Eve studied BA (Hons) Primary Education (accelerated) at Leeds Beckett, graduating in 2024. Here, she shares her story of joining Leeds Beckett through Clearing, what she enjoyed about her course, and why it was a great decision to study it.

Course: BA (Hons) Primary Education (accelerated)

I can't remember the exact words used by the person who answered my phone call to Leeds Beckett clearing on the 18 August 2022. But, as I stand here now almost two years later, having just celebrated my graduation ceremony and achieving a first-class degree, I can still clearly recall the feelings of dread, worry and uncertainty that filled me as I made the phone call.

If someone asked me to describe my experience of A level results day 2022 at any point between the day itself and my first day at Leeds Beckett University, I would've likely referred to it as "one of the worst mornings of my life".

I'd not received the A level results I both needed and wanted to meet the conditions of my previous offers from Leeds Beckett. As a result, I began to feel my aspirations of becoming a Primary School teacher being left behind, feeling as though it was no longer something that was attainable for me.

Now I'm able to look back on this day with a feeling of contentment and relief as it was my unexpected A level results and further contact with Leeds Beckett University during Clearing that led me to enrol on the BA (Hons) Primary Education (accelerated) degree.

This degree wasn't one that I was initially aware of when I applied to Leeds Beckett University many months earlier. The thought of having to complete a three-year degree in two years was one that I was initially apprehensive of, having been disheartened by my unexpected A level results. I was unsure of whether I would be able to keep up with the pace of an accelerated degree and the possible workload that may come with this.

Regardless of my concerns, I enrolled on the course and can honestly say that I have not looked back since. While yes, the workload is increased, and the pace is heightened to that of an average three-year course, the support provided by the staff both involved with the course and within Leeds Beckett University aided me immensely with any overwhelming feelings that may have arisen during my time at Leeds Beckett.

Throughout my two years completing the BA (Hons) Primary Education (accelerated) degree, I was never in a position where I was left feeling out of my depth. While I can attribute some of this to pushing myself to remain motivated and consistent, a large part of this came from the continuous contact and reassurance provided by the course and module leaders working within this course.

While studying for this degree, the class size never exceeded more than 35 students. I found this to be something that helped me immensely throughout my time at university, as a smaller class size allowed me to develop a much more personal relationship with both my classmates and teachers. When faced with a class size in the hundreds or more, it would be much harder to access the one-on-one time and guidance that I felt was continuously accessible to me.

The BA (Hons) Primary Education (accelerated) degree allows students to complete both Level 4 and Level 5 within a one-year time frame, with two work-based placements also occurring as part of two modules completed in this year.

The fast-paced nature of this degree is not for everyone, however, it's something that I feel has provided me with numerous advantages. The increased pace of this course allowed me to work on my time-management skills, adaptability and ability to work under pressure, skills that I feel will aid me greatly as I apply for permanent job roles in the future.

As well as this, for students such as myself that are hoping to progress on to study an MA and possibly a PGCE, this course allows you to obtain a degree a whole year earlier than a three-year course allows - providing both an extra year of time and finances to do so.

The modules within this course provide a wide range of insights into the technicalities of teaching and understanding children at great depths as well as allowing for opportunities to put this knowledge into practice.

I felt that the information included within these modules is also well designed to support students in choosing their dissertation subject, providing a variety of opinions and educational aspects for students to explore before focusing in on one as part of their final dissertation submission.

When I began this course two years ago, I was lacking greatly in motivation, self-belief and inspiration. In September of this year, I'm due to start my MA in Education and full of confidence regarding my own abilities. I feel that this accentuates the effect that the BA (Hons) Primary Education (accelerated) degree has had on my own self-belief and future motivation.

While I'm only able to speak from my own experience, and I do understand that an accelerated route is not one that everyone may wish to take, for those that it may appeal to, it's something I can't recommend enough. I have felt continuously supported while also being prompted to express my opinions and explore my own interests and beliefs.

As I now look back on A level results day 2022, I no longer view it as "one of the worst days of my life", and instead look at it as the day my future took a different turn and led me on a path where I was able to grow my confidence freely and push myself to my fullest potential.