Diploma in Education Studies (Secondary), University of South Australia (UniSA). 2025 information for Australian students

This degree is only available to Australian students

You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:

Australian or New Zealand Citizen
Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Program Code
DDES

SATAC Code
426081 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 50.00 (for 2024)
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

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

Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
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
Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate III or Certificate IV level

OR
Work and life experience

Qualify for Special Entry, or
Complete a University enabling program or equivalent, or
Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Diploma in Education Studies provides an alternate pathway to bachelor level study for students who have an ATAR, TAFE Certificate III or IV or have completed UniSA Foundation Studies. Students build academic literacy and study skills as well as undertaking foundational discipline specific courses.

Upon successful completion of the diploma, students can apply to transition, via competitive entry, into a UniSA bachelor degree.

Content & Structure

The program consists of 36 units of study. This is comprised of six foundational courses designed to develop academic literacies and foundational level discipline knowledge and two major courses from approved specialisation areas.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Introduction to Academic Life	SOCU 1010	4.5
Critical Thinking: Media and Academia	LANG 1068	4.5
Foundations of Education Studies	EDUC 1115	4.5
Major course 1		4.5	Note(s): 1,2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Literacy and Numeracy for Teachers	EDUC 1116	4.5
Major course 2		4.5	Note(s): 1,2
Select 2 out of the following 3 courses:
Introduction to Human Behaviour	BUSS 1072	4.5
Individual and Society in Contemporary Australia	HUMS 1062	4.5
Digital Literacy: Screen, Web and New Media	INFS 1030	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students are required to complete the diploma within 2 years to transfer into an undergraduate degree, subject to competitive entry. Students who do not transfer into an undergraduate degree within this time will be required to apply via SATAC.

2. Commencing students may have their enrolments withdrawn if they fail to engage with their studies (Enrolment policy A48 section 4.5).

3. This program requires weekly participation in all enrolled courses. Student engagement is monitored, with a lack of participation or contact with student support services and/or the Program Director resulting in students being unenrolled from courses they have not engaged with. This action will occur in week 3, prior to census, to ensure students' future program performance (cumulative GPA) is protected.

Notes

1. These courses are to be selected from the Majors, Sub-majors & Minors list on the Bachelor of Secondary Education (Honours) program page (https://study.unisa.edu.au). Course selections require Program Director approval prior to enrolment.

2. Some majors and sub-majors require pre-requisite or assumed knowledge. SACE Stage 2 Physics or equivalent is a pre-requisite for the major and sub-major in Physics; SACE Stage 2 Chemistry or equivalent is a pre-requisite for the major and sub-major in Chemistry; SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Methods or equivalent is a pre-requisite for the major and sub-major in Mathematics; SACE Stage 2 French is assumed knowledge for the major and sub-major in French; SACE Stage 2 Italian is assumed knowledge for the major and sub-major in Italian; SACE Stage 2 Japanese is assumed knowledge for the major and sub-major in Japanese; Stage 2 English or Stage 2 English Literary Studies is assumed knowledge for the major and sub-major in English.