Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
Mawson Lakes

Duration
4 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Program Code
LHEC

SATAC Code
434240 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

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

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
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission

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 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.
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

This degree is based at the Mawson Lakes campus.

Aim

The Bachelor of Early Childhood 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 from birth to eight years. 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 suited to the early years. Our graduates understand the complexities of early childhood educational communities and the ways in which they can effectively contribute to learning environments aligned to their Early Childhood qualification.

Content & Structure

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) is a four year degree. Students will complete 144 units of study comprising of 29 courses that are specific to teaching children from birth to eight years. 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 pre-service teachers apply and extend their skills in research, through a site-based inquiry grounded investigation. Preservice teachers will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge in professional experience, professional and discipline-specific curriculum studies and education studies. Preservice teachers will develop an in-depth understanding of the underlying principles, concepts and pedagogical practices in curriculum development and delivery for learners from birth to eight years. Preservice teachers will also develop skills in leadership and advocacy, and how to support children in families and communities in challenging circumstances. In addition, Early Childhood Education preservice teachers will study three specialism courses in one of the eight Australian Curriculum (AC) required learning areas, providing greater depth of curriculum and pedagogical content knowledge. For early childhood preservice teachers, these areas of choice are in either: English, Mathematics/Science, Religious Education (Catholic Studies), Languages or the Arts.

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

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Contemporary Contexts of Early Childhood Education	EDUC 1100	4.5	Note(s): 1
Foundations in Learning and Teaching 1: Learning through Play	EDUC 1102	4.5	Note(s): 1
Professional Experience 1: Introduction to Educators' Practices (Birth-3 years)	EDUC 1044	4.5	Note(s): 8	Rule(s): 2,3,4,5
Children's Development: Conception to 3 Years	EDUC 1041	4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
English Curriculum: Language	EDUC 1112	4.5	Note(s): 2
Design and Technology Education	EDUC 1018	4.5	Note(s): 2
Children in Families and Communities	EDUC 3001	4.5	Note(s): 1
Foundations in Arts Education	EDUC 2054	4.5	Note(s): 2
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
English Curriculum: Reading	EDUC 2058	4.5	Note(s): 2
Health and Physical Education	EDUC 2006	4.5	Note(s): 2
Humanities and Social Sciences Education	EDUC 2056	4.5	Note(s): 2
Primary Specialism 1		4.5	Note(s): 3,5,6,7
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Experience 2: Curriculum and Pedagogy (Early Childhood)	EDUC 2092	4.5	Note(s): 8	Rule(s): 2,3,4
Mathematics Education 1	EDUC 3073	4.5	Note(s): 2
Teaching and Learning in Aboriginal Education	EDUC 2061	4.5	Note(s): 1
Foundations in Learning and Teaching 2: Creating Positive Learning Environments	EDUC 2078	4.5	Note(s): 1
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Science and Mathematics Education 2 (Birth to 5 years)	EDUC 3074	4.5	Note(s): 2
Professional Experience 3: Informed Planning (Pre-school)	EDUC 3081	9	Note(s): 8	Rule(s): 2,3,4
Reconceptualising Early Childhood Education	EDUC 3069	4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Science and Mathematics Education (Junior Primary)	EDUC 2097	4.5	Note(s): 2
English Curriculum: Text Production	EDUC 3062	4.5	Note(s): 2
Inclusive Education	EDUC 3055	4.5	Note(s): 1
Primary Specialism 2		4.5	Note(s): 3,5,6,7
FOURTH YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1)
Honours Educational Research: Theory, Literature and Policy	EDUC 4224	4.5	Note(s): 1
First Semester (Study Period 2 or 3)
Honours Research Methodology: Methods and Ethics	EDUC 4239	4.5	Note(s): 1,9
English Curriculum: Programming	EDUC 4247	4.5	Note(s): 2,9
Primary Specialism 3		4.5	Note(s): 3,5,6,7,9
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 4,9
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Experience 4 (Honours): Inquiry into Practice	EDUC 4245	13.5	Note(s): 8,9	Rule(s): 2,3,4,6

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Arts Specialism
Dance and Music: Social Dreaming	EDUC 2076	4.5
Production, Presentation and Audience in Arts Education	EDUC 4227	4.5
Drama and Visual Arts: Story Landscapes	EDUC 3078	4.5
English Specialism
Grammar Across the Curriculum	EDUC 2093	4.5
Literature and Digital Media	EDUC 2074	4.5
Teaching Linguistically Diverse Learners	EDUC 1087	4.5
Mathematics/Science Specialism
Integrating Mathematics and Science for Young Children	EDUC 4222	4.5
Environment, Society and Climate	ENVT 1013	4.5
Mathematics for Primary Educators 1	MATH 1057	4.5
Religious Education (Catholic Studies)
Catholic Scriptures: An Introduction	EDUC 1069	4.5
Catholic Theology: An Introduction	EDUC 2049	4.5
Religious Education for Catholic Schools	EDUC 3035	4.5
Contemporary Catholic Schools	EDUC 2063	4.5
Languages Specialism
English and the Art of Speaking and Writing	LANG 2032	4.5
English in the Professions	LANG 2033	4.5
French 3A	LANG 3004	4.5
Japanese 3A	LANG 3006	4.5
French 1A	LANG 1022	4.5
French 1B	LANG 1023	4.5
French 2A	LANG 1024	4.5
French 2B	LANG 1025	4.5
Italian 1A	LANG 1026	4.5
Italian 1B	LANG 1027	4.5
Italian 2B	LANG 1028	4.5
Italian 3A	LANG 3012	4.5
Japanese 1A	LANG 1033	4.5
Japanese 1B	LANG 1034	4.5
Italian 2A	LANG 1029	4.5
English for Academic Use in Australia	LANG 1052	4.5
English for Academic and International Communication	LANG 1053	4.5
Japanese 2A	LANG 1031	4.5
Japanese 2B	LANG 1032	4.5
Electives
Teaching Children with Disabilities	EDUC 4100	4.5
Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood	EDUC 4193	4.5
Early Childhood Pedagogies for Learning Languages	EDUC 4238	4.5
Teaching in Rural and Regional Locations	EDUC 4208	4.5
Brain Development in the Early Years	EDUC 3065	4.5
Peers, Relationships and Health	EDUC 4213	4.5
Arts Across the Early Childhood Curriculum	EDUC 4216	4.5
Islam and Global Politics	EDUC 3072	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Accreditation requirements mandate that pre-service teachers in a four year program undertake supervised professional experience of no less than 105 days in a formal education setting. Preservice teachers are assessed against the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Graduate Standards and are awarded a non-graded pass (NGP). Preservice teachers in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) will undertake 20 days professional experience placement in a child care setting and 30 days in an a preschool setting in order to meet industry requirements as part of the minimum required 105 days.

2. Preservice teachers are required to take the four Professional Experience courses in sequence. All Professional Experience days and blocks must be taken on a continuous full-time basis regardless of whether a preservice teacher is studying in a part-time or full-time mode.

3. Preservice teachers will be required to undertake a Working with Children Check (WWCC) through the Department of Human Services (DHS). The clearance will be valid for five years. The WWCC must be completed prior to being accepted for a placement and can take up to six to eight weeks to be processed. Strict confidentiality is maintained during the DHS clearance process. If a preservice teacher fails to obtain clearance for any reason, the University cannot accept responsibility for obtaining a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity that a preservice teacher may require to complete the course of study. If preservice teachers cannot undertake a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity which is a compulsory part of the program, they cannot graduate with an Education Degree from UniSA.

4. Preservice teachers enrolled in programs in UniSA Education Futures and who are completing any in-school or site (ie preschools and childcare settings) observations, activities or professional experience placements, must undertake mandatory training in Responding to Abuse and Neglect prior to the commencement of the activities or placements. In South Australia child protection legislation and policy require all organisations to establish and promote child safe environments. Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect training is required of all individuals working with children and young people. All preservice teachers undertaking professional experience placements in South Australian government and nongovernment schools and preschools must provide documented evidence (ie a certificate) that shows they have completed all the required training from one of the providers mentioned on the following website. For more information go to the UniSA Education Futures Pre-requisites and Requirements web page.

5. Preservice teachers must complete and provide evidence of completion of Basic Emergency Life Support or Applied First Aid before commencing this course.

6. All preservice teachers must meet the required standard in the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) to be eligible for program completion and graduation. Preservice teachers will attempt LANTITE as they progress through their program. Preservice teachers will be required to successfully achieve both the literacy and numeracy components of LANTITE as a prerequisite for enrolment in their final Professional Experience Placement course. The University will provide a range of supports for preservice teachers to help them achieve the required standard. Preservice teachers will be allowed three attempts at each test. Any preservice teacher who fails to meet the standard on three occasions in either the literacy or numeracy test will be counselled regarding options.

Notes

1. This course is part of the Education Studies component of the program which comprises 10 courses (45 units).

2. This course is part of the Curriculum Studies component of the program which comprises 11 courses (49.5 units).

3. The Primary Specialism component of the program comprises 3 x 4.5 unit courses (13.5 units) chosen from one of the Primary Specialisms listed above.

4. In 4th year, students must complete one Elective as part of their undergraduate program from the Electives list above.

5. Primary specialisms offered on-campus at Magill: Arts, English, Mathematics/Science, Religious Education (Catholic Studies), Languages.

6. Primary specialisms offered on-campus at Mawson Lakes: Arts, Religious Education (Catholic Studies).

7. Primary specialisms offered in external mode: Arts, English, Mathematics/Science.

8. This course is part of the Professional Experience component of the program which comprises 4 courses (31.5 units).

9. This course may be used to calculate the honours grade for the program.

Professional accreditation and recognition

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.