School of Education and Psychology

Postgraduate Credit Graduate Employment Based Early Years Initial Teacher Training

Postgraduate Credit Full-time 1 year

This employment-based course trains graduates to teach birth to 5-year-olds through university and workplace learning, leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) qualification with funding available.

This employment-based course trains graduates to teach birth to 5-year-olds through university and workplace learning, leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) qualification with funding available.

Award
Postgraduate Credit
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (1 year)
Campus location
University: Walsall Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Our Graduate Employment Based Early Years Initial Teacher Training (GEB EYITT with EYTS)provides a high standard of training for those preparing to take up a teaching post in an early years setting. The course complies with the statutory guidance from the Department for Education for  Early Years Initial Teacher Training courses.

This course is specifically designed to ensure that those who are successful will be recommended for the award of Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) - the professional award required by all those who wish to teach in an early years setting.

As a trainee you will learn how to teach within the birth to 5 years age range. You will learn how to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for teaching early years through a combination of employment-based and university-led training.

What happens on the course?

This course is currently subject to revalidation in February 2026.

Early Years ITT is the only teacher training focussed on the birth to five age range. To be awarded Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), trainees must meet robust standards designed specifically for high quality work with this age group.

This makes Early Years Teachers ideally placed to fulfil the needs of employers for high quality education and care for babies and young children.

Placements on the course

Every student will now have the opportunity for a professional development work placements, to bridge the gap between academic learning and the world of work.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Be Informed, Be Inspiring, Be Influential

  • The University of Wolverhampton is one of the West Midlands’ largest providers of teacher education, with many of our graduates going on to work within the conurbation.  Our tutors are all experienced teachers who have worked with our partnership and family schools for many years.
  • We are proud of our long-standing tradition of training teachers of Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Post Compulsory Education.
  • High quality learning facilities, including well-equipped teaching rooms and learning spaces, lecture theatres and a social learning environment.
  • A clear progression to Master’s degree study, with opportunities to use level 7 credits to embark upon further study following successful completion of the course.
  • Access to leading research in the field of Education that enables trainees to develop as reflective practitioners.

Looking for 1-1 advice? Find out more and book to attend our Open Day events.

 

If you are successful you will be recommended for the award of Early Years Teacher Status and you will be prepared to teach the birth to five age range, you will also gain 30 Master’s level credits.

As a graduate of this course you will be able to:

  • set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge children
  • promote good progress and outcomes by children
  • demonstrate good knowledge of early learning and EYFS
  • adapt and plan education and care to respond to the strengths and needs of all children
  • make accurate and productive use of assessment
  • safeguard and promote the welfare of children
  • provide a safe learning environment

  • To hold a first degree of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification.

For example Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of science (BSc) etc. or similar . They are sometimes known as 'undergraduate' or 'firstdegrees.

  • To have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (previously Grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English, Mathematics and Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Combined Science).
  • Candidates must be employed in a setting offering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
  • To have taken part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess your readiness to train to teach, which will include as a minimum both an interview and audit of your subject knowledge. Further information regarding the interview process can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/4---after-youve-applied/subject-specific-applications/.

Please note we do NOT accept GCSE Short Courses, GCSE Equivalent Tests from other institutions or organisations, Key Skills Level 2 or Functional Skills Level 2.

If you unsure please contact our Admissions Department admissions@wlv.ac.uk for clarification.

Important Requirements

As part of the Department for Education (DfE) ITT compliance, if you are successful you will be required to provide your ORIGINAL certificates to the University of Wolverhampton Admissions Unit.

We will not accept applicants onto our professional courses who have been unsuccessful on professional courses at other institutions of higher education.

You will also take part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess your readiness to train to teach.

Interview and Selection

First Stage: All applicants that are successful with their application will be invited to complete a set of short professional scenarios involving reading, writing and numerical tasks. These will provide us with an audit of your existing strengths as well as indicate any areas where you need to develop your knowledge and understanding during your course. If you are offered a place following interview, you will be required to demonstrate your professional readiness through successful completion of all of the tasks as one of your conditions of acceptance before the course starts. This may mean that you are asked to attend support sessions in English and mathematics during your course to enable you to demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency by the completion of your course.

Any work to address shortfalls in English and mathematics must be undertaken by the trainee teacher in addition to other aspects of their training. It is the trainee’s responsibility to secure these fundamental skills before being recommended for Qualified Teacher Status.

Second Stage: You will undertake either an observed group task or a subject-specific activity (if you are applying for secondary teacher training).

Third Stage: You will engage in individual face to face interview

We will be assessing your ability to be able to meet the Teachers’ Standards by the completion of your course.

Those successful in the audits and at interview will be subsequently required to meet enhanced DBS checks, fitness to teach and medical check and prohibition order check requirements. You will be expected to complete these forms once you have been successful and have a Conditional Offer.

Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check:

Due to the professional nature of some of our courses you may also be required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. We will coordinate both of these non-academic conditions with you should your course require this and you receive an offer from us.

There will be no cost for the DBS this is free to applicants who have secured an offer and have chosen to study at the University of Wolverhampton.

 

National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL)

Accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) for the purpose of delivering initial teacher training programmes to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).

Self-funding:

If you intend to self fund, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: see How to pay.

Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Please note that this course does not attract the NHS Learning Support Fund

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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