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PGCE Early Years 0-5 (EYTS)

University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)

United Kingdom, Bristol

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Home/United Kingdom/Bristol /University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)/PGCE Early Years 0-5 (EYTS)

University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)

United Kingdom , Bristol

Key Facts

Program Level

Graduate Certificate

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

X0085

Campuses

Frenchay

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

PGCE Early Years 0-5 (EYTS)

About

Introduction

The course leads to a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE) Early Years 0-5 and the professional status, Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).

The PGCE Early Years 0-5 (EYTS) is designed to prepare trainee Early Years Teachers (EYTs) for a rewarding career in education, teaching children from birth to five years. This qualification is designed for highly qualified staff to lead on delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS) in the early years' sector. The course leads to a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE) Early Years 0-5 and the professional status, Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). This is different from Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is the equivalent for teaching children aged three to 18. QTS is not awarded as part of this course.

The course will support you to develop as a reflective teacher working within the early years sector. By studying theory and reflecting on your practice, you'll gain a deeper understanding of child development and playful learning with specific reference to the EYFS curriculum. We'll consider children's engagement with core skills such as personal, social and emotional development, communication and language and physical development in a wider political context.

The course is embedded in practice and is designed around a set of key principles based on promoting active learning and stimulating integration, exploration and innovation. The overall approach centres on the trainee teacher and assumes you're highly motivated by choosing to study at postgraduate level.

Our tutors on the course are specialists in their fields bringing significant, research-based early years teaching experience.

The course offers two pathways for graduates: a direct entry, full-time route, and an employment-based, part-time route. The part-time route is for graduates who are already permanently employed in an early years setting.

Graduate direct entry route (full-time)

This route is suitable if you have a degree (in any subject but not a foundation degree) or equivalent.

While no previous experience is required, it would be an advantage if you can evidence having some work experience, with children of a relevant age.

The course is 12 months full-time with three, six-week block placements, in baby, toddler and pre-school age phases, plus a two-week placement in a KS1 classroom of a primary school.

Graduate employment-based route (part-time)

This 12-month part-time route is for graduates who are currently employed in an early years' setting who wish to qualify as an EYT whilst continuing to work in practice.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For both routes, you should typically meet the following criteria:

An undergraduate degree, or a recognised equivalent qualification at 2:2 or above.
GCSE grade C/4 in English, Mathematics and Science, or equivalent. Candidates with pending GCSEs will be considered. We'll consider candidates who need to take a GCSE equivalency test. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as alternatives to GCSEs. Where applicants have achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above in English Literature only, we'll look for further evidence of achievement in English.

All applicants will also be required to have:

Health checks for Fitness to Teach
A clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure including check of children's barred list
Satisfactory references including one from latest employer and/or latest role involving working with children
Verification of identity and right to work in the UK
Check for sanction, restriction or prohibition on teaching issued by the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) (if in teaching role)
Criminal records checks overseas. If you have lived, studied or worked overseas for five months or more in the last five years a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country of residence will be required even if you are a UK applicant or currently based in the UK.

The university will also check that candidates are not:

subject to a prohibition order issued by the Secretary of State
disqualified from childcare
or have obtained a childcare disqualification waiver from Ofsted.

Applicants to the Graduate employment-based (part-time) route will also have:

Written agreement from employer to participate in the course (plus an appropriately qualified staff member to act as setting-based mentor i.e. who has QTS, EYTS or EYPS).
A permanent work contract in an early years' setting. A voluntary role is not acceptable for this option.

Selection process

Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to an interview. We want to ensure you get all the information you need about the course and about studying at UWE Bristol and that you can meet members of the course team.

International applicants

We won't be able to accept your application for this course if you require the Student Route visa. Please refer to our PGCE International Early Years.