Bachelor of Education Studies (Early Childhood) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Education Studies (Early Childhood)

Quality early experiences in nurturing learning contexts, contributes significantly to the social development of young children, and their cognitive and emotional health and wellbeing.  

This Early Childhood program focuses on babies to children aged five, who are not yet enrolled in formal schooling. Gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on practice opportunities to expertly interact with children, as they learn to actively participate and contribute in the wider community.

The program has been developed according to the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) standards, with final approval pending.

In this program you will:

  • plan, assess and evaluate play-based intentional learning and teaching activities using age-appropriate resources
  • support children’s learning through play, creative imagination and problem solving skills
  • promote health, emotional, and wellbeing concepts that contribute to children’s sense of agency and self-regulation
  • foster literacy through story reading, oral language, drama and early reading instruction
  • nurture inclusion through considerations of culture, individual capabilities, and learning needs – including disability
  • use reflection-for-action for improving practice and enhancing your impact
  • undertake eighty days of professional experiences

Location

Entry threshold

TBA TBA ATAR/Rank
ATAR/Rank

Duration

3 years 3 years Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.

Indicative fees

Indicative 2024 fees (A$)

QTAC code

014110 016110

Start

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
First intake Semester 1, 2025 First intake Semester 1, 2025

Career opportunities

  • Children's advocate
  • Early Childhood centre teacher
  • Early Childhood tutor
  • Education consultant
  • Youth support

Memberships

Graduates may be eligible to become members of:

  • Early Childhood Australia

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Education Studies (Early Childhood) has been developed according to the ACECQA standards, with final approval pending. Graduates require an approved ACECQA qualification to work in the early learning sector.

Start
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
Delivery mode
  • Blended Learning
Total courses
24
Total units
288
Duration
3 years 3 years
UniSC program code
UB009
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units

EDU101 Human Development and Learning
EDU103 Teaching with Technology
EDU109 Professional Experience: Play and Pedagogy in Early Learning
EDU110 Engagement and Behaviour in Early Learning
EDU112 Professional Experience: Communities and Partnerships
EDU115 Creative Expression and Play through the Arts
EDU118 Foundations of Numeracy
EDU119 English Language and Literacy

Developing courses (10) 120 units  

EDU206 Sustainability Through Play and Pedagogy
EDU208 Professional Experience: Learning Theories in Early Learning
EDU209 Teaching Mathematics in the Early Years
EDU212 Teaching Science in the Early Years
EDU213 Teaching English: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU214 Teaching Arts in the Early Years
EDU216 Teaching HPE in the Early Years
EDU217 Professional Experience: Evidence Based Decision Making in Early Learning
EDU218 Inclusive Practices and Intervention in Early Learning
SCS203 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Graduate courses (6) 72 units

EDU309 Teaching Science in Primary Schools
EDU340 Teaching Reading and Writing
EDU361 Teaching English: Language, Literature and Literacy
EDU380 Professional Experience: Transitioning to School
EDU381 Developing Teacher Identity and Leadership: Internship
EDU410 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.

Study sequences

This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the previous student handbooks.

Student profile

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Notes
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Adjusted ATARs are a calculation of a student's ATAR + eligible adjustment factors and are used to determine admission. The raw ATAR is the student's rank before any adjustments are applied.

Minimum entry threshold

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.

Location ATAR/Rank
Sunshine Coast TBA
Moreton Bay TBA

Post admission requirements

To commence Professional Experience (PEx) placements in this program, students must hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) or link their existing Blue Card to UniSC. The Blue Card system is regulated by legislation, Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act) and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2020. Students must undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a Blue Card, by Blue Card Services to allow them to undertake Professional Experience (PEx) placement in prior to school and school contexts, that children under 18 years of age are present. It is highly recommended students be proactive in applying for a BlueCard as soon as they are accepted into the program. PEx placements cannot commence without a valid Blue Card.

Additional entry information

Non-standard English language requirements apply.

Prerequisites

English (Units 3 and 4, C); General Maths, Maths Methods or Specialist Maths (Units 3 and 4, C).

Program requirements
  • Successful completion of 288 units 
  • EDU381 Developing Teacher Identity and Leadership must be studied in your final semester of the  program. It includes a 20 day Internship. EDU380 Professional Experience: Transitioning to School with 15 days of Professional Experience (PEx ) placement is a pre-requisite for EDU381 Devloping Teacher Identity and Leadership
  • Cross-institutional study during enrolment is not permitted for the Bachelor of Education Studies (Early Childhood)
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help with understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses as you progress through your studies
WIL notes

In order to commence your Professional Experience (PEx) placements, you must:

  • Hold a valid Blue Card, for the duration of your program. Blue Card Services administers the Blue Card system, that is a Queensland’s Working with Children Check. You should allow at least 12 weeks for Blue Card Services to issue your Blue Card. Note: Students who do not possess a valid Blue Card are unable to complete the Professional Experience (PEx) component of the program, and are not able to meet graduation requirements
  • Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other State/Territory authority)
  • Travel to attend Professional Experience (PEx) placements 
  • Please note, while every endeavour will be made to place students for Professional Experience (PEx) placements in a given semester, this is not guaranteed. Students may need to enrol at a later time should a position at an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester.

Headstart Program - Year 11 or 12

The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.

Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12

The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at USC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.

Previous qualifications or experience

If you:

  • have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
  • have a TAFE/VET qualification
  • have relevant work experience, or
  • have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)

You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained.

Tertiary Preparation Pathway

If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.

If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.

It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.

I identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

You may be eligible for direct entry into a UniSC degree based on your potential to succeed, under UniSC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS). All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.

If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.

Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:

  • meet the citizenship and residency requirements
  • complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
  • meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.

Fee-paying places

A fee-paying place is not covered by any government subsidy, and you are required to pay the full cost of the courses you are studying.

If you accept a fee-paying place, you can defer the cost of your studies via a FEE-HELP loan. Eligibility for a FEE-HELP loan is the same as for a Commonwealth-supported place. You must:

  • meet the citizenship and residency requirements
  • complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
  • meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.

Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to UniSC if they meet certain criteria.

Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.

QTAC code

Location QTAC code
Sunshine Coast 014110
Moreton Bay 016110
5 stars for teaching quality
#1 in Queensland for teaching, student support and overall experience in Education Good Universities Guide 2023
Professional Experience opportunities built in to the program
Need advice on what to study or how to apply? 
Our Student Central team can help.

Call us +61 7 5430 2890
Email us information@usc.edu.au
For locations and opening hours, visit Student Central.

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