Postgraduate Diploma in Early Years with Initial Teacher Training

Course Overview

This Postgraduate Diploma in Early Years with Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) has fully funded places available and leads to Early Years Teacher Status, a qualification which is growing in popularity. People who hold this status are leading professionals in the provision of services for children aged up to five. The course runs on campus over three blocks of one week each, alongside learning within a work setting.

The Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) programme can follow two routes:

1. If you are already working in an early years setting, this route will work for you. It is also known as the Graduate Entry Employment-based route. Financial support is usually available to employers to release staff to attend this programme.

2. Designed for graduates in any discipline, this route is ideal for those who’ve decided to change careers, or new graduates with an interest in early years education. The programme is fully funded meaning that you won't pay course fees and small bursaries to support your day-to-day living may be available for eligible candidates. It’s also known as the Graduate Entry Mainstream Route.

How will you be taught?

Takes place through lectures, seminars, workshops, placements and masterclasses.

How will you be assessed?

Through a variety of tasks including essays and placement files.

What might you become?

Successful completion of the programme results in the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Early Years with Early Years Teacher Status. Typically, students find employment in Children’s Centres, nursery classes in schools, private and voluntary-funded nurseries or working in Local Authority early years provision. Many students go on to complete a dissertation to gain their MA (Education).