Early Years PGCE courses
Participants will leave the courses as reflective practitioners, fostering positive relationships with parents, carers and children, as well as with other professionals. There are two routes, 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.
UCL Teacher Training Open Evening
Thinking about becoming a teacher? Join us on 23 April, 4 to 7pm, to discover our world-leading Teacher Training courses.
Book your placeChoose from two routes
Suitable for new graduates and career changers who will not be employed in an early years setting during the training.
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
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 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, teacher education and research.
UCL Teacher Training Open Evening
Thinking about becoming a teacher? Join us on 23 April, 4 to 7pm, to discover our world-leading Teacher Training courses.
Book your placeStudy at the IOE
Learn to teach with the best. IOE has been ranked 1st in the world for education every year since 2014.
The IOE approach
At the UCL Institute of Education, we develop teachers who are phase and subject specialists, excelling in cutting-edge understanding and practice.
Teacher training in the heart of London
Experience the amazing benefits of living in London and working in the capital’s diverse and exciting schools, colleges and early years settings.
Help shape education for future generations
We are driven by our ambition to develop intellectually curious, committed and critically reflective teachers who challenge inequities and transform lives through education.
How to apply
If you're considering applying for one of our PGCE teacher training courses, please read the following guidance carefully.
Entry requirements
Read details on UCL’s minimum entrance requirements for teacher training courses. These entry requirements apply to all our Teacher Training PGCE courses.
Learn to teach with the best
IOE has been ranked 1st in the world for education every year since 2014. In 2024 we achieved the very highest possible Ofsted rating for our Early Years (EYITT), Primary, Secondary and Further Education PGCE courses.
- 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).
- 600 academics committed to improving lives through education.
- 8000 students from all over the world.
25% of UK education research takes place at the IOE.
600 partner schools, colleges and early years settings across London.
