Everything you need to know...
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How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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What is the UCAS code?
2MW8
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When do I start?
September 2024
Course summary
- Train to become an early years teacher in just one year
- Discover the ways you can support young children's learning and development
- Experience a diverse range of placements with the potential for future employment
- Master the creative and practical skills to shape the future lives of children
- Develop your professional skills in management, teamwork and leadership
This course is for those who want to, and already do, work in settings such as nurseries, foundation stages, and private daycare. Because we’re rated ‘Outstanding’ for our Early Childhood Education and Care (Ofsted, 2017), you’ll get the highest standard of teaching.
How you learn
What it's like to study a PGCE course
What it's like to study a PGCE course at the Sheffield Hallam University
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.
You’ll join our dynamic community of students, researchers and academics at the Sheffield Institute of Education. We’re one of the UK’s largest providers of teacher training, supporting 1,000 new teachers every year.
Because we partner with more than 600 schools and colleges in the region, you’ll have every opportunity to gain experience and network with leading educational providers.
You learn through:
- Seminars
- Group and individual study
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Target setting and reflection
- Group workshops
While most of our teaching takes place on campus, we also offer some hybrid taught days which allow you to join us online if you choose.
Key themes
This course is structured around four key curriculum blocks – including child development, curriculum in practice, relational pedagogy and professionalism in practice.
We deliver our carefully sequenced curriculum in an environment of high challenge and low threat. You’ll consider ways young children learn and develop with our Curriculum in Practice teaching, providing you with the scope and richness of Early Years practice.
These blocks blend with relational pedagogy, which is at the heart of learning and development. Your professional learning journey leads you to become an early years teacher who acts with integrity and accountability, demonstrating high levels of professionalism.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop the appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes to work with children, families, carers and professionals. You’ll learn how to review, evaluate and lead changes to teaching practice that result in improved outcomes for children.
Course support
We’re a dedicated, qualified, and highly experienced teaching team – with world-leading research and recognised professional creative reputations – who take the time to get to know you.
Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:
- Specialist Hallam tutors and school-based mentors
- Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Career support for up to five years after graduating
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
Student View
Applied learning
We champion applied learning and have partnered with over 600 schools and colleges so that you can put your learning into practice.
Placements
During your course, you’ll either be in your workplace with one contrasting placement or be on placement at two contrasting early years settings, where you’ll plan and deliver teaching to children aged between 0-5 years. You’ll be supported by both your setting-based mentor and your University Link Tutor.
Placements are arranged on a bespoke basis to support your career aspirations beyond the course. After each placement, you’ll share your experiences at group workshops. You’ll be asked to reflect on your goals through our digital placement portal and set yourself relevant learning targets.
Live projects
Gain additional skills by undertaking interesting and relevant small-scale research projects within the academic modules. Previously, this has included improving outdoor learning environments, introducing Makaton (a visual way to develop communication skills), developing creative play activities for babies, reinvigorating a book corner, and creating superhero mark-making activities for boys’ writing.
Field trips
We offer opportunities for you to go on local study trips. Previously, this has included visits to Grindleford, the Early Years Community Research Nursery, English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision, local forest schools and age-appropriate first aid training – plus workshops to learn about Makaton.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Teaching in early years settings and schools, including Private, Voluntary or Independent (PVI) settings, academies and maintained nursery schools
- Teaching abroad in international early years settings
You could also progress to further study at Masters level – e.g. our Masters in Education
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
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries, modern cafes and study spaces designed by our students.
Most of our teaching is conducted in person at our City Campus, right in the heart of Sheffield. Here you’ll have access to industry-standard teaching facilities and equipment, including our early childhood specialist room – a realistic classroom environment resourced with books, equipment and activities for young children.
Entry requirements
All students
Normally GCSE grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and mathematics and science, or equivalent, plus one of the following
• 2.2 degree or above
• current employment as a teacher, practitioner or manager in an early years foundation stage class or setting
You can apply before achieving the GCSE requirements, however, they must be passed before the start of the course.
Selection event
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.
See our selection event guidance for this course.
As you will be working with children, 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 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
Employment-based requirements
For the period of training all applicants must be employed at a school, academy, independent school or an early years setting. You will not perform more than 90% of the duties normally completed by a full-time early years teacher.
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, email 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.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Exploring An Aspect Of Early Years Through Collaborative Development
Professional Practice: 3 To 11
Professional Practice: Birth To 3
Reflecting On Approaches To Teaching
Fees and funding
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, education and childhood studies courses (PDF, 257.5KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.