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AMI Diploma - Teacher Training

AMI Montessori Diploma 3-6

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AMI Montessori Diploma 3-6
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Overview

The sought-after AMI Montessori Diploma – the original course developed by Maria Montessori herself. With AMI training, you could teach anywhere in the world, set up your own school or use the approach with your own children.

Learn about child development and psychology and how to deliver the Montessori educational approach. The course includes lectures and discussions, hands-on work with Montessori materials in our specially-designed model classroom and observation and teaching practice in schools run by teachers who hold AMI Diplomas.

Details

Courses Evenings, Full time, Part time
Location London
Course format options 1 year daytime, 2 years daytime, 2 years evening
Next course Starts every September - applications open now
Entry requirements Over 18 and ‘A’ levels or equivalent qualifications/ work experience
Incorporates the Early Years Educator (EYE) Be counted as a qualified member of staff in UK Early Years settings
Open to international students Our 1 year and 2 year daytime courses are open to international students who may require a visa to take the course - see FAQs
Ellie Kempley Scholarship Full scholarship place available for one UK student - apply as part of your course application by the end of June

Globally-respected AMI training centre

Founded by Maria Montessori's son, we are the UK's only AMI training centre and one of the longest-established in the world. Our large team of trainers provides a wealth of experience and knowledge and our in-person training offers an unrivalled student experience. Our student body values our location in the heart of central London with access to shopping and cultural opportunities.
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What Students Say

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Kalamun Nehar
AMI Diploma 3-6 Graduate
“A journey of discovery that maintained my curiosity until the very end!”
Read Kalamun's story
Rhianna
AMI Diploma 3-6 Graduate
“Simultaneously inspired, challenged and supported.”
Read Rhianna's story
Lucy Forrester
AMI Diploma 3-6 Graduate
“I realised my dream of opening my own Montessori school.”
Read Lucy's story

What can I do with this qualification?

  • With AMI training you can teach anywhere in the world – AMI Diploma holders are in high demand
  • Set up your own Montessori school
  • Use your qualification for working with families or with your own children
  • Be counted as a qualified member of staff in UK early years settings
  • 90% of our graduates are in a job within 3 months or less
Montessori Careers Training Information Session

Course Content

This AMI training is delivered in-person at our central London training centre through lectures, discussions and practice with Montessori learning materials. You will also undertake classrooms observations and two teaching practice placements. As part of the course you will be asked to write essays and submit albums and materials. You will also need to do written and oral exams and your teaching practice will be assessed by the school's lead teacher.
Montessori Educational Theory
Learn in-depth Montessori philosophy, psychology and child development with a focus on children aged 3 to 6 years. You will also discover other educational theories of education and child development, as well as learning about the impact of parent/child issues on the development of young children.
Teacher training and Teaching Practice Placements
You will be fully trained to deliver the authentic Montessori educational approach for children aged 3-6 years and how to prepare a Children's House environment. Every student will undertake teaching practice placements at schools run by AMI Diploma holders. These placements will be organised for you.
Fundamental Learning Skills and the Development of the Senses
You will learn about the Montessori concept of Practical Life which uses daily activities to promote coordination of movement, independence, self-esteem and concentration. You will also discover activities for refining sensory perception which help a children to classify their world and build their intelligence, as well as solving problems and make decisions and you will also look at areas including art, music, botany and geography.
Language, Literacy and Mathematics
You will be trained in exercises for the development of written and spoken language and reading skills appropriate for 3-6-year-olds. There is a focus on confidence and self-expression, language in daily life and storytelling, as well as functional aspects of grammar. You will learn how a young child develops their ‘mathematical mind’ and Montessori activities that provide foundations for geometry, algebra, counting and arithmetic.

Fees and scholarships

Course fees for September 2025 start:

  • Early Bird Fee (paid in 1 instalment – by 30th April 2025) – £10,000
  • Discounted Course Fee (paid in 1 instalment) – £12,000
  • Standard Course Fee (paid in 4 instalments) – £12,700
  • Ellie Kempley Scholarship – full course fees for one UK student aged under 30 – apply as part of your course application by the end of June. You will also need to submit a scholarship application statement.

Further information:

  • Non-refundable £99 application fee
  • £500 deposit on acceptance of course place (offset against your first fee payment)
  • AMI examination fee of £380 which includes student membership of AMI
  • Those who need a Student Visa are required to pay in 1 instalment before they can apply for a Visa (refunded in full if Visa application is unsuccessful)
Training Information Session Ask A Course Advisor

The Ellie Kempley Scholarship for UK Students

The Ellie Kempley Scholarship Fund was set up by the family of Ellie, a former AMI Diploma 3-6 student, in her memory. The scholarship is awarded every year to a UK student on the one year course who is aged under 30 at the start of the course. You must live in the UK and intend to work as a Montessori teacher in the UK and be able to demonstrate a commitment to Montessori. Apply for the scholarship as part of your course application before the end of June. You will be asked to provide an additional personal statement to apply for the scholarship.
Apply for AMI 3-6 and Ellie Kempley ScholarshipApplication Required Documents and Scholarship Personal Statement

Student Stories

Apply for this course

Full time

Apply for AMI Diploma 3-6 - 1 year daytime (includes Ellie Kempley Scholarship application)

from £10,000
  • Next course dates
    15th September 2025 - 18th June 2026
  • Course format
    Monday to Friday - 9.30am-4.30pm

This intensive one year course requires you to attend our London training centre 5 days a week in term time as well as completing teaching practice placements. You will qualify as a Montessori teacher and also gain the Early Years Educator qualification within one academic year.

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Full time

Apply for AMI Diploma 3-6 - 2 years evening

from £10,000
  • Next course dates
    16th September 2025 - 19th June 2026
  • Course format
    Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 6pm – 9pm; four Saturdays per year 9:30am – 5pm

This two year course requires you to attend our London training centre 3 evenings a week in term time and four Saturdays a year as well as completing teaching practice placements. You will qualify as a Montessori teacher and also gain the Early Years Educator qualification within two academic years.

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Full time

Apply for AMI Diploma 3-6 - 2 years daytime

from £10,000
  • Next course dates
    15th September 2025 - 19th June 2026
  • Course format
    3 weekdays - 9.30am-4.30pm

This two year course requires you to attend our London training centre 3 days a week in term time as well as completing teaching practice placements. You will qualify as a Montessori teacher and also gain the Early Years Educator qualification within two academic years.

Apply Now More info

Frequently Asked Questions

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What will I need to do to gain the qualification?

  • Minimum 90% course attendance
  • Montessori material making and practice
  • Submission of albums and materials
  • Classroom practice and observation
  • Practicum evaluation – teaching practice assessment by school’s lead teacher
  • Written and oral examinations

Do you accept students from outside the UK? Do I need a Visa?

Our students come from all over the world and our fees are the same for everyone. We sponsor Student Visas for international students for our 1 year and 2 year daytime courses.

Dependents cannot be brought over on a Student Visa for our Diploma courses. Students who are studying with us on a Student Visa are not permitted to work in the UK while on the course. International students who need a Student Visa to study in the UK are required to pay the course fees in one instalment (Early Bird or Discounted Course Fee) before they can apply for a Visa. This is to ensure the Visa application has the best chance of success. Any course fees paid will be refunded in full if the Visa application is unsuccessful.

Please note that international students who need a Student Visa to study at the Maria Montessori Institute are not permitted to work in the UK. Upon graduating, students on the AMI Diploma courses are not eligible to apply for the Graduate Visa as the Maria Montessori Institute is not a licensed sponsor for this.

Please contact us with any visa queries at course@mariamontessori.org

Where is the AMI training located?

41 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7BE

What are the hours of the course?

1 year full time – Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm

2 years daytime – up to 3 days a week 9.30am-4.30pm

2 years evening – Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 6pm – 9pm; four Saturdays per year 9:30am – 5pm

What is the difference between the AMI Diploma 3-6 and the Foundation Degree in Montessori Pedagogy (3-6)

We refer to our Foundation Degree as our “degree route” as those on this course can gain a degree as well as an AMI Diploma 3-6. The degree course is only open to UK students.

The course content is very similar to the AMI Diploma 3-6 course although there are some additional elements. You study the Foundation Degree in the daytime over 2 years. There is an optional third year of study to gain a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood. On both the AMI Diploma 3-6 and Foundation Degree courses you will also gain the Early Years Educator qualification.

Our degree route is an attractive option for UK students who haven’t already studied for a degree as they should be able to access UK student loans for the course.

What is the difference between the one year and the two year Diploma courses?

The two-year course offers additional study to help students to deepen their understanding. It is suitable for students who need more time to assimilate information and for those who simply wish to take more time to make a deeper study. Additional teaching practice is also offered.

Do you offer help in finding a job after completion of the Diploma course?

AMI Diploma holders are sought after for employment both in the UK and internationally. We advertise jobs at the Maria Montessori School on our Current Vacancies webpage where you can also find links to AMI and Montessori Society job listings. We share details of school vacancies and other external vacancies with our students.

What if English isn't my first language?

You need a good level of English to succeed on our courses. All applicants need to demonstrate their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English. If the highest qualification you hold was not studied in English, you may need to provide an English language qualification/test even if you do not require a student visa.

Do you provide student accommodation?

We do not provide accommodation but we can send you general information about finding student accommodation in London. We will also connect you to other students before the start of the course as students often organise living together.

What is the application process?

Applicants are asked to complete our online application form.

You will then be asked to email a number of supporting documents including a personal statement, a fitness to teach health form, references and education certificates.

You may also be asked to have an interview online or by phone with the Course Director. You will be notified during the application process if this is required.

Successful applicants will be offered a course place.

More information on required documents

What are the English language requirements for a Student Visa?

You will need to do the IELTS for UKVI Academic English language test (or equivalent) with an approved SELT test provider for a Student Visa and achieve at least CEFR level B1 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). You will find list of approved test providers on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

You are exempt from this test if you are a national of a majority English speaking country, or have completed a degree-level course of study in an English speaking country.

To check whether you need to take this test, please refer to the UK Visas and Immigration website: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english

If I am paying for the course in more than one instalment what course fees are paid when?

All applicants pay a non-refundable £99 application fee and a £500 deposit on acceptance of a course place which is offset against the first fee payment. The cost of the AMI Diploma Course examination is £380 and is paid in the April before graduation.

Students wishing to access the Early Bird Fee or the Discounted Fee must pay in one instalment. International Visa students must pay in one instalment which will be refunded if the Visa application is unsuccessful.

Students who wish to pay instalments over the course make the following payments:

One Year Course
1st instalment – £4,250 – due 31/08/2025 (£500 deposit already deducted)
2nd instalment – £3,450 – due 01/11/2025
3rd instalment – £2,450 – due 01/02/2026
4th instalment – £2,050 – due 01/04/2026

Two Year Course
1st instalment – £4,250 – due 31/08/2025 (£500 deposit already deducted)
2nd instalment – £3,450 – due 01/02/2026
3rd instalment – £2,450 – due 31/08/2026
4th instalment – £2,050 – due 01/02/2027

Does the Maria Montessori Institute arrange the teaching practice placement?

The practice placements are arranged by the Maria Montessori Institute. Your location will be taken into account but generally you cannot request a placement at any particular school.

How do I apply for an Ellie Kempley Scholarship?

The Ellie Kempley Scholarship funds full course fees for one UK student aged under 30 on the one year daytime course.

To apply for the scholarship simply tick that you wish to apply as part of the main application for the course. You will also be asked to provide a personal statement for the scholarship which will need to cover: why you want to apply for the scholarship; a description of what makes you passionate about Montessori with examples from your life experience; a description of your experiences of working with children; and a summary of your short, medium and long-term plans for a career working with children using the Montessori approach.

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