Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Exercise Science

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
4 years in accelerated mode full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
0102084
IELTS
7.0 minimum score in Reading and Writing and a minimum of 7.5 in listening and speaking
Fees (first year)*
$28728
Start dates
February 2026, July 2026, February 2027, July 2027

Overview

Combine secondary education and exercise science to share your passion for health and fitness with the next generation. Learn from world leading experts how to be an effective classroom teacher while building your knowledge of how the human body works, from a psychological, anatomical, physiological, motor control and biomechanical perspective, with a focus on the role of exercise in health, wellbeing and performance. Expand your skills over time, from observing your mentor teacher, to co-teaching, through to planning for and teaching multiple classes a day. You can also choose to study another specialisation from our arts disciplines as part of this double degree.


Achieve your goals with a scholarship.  

A generous Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship is available to support new undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolling in an initial teacher education (ITE) program to help meet the costs of their study. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here.

Get paid to learn with a Victorian Government ITE scholarship. Victorian students enrolling in a secondary school initial teacher education (ITE) program in 2024 or 2025 can apply to help cover the cost of studying. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here.

Professional experience

Gain expertise in your practicums over a total of 80 days in schools. Year 1: Community engagement in an educational setting, minimum of 35 hours. Year 2: 15 days, 15 days. Year 3: 15 days. Year 4: 5 days, 30 days.

Work placement

All initial teacher education programs must include a defined period, or professional experience, where pre-service teachers practise teaching in a school under the direct supervision and guidance of an appropriately qualified teacher. In order to graduate, pre-service teachers must satisfy all the requirements of their program, including the professional experience requirements. 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. Placements will usually be arranged for the scheduled placement period in the professional experience calendar though this may not always be possible.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for registration as secondary teachers in government, independent, Catholic, and other faith-based schools. This program has been listed on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) accredited programs list and meets the teacher education component of the qualification requirement for registration (accreditation) as a secondary school teacher in all states and territories. 

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • secondary schools as a PE, HOPE and HPE teacher, including Catholic, government and independent settings
  • institutes of technical and further education (TAFE)
  • vocational education
  • community education centres
  • private colleges
  • special education settings

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1 - 4 year program

  • Education Studies UnitsEDES100 Understanding Learning and Teaching OREducation Studies UnitsEDES103 Understanding Learners and Their Contexts OREducation Studies UnitsEDES104 Digital Cultures and Capabilities OREducation Studies UnitsEDES105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures

    Students must complete all 4 units.

    10 cp
  • Education Studies UnitsEDES100 Understanding Learning and Teaching OREducation Studies UnitsEDES103 Understanding Learners and Their Contexts OREducation Studies UnitsEDES104 Digital Cultures and Capabilities OREducation Studies UnitsEDES105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures

    Students must complete all 4 units.

    10 cp
  • Education Studies UnitsEDES101Educational Thought10 cp
  • Exercise Science Units (FIRST TEACHING AREA)EXSC109Games and Sports Skills10 cp
  • ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units LNTE110Literacy and Numeracy Diagnostic0 cp
  • Education Studies UnitsEDES100 Understanding Learning and Teaching OREducation Studies UnitsEDES103 Understanding Learners and Their Contexts OREducation Studies UnitsEDES104 Digital Cultures and Capabilities OREducation Studies UnitsEDES105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures

    Students must complete all 4 units..

    10 cp
  • Education Studies UnitsEDES100 Understanding Learning and Teaching OREducation Studies UnitsEDES103 Understanding Learners and Their Contexts OREducation Studies UnitsEDES104 Digital Cultures and Capabilities OREducation Studies UnitsEDES105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures

    Students must complete all 4 units.

    10 cp
  • Exercise Science Units (FIRST TEACHING AREA)NUTR101 Introduction to Nutrition ORExercise Science Units (FIRST TEACHING AREA)EXSC106 Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Young People

    For NSW Students - EXSC106 must be completed.

    10 cp
  • Exercise Science Units (FIRST TEACHING AREA)BIOL125Human Biology 110 cp
  • ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units LNTE100 LANTITE - Literacy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students ANDACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units LNTE101 LANTITE - Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students

    Students must register with ACER to undertake the two LANTITE tests.

    0 cp

Commencing Semester 2 - 4 year program

Commencing Semester 1 - 4.5 year program

Commencing Semester 2 - 4.5 year program

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Double Bachelor - Bachelor/Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Exit Points

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of a course listed below may exit from the course with that qualification. Note that none of these qualifications qualifies a student to teach in Australia.

  1. Certificate in Educational Studies
  2. Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
  3. Bachelor of Physical Activity and Health Science


A student who does not meet the LANTITE requirements may access an appropriate exit point if they meet the requirements of that award.

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.

In addition applicants (excluding QLD) will be required to demonstrate suitability for teaching;

All 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 the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent.

StatePrerequisites

New South Wales

Prerequisites: Nil

Assumed Knowledge: A minimum of three Band 5 HSC results, including one in English

Assumed Knowledge: To study a major or minor in Mathematics: Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 or 2

Note: This course is structured to allow applicants to meet the three Band 5 entry requirements within the degree program by including a full year of discipline studies before applicants study how to teach.

Recommended studies: Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE); plus one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Queensland

Prerequisites: English (Units 3 & 4, C); General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)

Victoria

Prerequisites: English: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English; Mathematics: Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion of two units (any study combination) of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics OR Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

View transparency admission information

International applicants

If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate.

Find the equivalent qualification for your country

You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy , including the English Language Proficiency requirements.

See the language requirements

 If you’re an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you will need to apply for admission through your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and be assessed on your performance in these studies (i.e. your ATAR or equivalent):

 an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)

an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

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.

Learn more about adjustment factors

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 international applicants

If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed. 

Find out more about English language programs 

Find out more about the ACU Foundation Studies program 

Find out more about Diploma pathways 

Further study

Graduates with bachelor degrees may be eligible for entry into honours courses or to a range of postgraduate coursework programs, eg graduate certificates and graduate diplomas and, through these qualifications and/or with relevant work experience, to master’s degree programs.

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $3591
  • Average first year fee: $28728
  • Estimate total cost: $129276

The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

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. 

Explore your options

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.  

Search our scholarships

How to apply

International applicants

Melbourne

Apply through VTAC

VTAC code 1200210163

Direct application

Apply now

Deferment

Yes. See Defer your offer.

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.


Staff Profile

Dr Nicki Brake

Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and PE

Dr Nicki Brake is a Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) in the Faculty of Education and Arts and is the NSW Course Coordinator for First Year students in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) suite of degrees. Nicki has extensive teaching experience, with over 25 years teaching PDHPE and Dance Education. Nicki has particular interest in student and teacher wellbeing and is passionate about enabling and empowering all people to optimise their own health.

Dr Luke Rowe

Senior Lecturer in Education, Science of learning

Dr Luke Rowe is a Senior Lecturer at Australian Catholic University. His main area of focus involves teaching about the science of learning, evidence-based teaching, and health-related topics. An early career researcher with interests in the science of learning, evidence-based teaching, group dynamics, intelligence and psychometrics, Dr Rowe uses quantitative methods and Bayesian statistics in his practice.

 

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