Bachelor of Educational Studies
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 7 locations
- Study mode
- Attendance
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- VTAC code
- 1200110371
- ATAR
- 58.50 for Ballarat
- 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 Educational Studies allows students to take their first step towards teaching or other education-related fields.
Gain the necessary knowledge to pursue a career in corporate training, educational consultancy, online learning, vocational and community education, curriculum writing, youth services or adult learning.
This degree is also a pathway for students who are passionate about becoming teachers but do not meet the admission rank for their desired pre-service teacher degree. Students not meeting subject prerequisite requirements in QLD and/or VIC should undertake the Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation) as their pathway. Eligible students who successfully complete their first year of study (subject to meeting certain progression and non-academic requirements) may apply for transfer into the second year of the Bachelor of Education suite.
This course will not lead to early childhood, primary or secondary teacher registration in Australia, and no practicum is undertaken by graduates who complete the three year course.

Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- early childhood education
- primary and secondary education
- special education
- adult learning
- corporate training
- curriculum development
- educational design
- education consulting
- vocational education
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Educational Studies, a student must complete 240 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 - Semester 1 | EDES100 Understanding Learning and Teaching 10cp | EDES101 Educational Thought 10cp | EDEN100 Foundations of Literacy 10cp | EDES104 Digital Cultures and Capabilities 10cp | |
Year 1 - Semester 2 | EDES105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures 10cp | EDES103 Understanding Learners and Their Contexts (Incl Community Engagement, minimum of 35 hours) 10cp | Specialisation Unit 1 of 3 English: EDEN102 Childrens Literature for Early Reading 10cp | Science EDSI100 Science in Our World OR Mathematics: NMBR141 Number Development in Mathematics 10cp OR Special Education: EDSE111 Attitudes and Inclusive Practice 10cp OR Catholic Studies: THCT100 What Christians Believe 10cp OR Early Childhood: EDEC100 Health, Family and Young Learner Wellbeing in the Early Years 10cp | |
Year 2 - Summer or PT1 | NMBR140 Introduction to Mathematical Thinking 10cp | ||||
Year 2 - Semester 2 | EDMA290 Mathematics Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 (B-12) 10cp | EDEN291 English Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2 (8-12) 10cp | EDHP290 Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (F-6) 10cp | Either Core Curriculum Unit 1 UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society 10cp OR PHCC320 The Just Society 10cp OR PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life 10cp OR Specialisation 2 of 3 English: EDEN345 Literacy and Diversity Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 10cp OR Mathematics: NIL- must complete UNCC100 OR Catholic Studies: NIL - must complete UNCC100 OR Special Education: NIL - must complete UNCC100 OR Early Childhood: EDEC314 Leadership, Management, Administration and Advocacy 10cp Offered in Professional Term 1 across the summer | |
Year 3 - Summer or PT1 | EDES300 Comparative Education: Local and Global Contexts 10cp | EDEC314 Leadership, Management, Administration and Advocacy 10cp | |||
Year 3 - Semester 2 | EDET300 Effective Teaching 4: Students with Disability and Inclusive Education 10cp | EDES302 Professional Communication 10cp | EDSS290 Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (F-6) 10cp | Either: Core Curriculum Unit 2 of 2 Either: UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World 10cp OR PHCC320 The Just Society 10cp OR Specialisation Unit 3 of 3 English: NIL - must complete UNCC300 OR Mathematics: EDMA311 Intervention in Numeracy 10cp OR Catholic Studies: EDRE290 Religious Education Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 data-versionlabel=2 > 10cp OR Special Education: EDSE410 Wellbeing and High Needs 10cp |
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.
Bachelor of Educational Studies: Semester 1 Intake
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed the following requirements 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: 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings including at least two Education Studies units;
- Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation): 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings including at least four Education Studies units;
- Certificate in Liberal Arts[2]: 40 cp from Foundation Studies units in the Schedule of Unit Offerings;
- Diploma in Liberal Arts[3]: 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings including a minimum of 40 cp from Foundation Studies units;
Overseas study available
You’ll have the option of studying Core Curriculum units overseas.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission into the course, an applicant must have completed:
a. Year 12 with the ACU minimum eligibility rank for Bachelor Programs; or
b. Entry via an alternative pathway as approved for ACU.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Program Policy.
Additional Approvals
Requirements for working with children: All students enrolled must have the appropriate approvals before they may enter any context in which they will have contact with children. These are: Blue Card (Qld) or Working with Children Check (ACT, NSW and Vic). International students must bring police check documentation from their own countries. To meet the requirements for working in settings other than schools, a National Police check may be required. All students who have lived in another country for 12 months or more must provide a police check from that country for that period.
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
Overall score: 6.5. Individual score of 6.0 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
Graduates may be eligible to progress to a range of postgraduate coursework programs, e.g. graduate certificate and graduate diploma and, through them and/or with relevant work experience, to master 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
Direct application
Apply nowIf 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.