PGCE Early Years Education
GTTR code X121Attendance
Full-time
Full-time one year
At a glance
About this course
This course equips those graduates with a good honours degree with the skills needed for the demanding task of teaching in nursery and infant schools. It develops the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm you need to motivate young childrens learning.
You study the core subjects of English mathematics science information and communication technology. You also learn the foundation stage subjects and curriculum. As part of the course you gain credit towards a masters qualification.
Much of your expertise is built through your school and nursery placements, supported by University-based learning. Your first placement is in Key Stage 1. It begins with two preparation days followed by an observation week, culminating in a six week block placement.
The second placement is in a foundation stage setting with observation and preparation days, followed by a nine week block placement.
We offer the course in partnership with local and regional primary, infant and nursery schools. These play a key role in teaching and assessment, particularly in relation to your professional competence.
Associated careers
Successfully completing the course qualifies you to teach in maintained primary, infant and nursery schools in England and Wales. You may also take up posts overseas in teaching and related employment.
Our primary and early years provision has high quality ratings and our former PGCE students have a high success rate in gaining employment as teachers.
Course content
Modules
The course is made up of modules which integrate experience in schools and nurseries with professional and curriculum studies.
Modules are 37 science 37 mathematics communication, language and literacy in the early years professional practice professional studies wider curriculum studies.
Assessment
Your academic work is assessed by written coursework assignments. Your teaching is assessed in schools and by school based mentors. You record evidence of your progress towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in a professional development portfolio.
This course is assessed at masters level and we expect most students to achieve this. However, some students may not attain this level of academic work. These students may be awarded a Professional Certificate in Education, provided they have passed all elements of the course at undergraduate level, and have met all the standards for QTS.
Entry requirements
2013 entry requirements
Normally GCSE grade A or B in English and mathematics, although we consider applicants with grade C and a wider profile. Your wider profile may include experience of working in related settings, demonstrating how your existing skills will contribute to your achievement as a teacher, or providing evidence of working at a higher level in these subjects through further qualifications. We also require a grade C in science. You must already hold the GCSE requirements before applying for the course.
Plus
a 2.1 degree or above, or a 2.2 degree plus evidence of at least one year's work experience in a foundation stage or primary school setting, for example employment as a teaching assistant or unqualified teacher.
evidence of at least 15 days recent foundation stage or primary school teaching experience with five of these days as continuous teaching (gained in the two years before your application).
For entry in 2013 onwards there will be national pre-entry tests in literacy and numeracy.
Download our application experience guidelines for more information about experience requirements and interview advice for this course. This document includes important information about your application. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being unsuccessful.
If you are invited to interview you will need to download the work reference template and bring this completed with you to your interview.
If English is not your first language you typically need an IELTS 6.0 score with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
As you will be working with children, you must complete a declaration of criminal convictions and health check forms.
We welcome applications from people seeking a career change into primary teaching. We actively encourage applications from those groups under-represented in teacher education to ensure the teaching profession represents the diverse nature of present day UK society.
For further information about entry requirements, please contact the admissions office on 0114 225 5555.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £9,000 for the course
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,980 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
How to apply
All applications must be made through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). Apply on-line at www.gttr.ac.uk or phone 0871 468 0 469.