Everything you need to know...
Course summary
- Gain skills in teaching early literacy including reading, mathematics and numeracy.
- Understand children's development and how they learn through play.
- Develop your theoretical knowledge of child development, pedagogy and the key areas of Early Years Foundation Stage.
This course is designed for graduates with limited experience of working with children aged 0-5 years. Your studies are based around extended placements in at least two different early years settings to give you the confidence, skills and experience to work across the 0-5 age range.
Student View
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
This course is professional and vocational in nature and has, as its primary aim, the development and supply of competent early years teachers who will be capable of securing employment in an education and care setting.
You learn through
- lectures
- seminars
- group and individual study
- tutorials
- work placements
Course leaders and tutors

Lynne Truelove
Senior Lecturer In Early YearsAs a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, I currently teach and mentor on the Early Years Teacher programme, and also the Foundation Degree in Early Years
Applied learning
Work placements
This is a one-year course during which you will spend the majority of your time on placement with the two age phases covered by the course (children aged 0-3 years and 3-5 years).
You are briefed on the expectations of the role of a professional teacher and will experience some of the demands of employment first-hand while on placement. You are required to reflect on your development against current professional standards and to action plan to promote further progression ready for employment.
Networking opportunities
Experienced practitioners from the workplace support the course design and development. They are also a key part of the selection and recruitment process so that we recruit students who have the potential to be high quality and highly employable teachers.
You are supported in the process of applying for new teaching posts.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- early years teaching
- children's centre teaching
- nursery teaching
- academia
- research
- family support
- non-government organisation (NGO) administrative and research
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- private nurseries
- preschools and children's centres
- nursery classes
- reception classes
- nursery schools
Recognition
By meeting the standards for Early Years Teacher Status, you are recognised as an Early Years Teacher (0-5) with EYTS by the Departement for Education (DfE).
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
Normally GCSE grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and mathematics and science, or equivalent.
• 2.2 degree or above
Where applicants have achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above in English literature only we will look for further evidence of a breadth of achievement in English.
You must
• complete a declaration of criminal convictions and health check forms.
Candidates who are successful will demonstrate a sound understanding of teaching and how children learn, where possible within a school setting. We encourage all candidates to evidence their understanding by drawing on related examples or experiences, such as time spent in schools or other learning settings. Demonstrating an ability to make links between experience and knowledge, and their proposed career would be desirable.
If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to a selection event and you should present a passport or photo driving license. You can present other forms of photo ID for the selection event, but if you do, you will still need to present valid identity documents required by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) prior to starting your course.
If English is not your first language, you must have an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills or equivalent. For equivalents see our English language entry requirements
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling you must complete all the professional checks that are required as part of entry for the course:
Suitability Declaration
You must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission suitability declaration form provided during the admissions process:
- unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
- involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
- involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
- if you have ever been removed from a teacher training programme as a result of your behaviour, or would have been removed if you had not left the programme
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check
- you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
- you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) as part of the DBS application process
- if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
- where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Academic Administration Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.
- In addition to this all those who are made an offer of a place will be checked against the DfE children’s barred list.
Occupational Health Screening
You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.
Other background checks
All applicants that have accepted an offer will also be checked against the prohibition list to ensure you are not:
- subject to a prohibition order issued by the Secretary of State
- prohibited to teach in another country of the European Economic Area (EEA)
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please notify the Academic Administration team immediately by emailing tedss@shu.ac.uk.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, contact our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Module | Credits |
---|---|
Module: Exploring An Aspect Of Early Years Through Collaborative Development | Credits: 30 |
Module: Professional Practice: 3 To 11 | Credits: - |
Module: Professional Practice: Birth To 3 | Credits: - |
Module: Reflecting On Approaches To Teaching | Credits: 30 |
Fees and funding
Home students
Fees are paid by DfE.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Teaching and education courses (PDF, 255.5KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.