Everything you need to know...
-
What is the fee?
Home: £9,250 for the course
International/EU: £17,205 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
-
Where will I study?
-
What is the UCAS code?
X121
-
When do I start?
September 2024
Employability
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 94% in highly skilled employment or further study (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Course summary
- Study the early years foundation stage (EYFS) and KS1 primary curriculum.
- Develop your practice through integrated university and school-based training.
- Gain the skills and creativity you need to design and deliver engaging learning experiences.
- Develop strong subject expertise with an emphasis on creative and explorative teaching approaches.
- Complete placements to gain school-based experience and reflect on your progress.
Our PGCE Early Years and Primary Education (3-7) course with QTS is designed to equip you with the skills required to teach children in Early Years settings and in Key Stage 1. Because we’re rated ‘Outstanding’ for our early years and primary teacher status (Ofsted, 2017), you’ll get the highest standard of teaching. As part of the course, you’ll also gain 60 credits towards a Masters qualification.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
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.
A large proportion of your studies will be spent on school-based placements where you will benefit from working alongside skilled practitioners who place value on collaboration, creativity and inclusive practice.
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. Specialist tutors and mentors will support your development during school-based training and university-based learning.
You learn through:
- School-based learning
- A blended approach to teaching
- Collaboration with other students
- Research-informed practice
- Innovative teaching approaches
Key themes
You’ll have a rich training and teaching experience in the full range of subjects that make up the EYFS and national curriculum.
You’ll study the core subjects of English, mathematics and science – plus the foundation subjects for Key Stage 1 and all aspects of the early years foundation stage. In particular we’ll emphasise creative and explorative approaches to teaching.
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 time, you’ll receive personalised a range of dedicated support, such as:
- Specialist Hallam tutors and school-based mentors
- Each student will have an Academic Advisor who will see you regularly and support you throughout your PGCE
- 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 qualifying
Course leaders and tutors
Sally Hinchliff
Senior Lecturer Modern Foreign Languages, Primary & SecondaryI took up my post at Sheffield Hallam University in September 2012; having been Head of Modern Foreign Languages in an inner city secondary school for several years. … Read more
Applied learning
You will experience training in a number of settings including two placements, one in early years and one in key stage 1. In total you will have the opportunity to spend a minimum of 120 days in school over the course of your PGCE year.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Teaching in primary and early years schools and settings
- International teaching roles
You could also progress to further study at Masters level.
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
Most of our teaching is conducted in person at our city campus, where you’ll have access to excellent facilities and learning resources. You’ll also be supported by a range of blended learning experiences to further support your studies.
We’ve investing £250 million in new facilities over the next five years. This means students have access to new, innovative, and flexible spaces to study and relax in, making their student experience even better.
Entry requirements
All students
Normally you need:
• GCSE grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and mathematics and science, or equivalent. 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.
• A 2.2 degree or above.
• 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
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 And Developing Pedagogical Practice In Early Years And/Or Primary Education
Professional Practice In Early Years And/Or Primary Education
Reflecting On Professional Practice And Development In Early Years And/Or Primary Education
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £9,250 for the course. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy.
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.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £17,205 for the course.
Scholarships and bursaries
If you are starting a PGCE you may be entitled to financial support.
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.