 2

Applicants submit all requirements, which plincluded transcripts, IELTS or TOEFL, a  personal statement, statement of purpose, and entry for teaching-placements in  classroom based teacher-training. 

4. University of East London

The University of East London based in London, offered us primary schools teacher degree with teaching-placement based training/degree. The applicant is required official transcripts, a resume, IELTS, any GPA proof (or current)’, and letter of recommendation in order to apply. 

5. London University

The University of London as a whole is a very popular university offering UG education and PG university teacher-training program. The applicant is required to apply with IELTS or TOEFL, GRE or GMAT (PG), transcripts, personal statement, and a record of school teaching experience. 

What are the Qualifications and Entry Requirements to Study Primary Education Programmes?

Did you know? Over 40,000 international students apply for undergraduate teacher-training programmes every year through UCAS in the UK. Entry criteria are put in place so that students are meeting the specification for practice of teaching and academic study.

Entry Criteria table for Indian Students:

Requirement CategoryUndergraduate Degree RequirementsPostgraduate PGCE/Other Programmes
Academic NeedsHigh school courses, high school GPA, ACT / SAT scoresUG degree / programme, transcripts, GPA
English Language TestsIELTS, TOEFLIELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT (sometimes)
Application DocumentsUCAS application, personal statement, letter of recommendationResume, statement of purpose, letters of reference
Additional RequirementsSchool teaching-experience, teaching placementTeaching practice, prior education include

How to Get a Degree in Primary Education With Qualified Teacher Status?

Did you know QTS is the gateway to teaching in primary or secondary UK schools? Indian Students must follow the structured pathway of UG education or PG teacher-training. 

Steps to qualifying as a QTS:

  • Complete undergraduate teacher-training or PGCE with teaching placements.
  • Gain teacher practice experience while you study based on supervised teacher practice and school experience.
  • Demonstrate any language requirements such as IELTS or TOEFL and get yourself familiar with what academic documents are required.

What Role Do Student Reviews Play in Primary School Education Studies?

Fun fact: Almost 70% of Indian students depend on student reviews when researching universities for their educational opportunities. Reviews can provide advice about the undergraduate teaching, teacher-training courses, placements, and results regarding undergraduate education. 

Why Reviews Matter:

  • Highlight the quality of teaching in undergraduate courses for primary schooling and PG courses for training purposes. 
  • Review a teacher’s abilities, placements, and practice of teaching. 
  • Guide students to compare their experiences in contrasting regions – East Midlands, East of England, London, North East England, North West England, Scotland, South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire.

Conclusion

Primary education in the UK brings a good mixture of academic study, placements and career in education opportunities for Indian students. They can follow structured UG degree and PG teacher-training programmes and journey towards becoming a qualified teacher.

Deciding to study a undergraduate teaching in primary schools degree in the UK guarantees a long list of benefits to students, including had UK higher education outstanding results for undergraduate teaching, and universities offering undergraduate education degree programmes.

The specialised range of education and educational research faculties ensures students receive enough academic quality and undergraduate teacher training. Programmes such as the ones including education give prospective teachers meet the minimum requirements, and a educational pathways to confidently develop their career. 

You can take the first step with confidence by contacting Ambitio for free counselling and good advice today.

FAQs

What are the best universities for primary education UK for Indian students?

The best universities for primary education UK include University College London, University of Edinburgh, and Northumbria University, offering excellent teacher training and undergraduate education degree programmes.

Why choose the best universities for primary education UK instead of studying elsewhere?

The best universities for primary education UK provide placements, Qualified Teacher Status pathways, and high results for undergraduate teaching, making them globally recognised and career-focused.

Do the best universities for primary education UK require entrance exams?

Yes, the best universities for primary education UK often require IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT, depending on whether you apply for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.

What documents are needed to apply to the best universities for primary education UK?

Applications to the best universities for primary education UK usually require transcripts, GPA, resume, letter of recommendation, personal statement, and sometimes a statement of purpose.

How do placements work at the best universities for primary education UK?

Placements at the best universities for primary education UK are built into teacher training programmes, giving students classroom experience while studying.

Can postgraduate students apply to the best universities for primary education UK?

Yes, postgraduate students can apply to the best universities for primary education UK through PGCE and related pathways that combine education research with teaching practice.

Do student reviews help when selecting the best universities for primary education UK?

Yes, reviews of the best universities for primary education UK provide insights into teaching quality, school experience, and placements, helping students choose confidently.

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