Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)Information for students commencing 2013

Apply Now

About this Course

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) was developed in consultation with state and national accrediting bodies. It is distinctive in terms of its child-centred philosophy and is supported by up-to-date evidence on best practice in the early years, including research being undertaken through the Centre for Children and Young People, which is co-located with the School of Education.

The course prepares students to teach children from birth to eight years in a variety of childhood contexts, including early childhood centres (childcare), pre-schools and the early years of primary school. It also provides a pathway, within its 32 units, for graduates to gain eligibility to teach in NSW across the range of educational settings from early childhood to upper primary (birth to 12 years).

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this degree can pursue teaching opportunities in early childhood centres (childcare), pre-schools, other early childhood services and primary schools.

Professional Recognition

This course is approved by the NSW Institute of Teachers and is nationally recognised. Graduates meet the qualification requirements for accreditation/registration as a teacher in schools across all Australian states and territories.

The course has been placed on the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s (ACECQA) list of approved early childhood teacher qualifications. A person who holds a qualification on the list of approved early childhood teaching qualifications is an early childhood teacher for the purposes of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations.

Professional Placement

Students gain extensive teaching practice in childcare centres, kindergartens, other recognised early childhood services, and primary schools.

Major Areas of Study

The course focuses on understanding the education, care and development of children; childhood studies; and curriculum studies.

Some units are delivered by distance education or online.

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) a total of 384 credit points (usually 32 units) must be completed.

Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations In 2013 some classes at the Gold Coast may be taught out of facilities at Tweed Heads.
Distance Education Unavailable
Lismore Session 1
Coffs Harbour Session 1
Gold Coast
Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga
Session 1
Course Duration 4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
May be completed in a shorter duration subject to unit availabilities.
Fees and Charges Domestic fees
International fees
Additional fee information
School School of Education
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries www.scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481
International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au
Total Units: Award Abbreviation: 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
32 BEd(EarlyChild) 68/15
UAC Course Code QTAC Course Code CRICOS Course Code
Coffs Harbour: 331157
Gold Coast: 331164
Lismore: 331117
Coffs Harbour: 051751
Gold Coast: 051561
Lismore: 051711
Coffs Harbour NSW: 065054D
Gold Coast QLD: 077272F
Lismore NSW: 065054D
[Top]

Teaching Methods

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, workshops, professional experience in schools, and online discussion forums. Some units are delivered by distance education or online.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.

Assessment Methods

Most units have two or three assessment tasks, which may include a mix of essays, presentations, journals, portfolios, online discussions, quizzes, learning stories, role plays, an assessment of the student's professional experience, and end-of-semester examinations.

Equipment and Facilities

Southern Cross University provides students with modern well-equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audio-visual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

How to Apply


Please note that this course is not available to international students intending to study at Gold Coast.

Pre-requisite Year 12 subjects

There are no pre-requisite subjects required for this course.

On-campus Undergraduate applications

To apply to study an undergraduate degree at a SCU campus, apply online through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). For more information please visit either the UAC or QTAC websites: www.uac.edu.au or www.qtac.edu.au. A late fee applies for UAC and QTAC applications received after the 30th of September.

Apply with QTAC

Apply with UAC

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Office website.

International Applicants

Advanced Standing

At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.

We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.

For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.

Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Technology Education
Bachelor of Contemporary Music/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Graduate Diploma of Education

Specific Award Rules

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

4.1 Requirements for Admission

Applicants for admission to candidature must have an assessable entry qualification from a country where English is the main language and where the medium of instruction for that qualification was English, or demonstrate proficiency of English by:

  1. International English Language Test System (IELTS). The applicant must have a minimum overall score of 7.5, including a minimum result of 8.0 in both the speaking and listening modules and 7.0 in reading and writing.

    or

  2. International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR). The applicant must have a score of at least 4 in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
4.2 Requirements for an Award
  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) a candidate shall successfully complete not less than thirty-two (32) units comprising all units from Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.
  2. Permission to undertake a practicum will at all times be at the discretion of the Head of School.
4.3 Advanced Standing
    1. Candidates who have completed an approved three-year Early Childhood birth-to-eight (8) years or birth-to-twelve (12) years teaching qualification, from an Australian university or equivalent, may be granted advanced standing for up to twenty-four (24) units.
    2. Additional advanced standing of up to three (units) may be granted by the School Board.
  1. Candidates who have completed Southern Cross University’s Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree may be granted advanced standing for up to eighteen (18) units.

Schedule of Units

Part A

EDU10128 - Introduction to Teaching
EDU10514 - Understanding Children and Young People
TCH10515 - Play and Pedagogies in the Early Years
TCH10516 - Constructions of Childhood
TCH10517 - Early Childhood Principles and Practice
TCH10518 - Investigating Issues in Early Childhood
TCH10519 - Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
EDU00401 - English Education I: Foundations
EDU00402 - English Education II: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU10513 - English Education III: Issues
EDU00404 - Mathematics Education I: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU00405 - Mathematics Education II: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU10294 - Mathematics Education III: Issues
EDU00413 - Science and Technology Education I: Foundations
EDU00414 - Science and Technology Education II: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU00415 - Creative Arts Education I: Foundations
EDU00416 - Creative Arts Education II: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU00417 - Personal Development, Health and Physical Education I: Foundations
EDU00418 - Personal Development, Health and Physical Education II: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU10130 - Sociology of Children, Family and Communities
EDU10003 - Learning Technologies
TCH10005 - Positive Behaviour Support
EDU10129 - Human Society and its Environments Education I: Foundations
EDU00412 - Human Society and its Environments Education II: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU10712 - Supporting Learners with Disabilities
EDU01308 - Indigenous Australians in Education
TCH10134 - Pedagogy in Practice I: Basic Skills and Strategies
TCH10135 - Pedagogy in Practice II: Quality Teaching
TCH10521 - Education and Care I: Preschoolers
TCH10522 - Education and Care II: Infants and Toddlers
TCH10138 - Pedagogy in Practice IV: Professional Pathways
EDU10132 - Curriculum and Programming
[Top]