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Study elementary education abroad
An in-depth guide to studying elementary education as an international student.
Elementary education degrees abroad
Elementary education programs prepare individuals with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to effectively teach children in the earliest years of their formal education.
You’ll learn about child psychology, teaching methods, types of learners, and classroom management. You’ll be equipped with the tools and confidence to teach fundamental skills and concepts in classroom settings, including reading, writing, basic mathematics, and problem-solving.
Today’s classrooms are increasingly diverse and home to children from various countries and cultures. By studying elementary education abroad, you’ll develop the experience and empathy needed to relate to children, no matter their background. You’ll see how teaching techniques vary overseas and can use what you’ve learned to inform and improve your own practice.
Elementary education program structure
You can study both undergraduate and postgraduate elementary education programs. A bachelor’s degree is the most common course of study and is offered as either a BA or BSc over three to four years.
Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s in elementary education, or if you already have a degree in another subject, you can apply to study one of the following master’s degrees: MA, MS, or Master of Education (MEd). These usually take one or two years to finish, depending on whether you study full or part-time.
If you want to work as an elementary school teacher in the US, you’ll need a valid license that you’ll gain once you’ve finished your BA. Some states will also require a master’s degree.
Teaching works a little differently in the UK. After finishing gaining your bachelor’s in primary education, you’ll become a newly-qualified teacher and will begin a supervised induction program in a school. If you’ve got a bachelor’s in another subject, you’ll need a post-graduate certificate in education (PGCE), which is the equivalent of a master’s.
After gaining your master’s you can go onto pursue a PhD, which typically takes five years to complete. You’ll gather knowledge through lectures, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one tutorials. One of the best ways to accelerate your learning is to gain hands-on experience in classroom environments. So, for most programs, you’ll need to complete placements in local schools.
The exact content and structure of elementary education programs vary from university to university. However, there are some core areas of study you can expect to encounter, including:
- Key concepts in elementary education
- Learning and teaching in the elementary years
- Introduction to childhood psychology
- Contemporary issues in childhood
- Introduction to planning
- Legislation, policies, and procedures in elementary education
- Inclusive education and practice
- Assessing and evaluating teaching and learning
Best universities to study elementary education
How to study elementary education abroad
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Elementary education study abroad programs
Elementary education undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in elementary education
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Elementary Education - BScEd Trine University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
33,650 USD
Fee in university's local currency 33,650 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
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Education (Elementary Education P-5) - BA Midway University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
24,500 USD
Fee in university's local currency 24,500 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Education - Elementary Education - BSED Baylor University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
44,544 USD
Fee in university's local currency 44,544 USD
- Start date
- -
-
Education: Elementary Education - BSED University of Vermont, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
41,280 USD
Fee in university's local currency 41,280 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
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Elementary Education (Mathematics) - BSED Central Michigan University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,936 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,936 USD
- Start date
- May, August
Associate in elementary education
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Elementary Education - ASc Southwestern Oregon Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,791 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,791 USD
- Start date
- September, January, March, June
-
Elementary Education - AA Moraine Valley Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,408 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,408 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
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Elementary Education - AA Lake Land College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,500 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,500 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
Elementary education graduate programs
Master's in elementary education
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Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education - MSEd Florida A&M University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
25,868 USD
Fee in university's local currency 25,868 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Elementary Education - MEd DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,960 USD
Fee in university's local currency 20,960 USD
- Start date
- January, March, September
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Elementary Education - MSc Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,536 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,536 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Elementary Education - Reading - MEd Southeast Missouri State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,990 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,990 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Elementary Education with Middle School Endorsement - MA/MAT William Paterson University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,454 USD
Fee in university's local currency 20,454 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Doctorate in elementary education
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Elementary Education, K-6 - EdS University of West Alabama, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,680 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,680 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Certificate in elementary education
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Elementary Education (Alternative Licensure Certificate) - GradCert Eastern New Mexico University, USA
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,314 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,314 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Future elementary education careers
As an elementary education graduate, you’ll have the tools that you need to begin a rewarding and fulfilling career in early-years education. You’ll also have acquired plenty of transferable skills that could be applied to a wide range of professional roles. Here are some of the most common graduate careers:
- Elementary school teacher
- Early years practitioner
- Nursery manager
- Classroom assistant
- Youth sports coach
- Special educational needs practitioner
- Family services worker
Whichever role you decide to pursue, it’s a good idea to gain as much work experience as possible. Work with your university’s career service to see if you can organize any additional placement and internship opportunities that will improve your employability.
