For graduates with a good honours degree, this course equips you with the skills needed for the demanding task of teaching 3 - 7 year old children in nursery and infant schools. You develop the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm you need to motivate young children’s learning.
The course awards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and develops the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm you need to motivate young children’s learning.
You study the core subjects of English, mathematics and science for Key Stage 1 and all aspects of the early years foundation stage. As part of the course you gain 60 credits towards a masters qualification.
Much of your development is built through your school-based training, linked by university-based learning. Your first experience is in Key Stage 1. It begins with 16 initial days followed by 7 week assessed placement. The second school based training placement is in a foundation stage setting and is over a longer time period. In total you spend 120 days in school over the year.
We offer the course in partnership with local and regional primary, infant and nursery schools. These play a key role in teaching and assessment, and helping to develop to your professional competence.
School Direct
Apply for a place through the School Direct scheme for a dedicated route into a job after graduation. When applying through School Direct, the school or partnership of schools that you've applied to will be much more involved in your selection, recruitment and professional development as there is the intention that you will be employed by them if you successfully complete the course.
For more information visit our School Direct page
Modules
The course is made up of modules which integrate experience in schools and nurseries with professional and curriculum studies.
You complete two masters levels modules. One enables you to evaluate and reflect on your own progress as a teacher, and the second enables you to explore a chosen area in more depth in your school or setting and with colleagues in that setting.
The other modules assess your ability against the teacher standards. You are assessed in foundation stage and in Key Stage 1.
Assessment
Your academic work is assessed by written coursework assignments. Your teaching is assessed in schools and by school based mentors. You record evidence of your progress towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in a professional development portfolio.This course is assessed at masters level and we expect most students to achieve this. However, some students may not attain this level of academic work. These students may be awarded a Professional Certificate in Education, provided they have passed all elements of the course at undergraduate level, and have met all the standards for QTS.
Successfully completing the course qualifies you to teach in maintained primary, infant and nursery schools in England and Wales. You may also take up posts overseas in teaching and related employment.
This course is aimed at people who are currently working with young children aged 0-5 years in early years settings including children's centres, schools and private day care. You deepen your knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and early childhood development for young children.
During the course you cover developing the curriculum and pedagogy for the age phases 0-3 and 3-5 years. You also gain knowledge and understanding of transition issues, including children's progress through key stages 1 and 2.
Supported by experienced workplace mentors, you extend your knowledge and professional skills in key areas including
During your training you strengthen your expertise in teaching early literacy, including reading, and mathematics, including numeracy. The course also enhances your skills in supporting children's learning and development across all the prime and specific areas of the EYFS. You deepen your understanding of the characteristics of effective learning that are key to this stage of development.
You complete an assessed teaching practice in your home school or early years setting, and a second assessed placement with a younger or older age-group in a second school or early years setting. Placement experience is organised so that you cover the three age groups within the 0-5 age range.
Throughout your course you are supported to develop a range of relevant academic and professional skills at graduate and postgraduate level. This supports and enhances your career potential, opening up opportunities for higher level posts within early years services.
Professional recognition
By meeting the standards for Early Years Teacher Status, you are recognised as an Early Years Teacher (0-5) with EYTS by the http://www.nationalcollege.org.uk/index" target="_blank">National College of Teaching and Leadership.
Key areas include
Previous students have gained roles as early years teachers in private nurseries, preschools and children's centres, working with children and their families.
Early career roles are often practice based but involve some form of leadership such as a room leader, EYT leading practice across a setting or SENCO co-ordinating provision for children with special education needs. Students have also gained practitioner roles in schools, working with young children aged 2 - 5.
There are developing opportunities in schools, as schools extend provision to two-year-olds. Early career salaries on graduation vary across the early years sector, starting at around £16,000 going up to £24,000.
For experienced early years teachers, there are good opportunities for career progression leading to higher level leadership roles. These roles include private nursery manager, nursery chain teacher and children's centres co-ordinator or manager, where you would lead a multiprofessional team. Salaries range between £25,000 and £40,000.
Some graduates take up teaching roles in further education, with salaries starting at £25,000. Others continue their academic and professional development at masters level.
This course is designed for graduates with limited experience of working with children aged 0-5 years. Your studies are based around extended placements in at least two different early years settings to give you the confidence, skills and experience to work across the 0-5 age range.
Alongside this practical experience you attend taught sessions which provide you with theoretical knowledge of child development, pedagogy and the key areas of early years foundation stage (EYFS). You also gain knowledge and understanding of transition issues, including children's progress through Key Stages 1 and 2.
Supported by experienced workplace mentors during your placement, you develop your knowledge and professional skills in key areas including
During your training you also gain skills in teaching early literacy, including reading, and mathematics, including numeracy.
Throughout the course you are supported to develop a range of relevant academic and professional skills at graduate and postgraduate level. This enhances your career potential and opens up future opportunities for higher level posts within early years services.
Professional recognition
By meeting the standards for Early Years Teacher Status, you are recognised as an Early Years Teacher (0-5) with EYTS by the http://www.nationalcollege.org.uk/index" target="_blank">National College of Teaching and Leadership.
Key areas include
During the course you complete two assessed teaching practice placements in different early years settings.
This course prepares you for roles including • early years teacher • senior early years practitioner • children's centre teacher • nursery manager.
Previous students have gained employment as early years teachers in private nurseries, preschools and children's centres, working with children and their families.
Early career roles are often practice based but involve some form of leadership such as a room leader, EYT leading practice across a setting or SENCO co-ordinating provision for children with special education needs. Students have also gained practitioner roles in schools, working with young children aged 2 - 5.
There are developing opportunities as schools extend provision to two-year-olds. Early career salaries on graduation vary across the early years sector, starting at around £16,000 going up to £24,000.
Some graduates take up teaching roles in further education, with salaries starting at £25,000. Others continue their academic and professional development at masters level.
The MEd in Early Years Pedagogue is suitable for students looking to pursue part-time study in this area. It's ideal for those seeking a qualification whilst working that will enhance professional practice.
The Early Years Pedagogue (replacing the Early Years Teacher Specialism) is recognised by the Scottish Government, and many local authorities, as a qualification that provides the opportunity for the early years workforce to develop/strengthen their specialist knowledge of the early years.
Its blended approach to learning helps to support professional training and networking across local authorities, alongside practice-based assessments.
The course develops opportunities for you to view your work in nursery and early primary settings in Scotland, in line with contemporary research and international perspectives of what makes effective early years pedagogy.
The Early Years Pedagogue incorporates the need for teachers and practitioners to critically reflect on the adult’s role in developing and understanding young children’s learning journeys and narratives alongside recognising the vital role that the environment has to play in developing health, well-being and achievement.
Our MEd programmes are part-time over three years. Students are expected to attain 60 credits per year resulting in 180 credits.
You’ll attend a two-day induction course on campus, followed by an introductory week which will be online.
The course is delivered through the web, using Myplace, the University’s virtual learning environment.
Year 1
Students undertake three compulsory classes each worth 20 credits. This will be one class per semester. It will involve participating in weekly online seminars delivered via My Place. The seminars are scheduled in the evening to accommodate working professionals. In total each class should take 200 hours including self-study.
Students who decide to complete their studies after one year will graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate.
Year 2
Students undertake three classes each worth 20 credits. This will usually consist of two optional classes and a compulsory class Research Methods & Reasoning. The compulsory class equips students with the necessary basis for undertaking a dissertation at Masters level.
Research Methods & Reasoning is delivered entirely online via Myplace during semester one.
As per year one, students will undertake one class per semester. The expected study time is the same as in year one.
Students who decide to complete their studies at the end of year two will graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma.
Year 3
You’ll carry out a research dissertation in a subject area of your choice worth 60 credits. We'll allocate a supervisor for one-to-one support while you carry out and report your dissertation. We endeavour to match you with the best fit for your specialist area.
You can complete your final dissertation by distance learning. This provides our students with the flexibility to complete their studies around work commitments.
This course offers teachers and high achieving BACP graduates the chance to specialise further in their field and best meet the needs of children in nursery and early primary school.
The first year explores contemporary and historical perspectives in relation to what matters in early education and how these relate to early years practice.
The second year looks in depth at how children learn from pre-birth and ways that teachers can use their knowledge of children as learners, the wider life of families and communities to lead pedagogy and work alongside stakeholders to develop learning.
You'll attend a two-day induction course on campus, followed by a trial week before the first class.
The rest of the course is delivered through the web using the University’s online learning platform. You’ll have a weekly student-tutor chat session. You’ll also have the opportunity to work collaboratively on weekly tasks within a virtual learning environment. The course will have a password-protected site accessible to tutors and students and our web developer only.
For our distance learning delivery the student group will participate in online seminars.
You’ll require:
The course is assessed through written coursework that draws on academic study and reflection on practical experiences in education.
This course blends distance learning with face-to-face teaching. It’s open to early childhood professionals anywhere in the world, including early years practitioners, FE and HE lecturers, teachers, nursery nurses, voluntary and independent providers, and inspectors and managers working in areas relevant to early childhood.
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll develop the skills you need to carry out high-quality educational research relevant to your own culture. Those skills include a clearer understanding of the policies, practice and theories that underpin your work. You’ll discuss international approaches and educational change with leading experts.
We offer postgraduate courses that will launch your career in education or aid your continuing professional development.
Our graduates work in the UK and overseas in schools, universities, and local and national government. Some are teachers and lecturers. Others use their skills in policy development, education, administration, psychology and social work.
We value creative teaching that challenges inequalities in the education system. We believe in increasing opportunities for education, for everyone. Our research has a direct impact on educational theory, policy and practice. We’re supporting the development of children, families and learning communities through dedicated research centres.
You’ll learn from world-class academics such as Professor Cathy Nutbrown and Professor Dan Goodley. Cathy, who teaches on three of our postgraduate courses, won an Outstanding Impact in Society award in 2013 for her work on literacy. Dan’s work on disability in education has been described as ground breaking.
Our research seminar programme gives you access to the latest findings, often before they’re published. The University’s library has online catalogues and databases, e-books and e-journals.
All MA courses follow a similar pattern with two core modules (1 and 4) and two subject-specific modules (2 and 3).
Teaching and learning takes place via lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion, active inquiry and investigations. Regular meetings with a personal tutor support and encourage your learning and understanding.
A weekly tutorial and a Study of Education course accompanies the taught modules.
There are no formal written examinations and assessment is by coursework and a 15–20,000-word dissertation.
Two core modules and two subject-specific modules.
Teaching and learning takes place via lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion, active inquiry and investigations. Regular meetings with a personal tutor support and encourage your learning and understanding.
A weekly tutorial and a Study of Education course accompanies the taught modules.
There are no formal written examinations and assessment is by coursework and a 15–20,000-word dissertation.
Do you have a passion for educating children, supporting their academic and personal growth at a key stage in their development? Is your aim to become a reflective, critical and enquiring primary school teacher? Then our PGCE Primary and Early Years course is for you.
Our aim is to help you become a committed, confident and creative teacher so we’ll train you in the essential tools you need to kick-start your career in education. You’ll increase your ability to handle the ever-evolving teaching environment, and by the time your course is complete, you’ll be in a position to continue developing your understanding, knowledge and skills throughout your professional life.
Applicants will have (or expect to achieve before enrolment) a Bachelor's Honours degree, at upper Second Class level or above from a UK higher education institution or a recognised equivalent in a subject that provides the necessary foundation for work as a primary teacher. Trainees expecting to take a specialist module in a core subject, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) or Early Years must have an appropriate degree or be able to demonstrate equivalent understanding and experience.
GCSE at grade C or above (or its equivalent) in English, mathematics and a science subject is also necessary at the point of application. For entry onto a teaching course you will also be required to pass the Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy.
It is essential for applicants to have spent time in British state primary schools and have some familiarity with the current National Curriculum before submitting an application.
Applicants must also meet The National College for Teaching and Leadership requirements for Initial Teacher Training, which means being medically fit and successfully completing an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
All applications need to be made via the UCAS Teacher Training website.
Course codes:
3-7 age phase: X110
5-11 age phase: 338B
This is a specialised education programme to support teaching and learning for all needs, abilities within the teaching area for pre-school, primary, secondary and FE teachers.
Fundamental to the programme is the belief that all learners have the same rights and are of equal worth, irrespective of their ability, cultural background, race, gender or age. The programme aims to help teachers and lecturers improve the educational experience of children and young people, particularly those with additional support needs.
Semester 1
An Introduction to Autism and its Implications for Classroom Practice
Compulsory Courses
To gain a certificate in Inclusive Practice you must attain 60 credit points and for a Diploma 120 credit points
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about fees
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/funding/
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
The programme allows students to engage with current issues and debates relevant to early years education, increasing understanding of policy development and developing leadership knowledge and skills to assess the quality of early years practice. Students gain understanding of general methodology and research methods, which enables them to conduct research in early years settings.
This programme provides the opportunity for students to access professional development that is informed by best practice in early years education. It will also prepare students for leadership roles and develop their understanding of general methodology and research methods.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits), one optional module (30 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Students can also choose one from a wide range of Master's-level optional modules across the IOE offering.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a 20,000-word dissertation.
Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered through face-to-face evening sessions. Assessment is through assignments and a dissertation.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Early Years Education MA
Graduates of the Early Years Education MA are currently working as nursery teachers and managers, primary school teachers, advisers to local and national government and researchers on early childhood programmes.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
By taking this programme students develop an international, critical and deep understanding of early years leadership, curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The Early Years Education staff team at UCL Institute of Education (IOE) have been at the forefront of international research for two decades including the renowned Effective Pre-School, Primary and Secondary Education (EPPSE) project.
The research and teaching team specialise in early years leadership, pedagogy and curriculum and assessment
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Learning & Leadership
78% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
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