Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)

Course information for - 2024 entry

Offered at 7 locations

Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
ATAR
50.00 for Ballarat
Fees (first year)*

$4120 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2024
Applications open August 2023
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: to be advised

Overview

The Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation) is designed for domestic and international students who want to undertake a pre-service teacher degree in Early Childhood, Primary, or Secondary education but do not meet the admission rank for a Bachelor’s program and/or do not meet the required Science/English/Maths subject prerequisites in QLD and/or VIC for their desired pre-service teaching degree. By completing this pathway course, students may then be eligible enter the relevant Bachelor degree with credit.

Students can select the required prerequisite units, as well as units from the first year of the relevant pre-service teacher degree courses. Once you successfully transfer, students can gain formal recognition for the relevant pre-service teacher units successfully completed that are beyond the stated prerequisite requirements.

The Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation) is also available by direct entry application to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Away From Base mode. Early Childhood and Primary units only available in this study mode.

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • Working opportunities in school settings, but this is not a teaching qualification.
  • Teaching assistance

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Academic Support UnitsDPED100Academic Literacy in Education10 cp
  • Core Education UnitsEDES104 Digital Cultures and Capabilities ORCore Education UnitsEDMA163 Exploring Mathematics and Numeracy 10 cp
  • Foundation UnitsEDLA111Introductory English

    ** The course coordinator may approve a unit from Part C

    10 cp
  • Foundation UnitsEDMA111Introductory Mathematics

    ** The course coordinator may approve a unit from Part C

    10 cp
  • (OPTIONAL) ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units (OPTIONAL) ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units LNTE110 Literacy and Numeracy Diagnostic

    Optional for students progressing to teaching courses

    0 cp
  • Foundation UnitsEDST111Introductory Science

    ** The course coordinator may approve a unit from Part C

    10 cp
  • Core Education UnitsEDES100Understanding Learning and Teaching

    ** The course coordinator may approve a unit from Part D

    10 cp
  • Core Education UnitsEDES103Understanding Learners and Their Contexts

    ** The course coordinator may approve a unit from Part D

    10 cp
  • Core Education UnitsEDES105Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures

    ** The course coordinator may approve a unit from Part D

    10 cp
  • (OPTIONAL) ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units (OPTIONAL) ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units LNTE100 LANTITE - Literacy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students AND(OPTIONAL) ACER 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 2 LANTITE tests.

    Optional for students progressing to teaching couses.

    0 cp

Commencing Semester 2

AQF framework

Diploma - AQF Level 5

Exit Points

A student who has completed 40 credit points from units prescribed for the Non-Award Certificate in Educational Studies may exit with that award.

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed:

a. Year 12 with the ACU minimum eligibility rank for Diploma programs; or

b. Entry via an alternative pathway as approved for ACU; or

c. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants may be selected following an interview with the course coordinator and staff of the campus Indigenous Higher Education Unit. An applicant should have:

  1. Minimum of three years’ work experience; or
  2. Year 12 or equivalent; or
  3. Relevant tertiary study skills or successful completion of a Tertiary Communication Skills program.


International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2024 Admission.

View transparency admission information

English language requirements

A minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing and a minimum of 7.5 in listening and speaking.

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

Further study

Depending on the units undertaken, on successful completion of this course students may be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Education (Primary), the Bachelor Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five Years), the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) or the Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$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. 

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

Domestic applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.

Staff Profile

Dr Lily-claire Deenmamode

National Course Coordinator Pathway programs, School of Education

Originally from Mauritius, Dr Lily-claire Deenmamode joined the Australian Catholic University in 2012 as a doctoral student in Education. She is currently a lecturer in the School of Education teaching Indigenous Knowledges' and Sociology of Education and is the National Course Coordinator for the Pathway programs. Her research interests include the promotion of cultural identity and the enhancement of social justice in & through education. Dr Deenmamode continues to explore how inclusive education reframed within a social justice perspective has the potential to challenge marginalisation, disadvantage and non-recognition. 

 

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs