Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2023
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2023
Program Code
LHEC
SATAC Code
434240 (Internal)
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Entry Scores
2023 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 73.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): A,B,B
TAFE/RTO: DIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2022 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 73.15
TAFE/RTO: Dip
View full entry requirements
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 SATAC 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 UniSA Education Futures Working with Children web page. These placements form a compulsory part of the program. A successful clearance may also be 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.
Please note: Mid-year entry will only be available to domestic students. Due to the program structure and professional experience placements, students commencing mid-year study will complete their program in 4.5 years instead of 4 years, with the first year undertaken at maximum 0.8 FTE load. This degree is based at the Mawson Lakes campus.
12022 QS Subject Rankings
22023 THE Subject Rankings
3ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21, Teacher Education – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
4Results for Specialist Studies in Education – 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
5 2021 Good Universities Guide – Teacher Education (Undergraduate)
6UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #46, 2022 THE Young University Rankings, Ranked #29, 2021 QS Top 50 Universities Aged Under 50.
Based at the Mawson Lakes campus, this education degree offers you Honours with a difference. Graduate ready to teach, with enhanced career opportunities, and the added benefit of graduating with Honours. You will graduate skilled, confident and ready to pursue your teaching career in early childhood or primary education (birth to 8 years of age).
This industry-relevant degree is a four-year professional degree solely focused on teaching, that will equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive as a contemporary educator in childcare, pre-school, and junior primary settings.
The curriculum is practical in nature and you will begin work placements during your first six months. This focus on industry experience will continue throughout your studies, and on graduation you will have completed 110 days of field-based placements. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of the principles and concepts relating to early childhood development and learning, as well as leadership and advocacy in matters relating to early childhood.
This degree is based at Mawson Lakes campus, where the primary specialism offered is Arts.
If you would like to study a specialism in Arts, English or Mathematics/Science, Languages or Religious Education, you will need to select the degree based at the Magill campus.
The primary specialisms available externally include Arts and English.
Please note that while your home campus may offer specific specialisms, you are able to study your specialism cross-campus.
The initial teacher education qualification for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) meets the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (the Board) qualification requirements for the purpose of teacher registration in South Australia and the requirements of the national approach to the Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs in Australia.
The aim of this degree is to provide you with knowledge across a range of contexts. The learning is largely practically based, and centres heavily on the principles and concepts relating to early childhood development and learning, as well as curriculum planning for learners aged from birth to eight years of age. The four key components of the curriculum include:
You will also undertake three courses in a Learning Area aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Learning Areas include:
The key focus of this Honours degree is research and the production of an Honours project at the end of your studies.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
The addition of Honours offers a higher-level qualification, which will set you apart from your competitors and provide increased employment opportunities due to your ability to undertake research.
Honours is a focused approach to learning and is attainable and achievable by all, including you. It adds no extra time to your degree, and you will develop planning, problem solving and critical thinking skills that are essential for a career as a contemporary educator.
This degree is solely focused on early childhood education, preparing you for a successful career in this specialised field. Much of the learning in this degree is practical in nature, ensuring you graduate career-ready. The practical component begins in the first six months, giving you the opportunity early on to experience exactly what the job is all about.
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) degree offers a range of diverse employment options beyond teaching-specific roles. You may choose to work for a variety of employers including:
The Honours degree will equip you with an additional qualification and specialised skills which will enhance your employment prospects if you choose to continue into teaching. The early childhood teaching field shows promising job prospects Australia-wide, with very strong long-term growth*. Careers to consider include:
*Joboutlook.gov.au July 2020.
Graduates go on to work in a variety of settings including:
You may also choose to continue onto further research with a PhD, Masters of Education or Education Doctorate.*
*A class 2A Honours grade or higher is required.
The initial teacher education qualification for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) meets the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (the Board) qualification requirements for the purpose of teacher registration in South Australia and the requirements of the national approach to the Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs in Australia.
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.
This program has been approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an Early Childhood Teaching Qualification for the purposes of the Education and Care Services National Law.
Applying to study with us:
-----Additional entry requirements-----
In accordance with national teacher education program standards, please note that as part of your SATAC application, you are also required to meet non-academic entry requirements.
All applicants who wish to commence study in our Education degrees are required to submit a 400-600 word Teaching Capabilities Statement in addition to your SATAC application. This supports the national priority to ensure those entering the teaching profession have the personal qualities to best support learners and graduate as classroom ready, high quality teachers. The Education Statement complies with the national Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) initial teacher education program standard of academic and non-academic entry requirements. Further information can be found here.
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
I am passionate about supporting our pre-service teachers to be successful teachers by focusing on sound pedagogical practices, which include how to generate inquiry based questions.
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.
Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
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Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.