Higher/Degree Apprenticeship Early Years Teacher (EYTS)

Entry

Typical offers

• Tariff points: 96
• GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English, Mathematics and Science or equivalent (we don't accept Functional or Key Skills Level 2 in Maths, English and Science).
• A-level subjects: No subject requirements
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No subject requirements
• Access:

  No subject requirements

• Baccalaureate IB:

  No subject requirements

• Irish Highers: No subject requirements
• T Levels: No subject requirements

Entry requirements

The above requirements are for Level 4 entry. The requirements for Level 5 entry are as follows:

• Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship

Employers must ensure the applicant meets the entry requirements before they are put forward for consideration.

We use the UCAS Tariff system to make offers to applicants. You can use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to convert your qualifications and grades into points. However, if you have studied qualifications at a higher level, e.g. qualifications such as a Degree or PG Diploma, this would potentially be considered instead of UCAS Tariff Points.  Please contact UWE Admissions if you need further clarification.

Applicants with considerable relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Application deadline

The deadline for both levels of entry is 29th October 2026.

ESFA eligibility requirements

Regardless of your level of entry, you need to:

• be aged 16 years or over
• be an EEA citizen (with Right to Work in the UK) and not be in any other kind of full-time education (including being enrolled on any other apprenticeship programme)
• be employed (for at least the full planned duration of your apprenticeship) in a role that is linked to the appropriate industry for the apprenticeship training
• receive at least legal minimum wage for apprentices (wages vary depending on experience, employer and level or type of apprenticeship)commit to at least six hours per week of apprenticeship training during your normal working hours
• have support from your employer, including a mentor/line manager. Your employer is also responsible for funding your apprenticeship.

Additional Checks

Before you start your course, you'll need to complete:

• an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• the equivalent Overseas Criminal Record certificate from any country/countries you have lived/worked in for more than 5 months in the past 5 years. The check needs to be dated within 1 year of the course start date.
• a Suitability Declaration Form which includes your responses to a Fitness to Teach assessment and your declaration that you have not been removed from any other programme because of not being suitable to work with children.
• a satisfactory Health Check with your current employer.

You'll also need to provide:

• in your application or via an uploaded document to your welcome website, you must provide a complete account of your education and employment history from the end of compulsory secondary education (or equivalent) up to the present day. Information should be listed in chronological order and include start and end dates (month and year). Please ensure all periods are accounted for, including employment, full-time or part-time education, voluntary work, unemployment, travel, caring responsibilities or any other periods when you were not in work or education. Any gaps in your history should also be explained.
• official and original certificates of GCSEs or UK GCSE equivalent qualification prior to starting your course.

Admissions will need to receive:

• two references which include a suitability declaration. One reference must be from your employer. All references must be from someone more senior to the applicant and must come from a professional email. References must be addressed to UWE Bristol Admissions. We cannot accept any addressed  to 'to whom it may concern'. We also cannot accept character references or references from friends or family.

Read more about entry requirements.

Selection process:

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews will take place virtually on Teams and last no longer than 45 minutes. The interviewing panel will be made up of UWE Bristol's programme team.

Apprenticeship funding

Information about eligibility for apprenticeship funding is available on the GOV.UK website.

How to apply

To be an apprentice, you must be employed in a role that's relevant to the skill, trade or occupation you're being trained for. As part of your commitment to the apprenticeship, you'll have to complete off-the-job learning activity within your normal contracted working hours, which works out generally at 6 hours per week, but this may vary depending on the apprenticeship programme plan. A Training plan is agreed before your start and is supported by your employer.

Employed

If you're interested in applying and have the support from your employer, speak to your line manager and/or HR team in the first instance for approval. Your employer will contact us so we can send you an application link.

Unemployed

If you're not employed, you can use the following tools to find an apprenticeship vacancy with an employer:

• Employer's careers page
• Find an Apprenticeship
• UCAS Apprenticeship search

Read more about higher and degree apprenticeship applications.

Employers

Get in touch with us to speak to a partnership manager and discuss how we can support you.

For further information

For course-specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Leader.

For Entry Requirement enquiries, please contact Admissions@uwe.ac.uk.

For all other enquiries, please email our Centre for Apprenticeships apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk or call +44 (0)117 32 84888.

For further information about Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.

Features

Placements

To achieve Early Years Teacher Status, you'll need experience working with young children and in a variety of early years environments.  You must gain work experience in an alternative setting to meet the QAA benchmark statement for early childhood studies requirements. Plus, a second Ofsted-inspected setting to gain experience of working in Early Years teaching positions to meet the EYTS requirements.

You'll work in three early years settings during the course of the apprenticeship prior to being able to record the achievement of EYTS, spending six weeks in an alternative setting and a supplementary placement. This should consist of two weeks in each year of the degree apprenticeship.

All practical teaching experience for this apprenticeship must take place in England.

Study facilities

As an online learner, you'll have access to a range of digital resources designed to support your studies wherever you're based in England. You'll need a laptop or computer with a microphone and camera to take part in online learning activities.

Course materials, reading lists, videos, webinars and learning activities are available through our virtual learning environment. You'll use the platform to access study resources, participate in discussions and connect with tutors and other apprentices.

You'll also receive technical and academic support throughout the apprenticeship.