Program Overview

Introduction to the PGCE Early Years Graduate Employment-based (GEB) Programme

The Graduate Employment-based (GEB) programme is designed for individuals who have an undergraduate degree and are currently employed within an Early Years setting in the UK.

Programme Overview

On successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded a PGCE in Early Years and gain EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status).

Entry Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in any subject and GCSEs in Maths, English, and a Science (either combined Science or a core science) at Grade 4 (or C), or an equivalent qualification, is required for entry to this programme.
  • Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) or similar Level 5 qualifications are not acceptable.
• Two acceptable professional or academic references are required.
• Mandatory safeguarding checks are required, including:
  • DBS (criminal records check)
  • An online Fitness to Teach Occupational Health assessment
• If an applicant has lived outside the UK for more than 6 months in the last five years, they will also need to obtain a letter of good conduct or police certificate from the relevant country.

Programme Structure and Requirements

• The programme is full-time, and students must be based in the UK for placements and attend taught sessions at the university.
• For the Graduate Entry employment-based (GEB) programme, students will need to be currently employed within an Early Years setting in the UK.
• All short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview, either online or on campus.
• GEB students complete the majority of the programme within their own early years workplace but also need to complete:
  • A school-based KS1 placement
  • A second assessed placement with children that they have limited experience of working with, in order to meet the requirement for experience across the birth to five age range
• GEB students arrange their KS1 and second assessed placement.

Financial Support

• The tuition fees for the GEB programme are paid by the UK Department for Education (DfE), so students will not need to pay any tuition fees for this programme.
• There are no bursaries or scholarships available for the GEB programme.
• For the Graduate entry - employment-based (GEB) programme, students will continue in their employment, as the programme is designed to be undertaken while working.