PGCE Early Years FAQs

Thank you for your interest in our PGCE Early Years programmes. 

We have provided responses to the questions we are most frequently asked by prospective applicants to help you learn more about the programmes and the application process.
 
Please note that applications for the PGCE Early Years programmes for September 2026 entry are now closed.
 

When will applications open for September 2027 entry?

Applications for September 2027 entry will open once we have received confirmation from the Department for Education (DfE) of our recruitment allocation. We typically receive this information in late October and will update our website as soon as confirmation is received.


How do I apply for the course?

Applications should be submitted through our online application service (RISIS)


Which of the two PGCE Early Years programmes should I apply for?
We offer two PGCE Early Years routes:

  • Graduate Entry (GE) – Mainstream Route: Suitable for applicants who hold an undergraduate degree but are not currently employed in an Early Years setting.
  • Graduate Entry (GEB) – Employment-Based Route: Suitable for applicants who hold an undergraduate degree and are currently employed in a UK Early Years setting, such as a day nursery.

 What qualification will I be awarded at the end of my programme?Successful graduates will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Early Years and Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).

What are the entry requirements?

Applicants must hold:

  • A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject area.
  • GCSE Mathematics, English Language and Science (either Combined Science or a single core science subject) at Grade 4/C or above, or an equivalent qualification.

Please note that Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and other Level 5 qualifications are not accepted as equivalent to a bachelor's degree for entry.

Applicants must also provide two satisfactory academic or professional references and successfully complete required safeguarding checks, including:

  • A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
  • An online Occupational Health Fitness to Teach assessment.

If you have lived outside the UK for more than six months during the last five years, you will also be required to provide a police clearance certificate or equivalent document from the relevant country. Further guidance will be provided if you receive an offer.

Do I need relevant work experience?

For the Graduate Entry (GE) programme, you do not need to be currently employed in an Early Years setting. However, successful applicants are usually able to demonstrate an understanding of the Early Years Teacher role through relevant paid or voluntary experience with young children. We therefore strongly recommend gaining experience through work, volunteering or observation in an Early Years setting before applying.

For the Graduate Entry Employment-Based (GEB) programme, applicants must be currently employed in a UK Early Years setting.

Will I be required to attend an interview?

Yes. All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview, either online or on campus. 


Do you offer this programme online or on a part-time basis?

No. The programme is offered on a full-time basis only. Students are required to attend taught sessions on campus and must be based in the UK to undertake placements.

Is there an application deadline?

The Graduate Entry (GE) programme is highly competitive and places are limited by the DfE allocation. We therefore encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. Applications will close once all available places have been filled.

The Graduate Entry Employment-Based (GEB) programme typically receives fewer applications and may remain open for a longer period, subject to available places.

When will I hear the outcome of my application?


Due to the exceptionally high volume of applications typically received for this programme, it may take up to 6 weeks for applications to be reviewed. We appreciate your patience while we process applications.

I have not yet submitted my application and the course has now closed to new applications.  Is there a chance it will re-open?

Due to the high volume of application received we usually fill all available places from the first applicant pool.

However, if more places become available, applications may reopen later in the recruitment cycle. Any updates will be published on this page and on the PGCE Early Years course page. We recommend checking these pages from early April onwards for updates.

Can I defer my application to next year if I don't get a place this year?

No. Applicants who are unsuccessful or who do not take up a place must submit a new application in the next recruitment cycle.

As programme places are allocated annually by the DfE, we cannot guarantee future availability until our allocation has been confirmed. Applications for the next cycle will open once we receive this confirmation, usually in late October.

What financial support is available?

Tuition fees for both PGCE Early Years programmes are fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE).

Students on the Graduate Entry mainstream (GE) programme are responsible for meeting their own living costs during the course. Eligible UK students may apply for a maintenance loan through Student Finance England, Wales or Scotland.

Students on the Graduate Entry Employment-Based (GEB) programme remain in employment throughout the programme.

Are there any bursaries or scholarships available?

The DfE provides a bursary for eligible students on the Graduate Entry (GE) programme who hold a first-class, upper second-class (2:1) or lower second-class (2:2) honours degree.  Further information is available on the Get into Teaching Early Years website. 
 

No separate application is required. Eligible students will automatically receive the bursary in ten monthly instalments after enrolment, with the first payment normally made in October.

The University does not currently offer additional scholarships for this programme.

Can I work while undertaking the programme?

The Graduate Entry (GE) programme is intensive and includes substantial placement requirements. Students may therefore undertake only very limited additional employment. Any employment must not involve working with children in any capacity.

Students on the Graduate Entry Employment-Based (GEB) programme continue in their existing employment throughout their studies.

How many placements will I need to undertake and will I need to find placements myself?

Graduate Entry (GE) students undertake three placements during the programme. This includes a non-assessed Key Stage 1 (KS1) placement in a primary school, working with children aged 5–7, and two extended placements in different Early Years settings. One of these is typically a specialist placement, often within a special educational needs (SEN) nursery. Students must demonstrate experience across the full birth-to-five age range in order to meet the requirements for Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).

Graduate Entry Employment-Based (GEB) students complete the majority of their training within their current Early Years setting. In addition, they are required to undertake a KS1 placement in a primary school and a second assessed placement in a different setting, working with an age group with which they have limited experience. This ensures they gain experience across the full birth-to-five age range.

GE students are responsible for arranging their KS1 placement, while the Programme Director coordinates the two Early Years placements. GEB students are responsible for arranging both their KS1 placement and their second assessed placemen

If I join the employment-based programme, what support would my employer be expected to provide?

The expectations of the programme are that you would attend university on a Tuesday afternoon and evening from September to support you with undertaking the two Masters modules.

 

You would undertake the majority of the placement expectations in your own setting. However, there is a requirement that you complete a ten-day KS1 placement which takes place in the autumn term over 10 weeks. You are then required to undertake a placement in a different setting to your own for a maximum of 60 hours depending on your experience. You would be working with an age range of children that you have the least experience of working with on this placement.

Your employer would need to support you to attend university and these placements. They would also need to identify a member of staff to be your mentor . Your mentor will meet with you on a regular basis and complete observation of your practice for your portfolio. Your employer would receive an employer incentive of £7,000 to support you in undertaking the programme, e.g. releasing you from ratios so that you can attend university and placements.

Student Visa questions

Does the university sponsor student visas for this programme?

The University will provide student visa sponsorship for students joining the Graduate Entry mainstream route only. 

How much money will I need to show that I have to support myself for my student visa application

You can find full details of the financial evidence you will need to show and other student visa information on the UK Government Student Visa pages. You will need to show that you meet the student maintenance requirements at the time you apply for your Student visa (currently £10,539) in an approved format to cover your living costs.  

You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and the student visa application fee.

Can I bring dependents with me to the UK if I have a student visa?

No, the Home Office and Department for Education (DfE) have confirmed that receiving DfE funding does not allow international students to sponsor dependants.  This is because there is no scholar/sponsor relationship between a funded student and the DfE. 

Can I apply for a Graduate visa (previously known as post-study work visa) at the end of the programme?

Yes, on successful completion of the PGCE Early Years programme you will be eligible to apply for a Graduate Visa.  You can find further information on Graduate Visa eligibility on the UK Government Graduate Visa pages.

Who should I contact if I have a question that is not answered on this page?

Please contact the teacher training admissions team if you have a question that is not covered on this page.