Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years)
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 4 locations
- Study mode
- Attendance, Online
- Duration
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- VTAC code
- 1200210111
- ATAR
- 60.00 for Melbourne
- Fees (first year)*
$4120 CSP
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Not availableMidyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2023Applications open April 2023
Overview
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years) is aimed at those students dedicated to a career teaching in a birth to five setting.
Developed in response to workforce needs in the early childhood sector, the course can be undertaken as a natural progression for graduates of the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or as a standalone course. Graduates of the course will have a strong grounding in early childhood curriculum and pedagogy.
We also recognise that an early childhood educator is likely to teach a diverse range of students across the course of their career. Our students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond to this diversity.
Professional experience
You will be required to complete 85 days – Year 1: Community Engagement minimum 35 hours; Year 2: 15 days, 15 days, 15 days; Year 3: 15 days, 5 days; Year 4: 20 days.
Work placement
Supervised professional experience is at the heart of all our pre-service teacher education courses and the faculty will find appropriate placements to suit the needs of your course. You’ll be placed in relevant prior-to-school settings at different stages of your course to ensure your practical experience evolves alongside your theoretical knowledge base. Our placement program also gives you diverse educational experiences, so you’ll be in a better position to choose your future career path.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for registration as an early childhood teacher in government, independent, Catholic, and other faith-based schools and a range of early childhood education settings.
The course is approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, (ACECQA) as an Early Childhood Teacher qualification.
This course will not lead to primary or secondary teacher registration.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- early childhood education
- kindergarten teaching
- policy development
Employment rates
84% of Early Childhood and Primary Teaching students are employed full-time within 4 months of graduating. (2019 Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey )
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years), a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
| Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | Choose ONE 10 cp unit from:EDES100 Understanding Learning and Teaching OR EDES103 Understanding Learners and Their Contexts OR EDES105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures | EDSI168 Science, Inquiry and Sustainability | EDMA163 Exploring Mathematics and Numeracy | EDEN100 Foundations of Literacy | |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | Choose the TWO 10cp units from the list above THAT WERE NOT COMPLETED IN SEMESTER 1 OF YEAR 1. | EDEN102 Childrens Literature for Early Reading | EDEC100 Health, Family and Young Learner Wellbeing in the Early Years | ||
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | EDET100 Effective Teaching 1: Becoming a Teacher | Core Curriculum UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society OR PHIL102 Theories of Human Nature OR PHIL104 Introduction to Ethics | EDEC111 Early Years Curriculum and Play-Based Pedagogies | EDEN290 English Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 (B-8) | |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | EDET111 Effective Teaching 2: Curriculum Planning and Pedagogy | EDAR164 Nurturing Creativity in Young Children | EDEC366 Positive Environments for Learning and Development | EDMA290 Mathematics Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 (B-12) | |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | EDES101 Educational Thought | EDES104 Digital Cultures and Capabilities | EDEC313 Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years OR EDTE260 Technologies Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment in the Early Years OR EDFD316 Young Children and Spirituality | EDEC310 Young Childrens Social and Emotional Competence in Early Childhood Contexts | |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | EDET211 Effective Teaching 3 Positive Environments to Engage Young Learners | Core Curriculum Unit 2: UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World OR PHIL320 Ethics, Justice and the Good Society | EDEC461 Pedagogy of Relationships in Early Childhood | EDEC211 Infant and Toddler Studies | |
Year 4 - Summer or Professional Term 1 | EDES300 Comparative Education: Local and Global Contexts OR EDFX204 Engaging with Global Communities Personal Professional Learning in International Education Contexts | EDEC314 Leadership, Management, Administration and Advocacy | |||
Year 4 - Semester 1 | EDET300 Effective Teaching 4: Students with Disability and Inclusive Education | EDAR460 Arts as Meaning in Early Childhood | |||
Year 4 - Professional Term 6 | EDET460 Effective Teaching 5: Understanding and Implementing Assessment and Data Informed Practice | EDEC360 Professional Identities in Early Childhood | EDES302 Professional Communication | ||
Year 4 - Professional Term 7 | EDET461 Effective Teaching 6: Professional Engagement and Reflection |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
Semester I Intake
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed the following requirements may exit from the course with that qualification:[1]
- Non-Award Certificate in Educational Studies
- Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
- Bachelor of Educational Studies
Additional course information
The course includes an articulation pathway for graduates of the AQF level 5, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, providing credit recognition and, for selected cohorts, direct admission into year two of the course
Overseas study available
Our undergraduate education students can undertake professional experience and community engagement in locations like Kiribati and Solomon Islands. Students work with communities to raise the level of student engagement and offer professional development to local teachers. This intensive professional learning for teachers increases flexibility and adaptability as an educator and provides a global perspective for a better understanding of differences within classrooms.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must meet any additional prerequisite requirements imposed by state jurisdictions.
International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed at year 12 level, or equivalent:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
Australian Capital Territory | Prerequisites: Nil Assumed Knowledge:
|
New South Wales | Prerequisites: Nil Assumed knowledge:
|
Queensland | Prerequisites: English (Units 3 & 4, C) Assumed Knowledge: General Mathematics |
Victoria | Prerequisites: English: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English Recommended Studies: Mathematics: Two units of Mathematics (any) |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with ACU College, TAFE, and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Overall score of 6.5. An individual score of 6.5 in all tests
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- 58 with a minimum of 58 in all four communicative skills
Test of English as a Foreign Language – Academic (TOEFL)
- Internet based total of 79: minimum 24 in writing and a minimum of 19 in reading and 20 in listening and speaking
ACU English Language Test
- B (65-74%)
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- Overall CAE score: 176. Minimum score of 176 in all tests
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) , or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
Bachelor Degree graduates may be eligible for entry into further postgraduate coursework degree programs.
Fees
Course costs
$4120 CSP
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
If you are a Year 12 student you must apply through VTAC, UAC or QTAC. Unfortunately, a Direct application cannot be considered.
You can apply Direct to ACU if you are not a recent school leaver and have not already applied through VTAC, UAC or QTAC.
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.