Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Undergraduate
Start Date
February
July
Campus
Magill
Duration
4 year(s) full-time
Mode
On-campus/Online
Program Code
MHPE
SATAC Code
444591 (Internal)
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 73.00 (for 2024)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 73.00 (for 2025)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): DIP
View full entry requirements
Prerequisites
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
In accordance with national teacher education program standards, applicants must also fulfil non-academic entry requirements. All applicants will be required to submit a 400-600 word Teaching Capabilities Statement with their application, about their motivation to teach, addressing the topics: 'Explain what you think teaching involves. Outline the personal and academic qualities you possess that will enable you to become an effective teacher. Describe your attitude to learning and provide an example of something you have learned that was meaningful'. Complete information on content, format and submission is available here.
Applicants are advised that a successful Working with Children Check (WWCC) with the Department of Human Services is required for all students prior to undertaking any professional experience placement that involves contact with minors (under 18 years of age). Information on the procedure to be followed for obtaining clearance will be provided with the letter of offer and may be viewed at the Teaching and Education Placements web page. These placements form a compulsory part of the program. A successful clearance is also required for visits to education sites in other courses, eg to enter any school, pre-school or childcare centre for any reason, including on placement, observation, internships or visits.
This degree is based at the Magill campus.
The Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) aims to prepare graduates who demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, professional practice and professional engagement, and who are innovatively responsive to the changing and challenging demands of being educators in the 21st century. The program equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to promote effective and inclusive learning in a range of educational settings. This is achieved through theoretical and practical studies spanning professional studies (specific learning area curriculum and pedagogical studies), education studies (addressing current educational foci), and through a curriculum specific specialism. Our graduates understand the complexities of educational communities and the ways in which they can effectively contribute to learning environments aligned to their R-6 Primary qualification.
The Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) is a four year degree. Preservice teachers will complete 144 units of study comprising of 29 courses that are specific to teaching children from Reception to Year 6. The fourth and final ‘capstone’ year is designed as a professional Honours year, wherein the six final year courses meet AQF level 8 (or level 7 advanced for elective courses), and preservice teachers apply and extend their skills in research, through a site-based inquiry grounded investigation. Graduates of the Bachelor of Primary Education (Honours) degree will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge in professional experience, professional and discipline-specific curriculum studies and education studies. Graduates will develop an in-depth understanding of the underlying principles, concepts and pedagogical practices of curriculum development for learners from Reception to Year 6. In addition, graduates will have a four course primary specialism in one of the eight Australian Curriculum (AC) required curriculum areas, providing greater depth of curriculum and pedagogical content knowledge. These areas include: Technologies, English, Mathematics, Religious Education (Catholic Studies), Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, Science, the Arts, and Languages.
From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.
Successful completion of this program provides a recognised academic qualification which will enable graduates to apply for teacher registration in South Australia, interstate and some overseas countries. Applicants should note there are other criteria determining eligibility for registration by the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia and other registration and regulatory authorities. Applicants are advised to check registration requirements as they are subject to change.