Early Years Education (with Early Years Teacher Status) MA
About
Do you want to work with children from birth to five years old (including Reception) in the public and private sectors? Achieve Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) in just one year with this Masters-level course.
Early Years learning primarily focuses on the following ideas:
what constitutes â€کquality' in Early Years education?
equity, inclusion and justice for the pre-school child and the wider family
ideas of communication, imagination, language and literacy, and provision for the bi/trilingual child
understandings of early mathematical and scientific development
discourses of nurture, care and attachment.
On this MA, there are two routes available:
an employment-based route for people already working in an Early Years setting
a placement route for those not currently working in the sector.
As a student on the employment-based route, you'd normally work in an Early Years setting within about 90 minutes' travelling distance from our campus. This is so you can attend teaching on campus as well as work within your placement setting. University staff also need to be able to support you on your placement.
As a student on the graduate route, we'd seek to place you within similar travelling distance of our campus. We welcome applicants currently not living within 90 minutes of campus. Please note that, if your application is successful, we would expect you to relocate so we can give you the appropriate level of support in your work and studies.
This course is currently funded by the UK Government. There is currently no fee to pay for UK students. There are also training bursaries if you're on the employment based route. Find out more on the UK Government web pages.
Requirements
Entry Requirements
Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or 75%.
If you are a graduate:
your qualification can be in any subject.
If you are currently working in the Early Years sector:
your qualification can be in any subject
you must be currently working in a UK school or nursery in an Early Years or Foundation class setting.
You must have achieved a GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English, maths and a science subject.
Note: If you have achieved Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) you are eligible to apply for the course. You can't receive funding from the government, but you may be eligible for exemption from the practice-based course modules, and still be awarded an Early Years Education MA on a self-funding basis. Email [email protected] for more information.
English Program Requirements
English language requirements
All teaching at Sussex is in the English language and you must be sufficiently fluent in English to be able to benefit from your education.
If your first language is not English you will need to demonstrate that you meet the University’s English language requirements for the degree you have applied for. You can do this in a number of ways:
take an English language proficiency test, such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
provide evidence from other English qualifications that confirm your language level
provide evidence that you meet one of our English language exemptions, or
successfully pass the Sussex Centre for Language Studies pre-sessional English course.
If you have not taken an English language test yet, or do not have a current valid test score, you can still apply for courses, but any offer you receive will normally be conditional on meeting our language requirement.
Our English language requirements
Details of our specific English language requirements for each course are shown in the entry requirements section for each of our undergraduate courses.
We have two main levels of English, depending on the course applied for: standard and advanced. The standard requirement applies to most degrees; the advanced requirement is needed for the Social Work BA and Primary and Early Years Education (with Qualified Teacher Status) BA.
IELTS
In terms of IELTS, these two levels are as follows:
Standard
Advanced
An IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing)
An IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in each component (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing)
The only course that does not use one of these two levels is our Medicine BMBS, which requires an IELTS score of 7.5 overall and not less than 7.0 in each section.
We would expect English language proficiency tests to have been achieved within the two years prior to starting your course.
Evidence of English language ability
We accept a range of different English language proficiency tests and other English language qualifications and students from certain countries are exempt from our English language requirements.
Proficiency tests
Cambridge Certificate in ADVANCED English (CAE)
Advanced – 185 overall, including at least 176 in each skill Standard – 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. For more information about the CAE, please see Cambridge English: Advanced.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Advanced – 185 overall, including at least 176 in each skill Standard – 169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. For more information about the CPE, please see Cambridge English: Proficiency.
Duolingo English test
Advanced – 140 overall with no component below 125 Standard – 120 overall with no component below 100
Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
We would expect the Duolingo English test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
Find out more information about the test.
IELTS (Academic)
Advanced – 7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component Standard – 6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component
Please refer to our undergraduate courses to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
We will also accept the IELTS Indicator Test.
If you are applying for degree-level study we can consider your IELTS test from any test centre, but if you require a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for an English language or in-person pre-sessional English course (not combined with a degree) the test must be taken at a UKVI-approved IELTS test centre. For more information about IELTS, please see the IELTS website.
Pearson (PTE Academic)
Advanced – 67 overall, including at least 62 in all four skills Standard - 59 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills
Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. For more information about PTE (Academic), please see the Pearson website.
We also accept PTE Academic Online.
TOEFL (iBT)
Advanced – 95 overall, including at least 22 in Listening, 23 in Reading, 23 in Speaking, 24 in Writing Standard – 80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing
Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. For more information about TOEFL (iBT), please see the ETS website.
We will also accept the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test.
The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.
LanguageCert International ESOL Certificate
Advanced – C1 Expert, Pass overall OR C2 Mastery, Pass overall High – B2 Communicator, High Pass overall with a minimum of 39 in each component OR C1 Expert, Pass overall OR C2 Mastery, Pass overall Standard – B2 Communicator, High Pass overall with a minimum of 33 in each component OR C1 Expert, Pass overall OR C2 Mastery, Pass overall
Visit our undergraduate courses to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
LanguageCert International ESOLscores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.
English qualifications
You will normally be expected to have completed your qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex.
If the qualification was obtained earlier than this we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.
AS/A-Level (GCE)
Grade C or above in English Language.
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A-level: grade C or above in Use of English.
GCE O-Level
Grade C or above in English.
Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
GCSE or IGCSE
Grade C or above in English as a First Language (grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).
Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate
Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded before 1993.
Grades A-D in English language when awarded between 1993 and 2005.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Advanced – Level 5, including at least 4 in each component in English Language Standard – Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language
Please refer to our English language requirements above to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)
The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only:
Advanced – 80% Standard – 70%
Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English:
Advanced – 80% or Grade 2 Standard – 70% or Grade 3
Please refer to our English language requirements above, and as listed for each of our undergraduate courses, to find the appropriate English level for the course you are applying for.
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
English A or English B at grade 5 or above (Higher or Standard level).
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grades A - C in English language.
Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O Level
Grades 1-6 (for awards up to 2008) or grades C or above (for awards from 2009) in English Language. Note that the qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
West African Senior School Certificate
Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Exemptions
If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.
You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, you may still be exempt from needing other evidence of English language, but we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.
Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.
List of exemptions
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada**
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
USA
** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.
Pre-sessional English
These courses are taught at the University and are designed to focus on English for academic purposes and study skills, rather than exam preparation.
You will focus on comprehension for lectures and seminars, critical reading and research projects, note taking, academic writing and other key study skills.
A pre-sessional course will also prepare you for the culture and practice of studying in the UK.
Successful completion of the appropriate pre-sessional English course can be used to meet our English language requirements and gain entry to your chosen degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English courses
English language and visa requirements
Sussex's English language requirements for degree courses are set at a level that meets the minimum requirements for obtaining a Student Visa.
As a recognised UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)-approved sponsor, the University of Sussex is able to make its own assessment of each applicant's English language ability when issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for degree-level study and does not need to base the assessment on a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) – so if, for example, you are taking an IELTS test it can be from anyIELTS test centre.
However, please note that if you take our in-person Pre-sessional English course (not combined with a degree), and require a CAS to attend this, you will need to demonstrate your English ability for the pre-sessional with a recognised SELT (namely an IELTS from a UKVI-approved IELTS test centre or the Integrated Skills in English test from Trinity College London) and submit it with your visa application.
You might also be interested in:
how to apply for undergraduate courses
student visas
accommodation
information for international students
Career
This MA with Early Years Teachers Status (EYTS) offers the opportunity to combine Masters-level study with practical experience of teaching and researching in the Early Years Foundation Stage. You deepen your knowledge and understanding of educational theory and practice, and develop your skills in:
research and analysis
presentation and communication
critical reflection.
With these skills you'll have a wide range of educational careers open to you nationally and internationally.
If you're a professional in employment, this course gives you excellent opportunities for career development and progression into Early Years leadership in a range of private and state-maintained settings.
If you're a new graduate, it provides a springboard into Early Years teaching in both the public and private sector.
As a qualified Early Years Teacher with EYTS, you can teach within private nursery and day-care settings. Free Schools and Academies can employ you to teach Reception children as a full class teacher, while in state-maintained nurseries or Reception classes, you will be qualified to teach with the support of a member of staff with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The terrain of Early Years educational provision is fast changing. This Masters course has been designed to equip you with all the necessary skills and dispositions to lead in this sector.
Graduate destinations
Recent Early Years Education (with Early Years Teacher Status) MA graduates have gone on to jobs including:
reception teacher, Seaside School, Lancing
deputy manager, Blueberry Nursery, Hove
room leader, Wise Owls Nursery, Brighton.
(Department of Education careers database)
Fee Information
Tuition Fee
GBP18,975
How to Apply
How to apply for a Masters course
We are looking for ambitious, enthusiastic and motivated students. You’ll have the passion to succeed, the independence to take on your own projects, and the ability to go above and beyond.
Apply to Sussex
For most of our Masters courses, you apply using our postgraduate application system. Check which courses have different application routes. For tips on how to apply, see our guide below.
Apply or check an existing application
Choose your course
Choose from more than 200 Masters degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) courses.
We offer full- and part-time courses and some courses include an integrated placement year.
If you are an international student with a student visa (students outside the UK), you can only study Masters courses full-time.
How to apply
Most applications for Masters courses are made directly to Sussex through the postgraduate application system.
Medicine and health
If you’re applying to study a course in medicine, you must apply to Brighton and Sussex Medical School via the University of Brighton.
PGCE courses
For postgraduate primary, secondary and School Direct courses, you should apply through GOV.UK Postgraduate Teacher Training.
Social work MA/PGDip
If you’re applying for the Social Work MA or PGDip you must apply through UCAS.
Online courses
For our online courses you should follow the applying link on the relevant course entry.
Entry requirements
To find the specific entry requirements for your course, see our Masters courses.
You also need to meet our general entry requirement: at least an upper second-class (2:1) or lower second-class (2:2) undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) depending on the course you are applying for.
If you’re an international student, you need to meet our English language requirements, or successfully complete our pre-sessional English course.
Check our entry requirements for UK applicants and entry requirements for international applicants.
If you need a visa to study in the UK, we provide you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You can view and download your CAS statement through the postgraduate application system.
Pre-Masters programmes
Pre-Masters programmes are designed to improve your English language level, study skills and academic knowledge ahead of postgraduate study. Find out more.
When to apply
We begin to consider applications in early October for entry to Sussex the following September.
Courses can be in high demand, so we recommend that you apply as early as possible. We do have maximum capacities for subjects and will close courses to new applications once they are full.
The latest you should apply would normally be:
UK applicants – one month before course start date
International applicants – two months before course start date.
High demand courses may close much earlier than the above deadlines, so you should apply as soon as you can.
There are also some courses with earlier deadlines. Check our Masters courses for specific deadlines.
You must also submit your application earlier if you apply:
without formal academic qualifications
with professional qualifications
on the strength of relevant experience.
The deadlines are to make sure that, after receiving any offer, there is enough time for you to arrive for induction and the start of teaching.
The earlier application deadline for international students is to allow additional time to complete the visa application process and, if required for the course, to obtain clearance by the UK Government’s Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).
Find out about ATAS clearance on the Student Hub.
Fees and funding
You may be eligible for a Masters scholarships or a Postgraduate Masters Loan to fund your studies.
If your application is successful, you have your fee status assessed. If your fee status is unclear, we’ll ask you to complete a questionnaire, and if you disagree with the outcome of your fee status assessment, you can appeal.
Tuition fee deposits for international Masters students
If you are a self-funded international student starting a Masters course in September 2019, you are required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Find out more.
Check our Masters courses to see tuition fees.
More information for applying to Sussex
Tips for applying to do a Masters at Sussex
Receiving an offer and confirming your place
Support for students with disabilities
Our admissions policy
You might also be interested in:
student support
applying for accommodation
student visa information on the Student Hub.
Early Years Education (with Early Years Teacher Status) MA
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