Early Years PGCE programmes

Participants will leave the programme as reflective practitioners, fostering positive relationships with parents, carers and children, as well as with other professionals. There are two pathways, both of 12 months’ duration: mainstream and employment-based.

Early Years teachers can work in all private, voluntary and independent (PVI) early years settings, as well as free schools, academies and independent schools which can employ teaching staff without the requirement for QTS.

Choose from two routes

Mainstream pathway

Suitable for new graduates and career changers who will not be employed in an early years setting during the training.

Employment based pathway

For people already employed in an early years setting or phase of a school. You will combine work (up to 90% of your time) and be released for training and study days.

The Early Years Approach

The IOE’s world-renowned research into the outcomes of early years education has provided sound evidence that high quality early education teaching and care can have a powerful impact on young children, not only preparing them for school, but contributing to positive outcomes later in life. 

At the IOE we have a long tradition of working in partnership with early years settings and schools in inner cities, including London.

Our placement settings offer teaching experience where practitioners serve as mentors and joint assessors for our student Early Years Teachers. IOE tutors have extensive experience of teaching, school management, inspection and research.

Study at the IOE

How to apply

Read the following application process guidelines carefully if you are considering applying to study one of our teacher training programmes.

Entry requirements

Read details on UCL’s minimum entrance requirements for teacher training programmes. These entry requirements apply to all our Teacher Training PGCE programmes.

Learn to teach with the best

The IOE has been ranked 1st in the world for education for eight years running. We have achieved the highest possible Ofsted rating for Primary, Secondary and Post Compulsory education.

  • 500 partner schools across London.
  • 25% of UK education research takes place at the IOE.
  • 97% of PGCE students in full-time work were employed in teaching roles within six months of graduating (Destinations of Leavers from HE, 2016-17).
  • 8000 students from all over the world.
  • 600 academics commited to improving lives through education.

Got questions? Get in touch.

Staircases in the UCL Student Centre.
Prospective student enquiries

Initial Teacher Education

+44 (0)20 8059 0939