An education graduate stands in front of a building , she is smiling at he camera

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March, July

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Lismore, Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    DipEd

  • Course code

    2125500

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    February, June

  • Duration

    1 year full-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast
    N/A

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

Keen to explore where a career in education and teaching can take you?

The Diploma of Education is a one-year entry level course that provides students with the opportunity to prepare to study for a professional career pathway in education.

Students choose a specialisation in either Primary, Secondary or Technology teaching to shape their studies. The course develops students' knowledge, skills and capabilities for further education and can also serve as a pathway to direct employment in various paraprofessional roles.

Diploma of Education graduates are eligible for entry and up to eight units of credit towards the Bachelor of Education and the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

Please note that Online students in the Secondary specialisation (STEM pathway) must undertake compulsory on-campus residentials for some units.

Jack Fiedler, Education graduate and primary school teacher stands in a park in front of a picnic table that has kids backpacks on it

“I feel fortunate to be their teacher. They are at an age when their personalities are really emerging. They have such humour and curiosity. You can have a joke with them, yet at the same time they are serious about wanting to learn. They are respectful too. We respect each other.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined educational settings.

GA2: Creativity

Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined contexts in the field of education.

GA3: Ethical practice

Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined educational contexts.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Apply academic knowledge and skills to communicate information, concepts, and solutions, individually and/or in a team within defined educational contexts.

Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined educational settings.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work in defined educational contexts.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Apply academic knowledge and skills to communicate information, concepts, and solutions, individually and/or in a team within defined educational contexts.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined educational contexts.

All students choose a specialisation in either:

  • Primary
  • Secondary; or
  • Technology.

Location Teaching period
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3
LismoreTerm  1, Term  3
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3$30,832 ($3,854 per unit)112794G

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

Diploma of Education graduates are eligible for entry and up to eight units of credit towards the Bachelor of Education and the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

Graduates will be eligible for employment in various paraprofessional contexts, such as teacher support roles and library assistants. 

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score6.5
Reading6.0
Writing6.0
Listening6.5
Speaking6.5

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Education, students must complete 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

  • 1 specialisation in Primary or Secondary or Technology Secondary

Other things to consider

As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us here.

There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.

Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.

SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.

Learn more

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

If you are commencing the Diploma of Education in Term 3, please contact Client Services for your personalised Course Progression.
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
EDUC1003Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A
SCIN1006Science and Technology: All Things Matter
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
Anti-requisitesSCIN1003 - Foundations: Science and Technology
EDUC1006Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term1,3
N/A
Pre-requisites24 credit points in 3007002 - Bachelor of Education OR [[7215] - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education OR admitted in 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 2125300 - Diploma of Arts and Social Sciences OR 2125500 - Diploma of Education
Enrolment informationStudents will be required to undertake an online Professional Experience Laboratory equivalent to 5 days of observations.
HLTH1002PDHPE: Mind, Body and Soul
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3,5
N/A
CLST1002HSIE: The Universe Next Door
Summer Term
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
CRTV1001Creativity and the Arts
Summer Term
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
Term1,3,4,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4,5
Term4,5
Online
Term1,3,4,5
Term3,4
Anti-requisitesCannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in MATH1003 - Quantitative Methods with Economics

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

If you are commencing the Diploma of Education in Term 3, please contact Client Services for your personalised Course Progression.
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
HIST1001Making History
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
N/A
NUTR1001Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
Term2,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term2,3
Term2
WRIT1001Introduction to Written Texts
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
EDUC1006Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term1,3
N/A
Pre-requisites24 credit points in 3007002 - Bachelor of Education OR [[7215] - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education OR admitted in 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 2125300 - Diploma of Arts and Social Sciences OR 2125500 - Diploma of Education
Enrolment informationStudents will be required to undertake an online Professional Experience Laboratory equivalent to 5 days of observations.
GENG1003Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
Enrolment informationThis unit requires software that is only compatible with Windows (W10 and newer).
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
Term1,3,4,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4,5
Term4,5
Online
Term1,3,4,5
Term3,4
Anti-requisitesCannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in MATH1003 - Quantitative Methods with Economics
EDUC1003Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

If you are commencing the Diploma of Education in Term 3, please contact Client Services for your personalised Course Progression.
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
ENVR1001Science and Global Challenges
Term1,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term1
Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Anti-requisitesSCIN1002 - Science in Society
CHEM1001Chemistry
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Enrolment informationThere will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore Campus (Terms 2 and 4) or the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour (Term 2 only). Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
EDUC1006Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term1,3
N/A
Pre-requisites24 credit points in 3007002 - Bachelor of Education OR [[7215] - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education OR admitted in 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 2125300 - Diploma of Arts and Social Sciences OR 2125500 - Diploma of Education
Enrolment informationStudents will be required to undertake an online Professional Experience Laboratory equivalent to 5 days of observations.
MATH1005Introductory Algebra and Calculus
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term1,3
Term1
SCIN1005Organisms and Environments
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term4
Term4
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Enrolment informationThere will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
Term1,3,4,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4,5
Term4,5
Online
Term1,3,4,5
Term3,4
Anti-requisitesCannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in MATH1003 - Quantitative Methods with Economics
EDUC1003Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Please note, this specialisation can only be taken Online and is only available to Domestic students.
If you are commencing the Diploma of Education in Term 3, please contact Client Services for your personalised Course Progression.
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
EDUC1003Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A
DSGN1002Technologies Contexts
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2
N/A
EDUC1006Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term1,3
N/A
Pre-requisites24 credit points in 3007002 - Bachelor of Education OR [[7215] - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education OR admitted in 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 2125300 - Diploma of Arts and Social Sciences OR 2125500 - Diploma of Education
Enrolment informationStudents will be required to undertake an online Professional Experience Laboratory equivalent to 5 days of observations.
DSGN1009Design Thinking and Communication
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3
N/A
Anti-requisitesDSGN1004 - Design Management and Communication AND DSGN2005 - Graphics Principles and Industry Application
DSGN1010Digital Technologies: Principles and Processes
Term4,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4,5
N/A
Anti-requisitesDSGN1003 - Design and Technology Principles and Processes
DSGN1008Design Management and Realisation
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A
Anti-requisitesDSGN2006 - Computer Aided Design and Graphics
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
Term1,3,4,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4,5
Term4,5
Online
Term1,3,4,5
Term3,4
Anti-requisitesCannot be taken if already completed or enrolling in MATH1003 - Quantitative Methods with Economics


Note 1:

Students in the Diploma of Education engage in online PEX Lab Immersion Placement undertaking 5 days of virtual teaching and learning evidence relevant to their specialisation, instead of five days of observation in a school.

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes

Specialisations

Students should select 1 Specialisation from the following:

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
EDUC1006Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line Note 1
EDUC1003Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
CLST1002HSIE: The Universe Next Door
SCIN1006Science and Technology: All Things Matter
CRTV1001Creativity and the Arts
HLTH1002PDHPE: Mind, Body and Soul

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
EDUC1006Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line Note 1
EDUC1003Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
AND select either the STEM Pathway OR Humanities Pathway Option from the following:
STEM Pathway Option:
CHEM1001Chemistry
ENVR1001Science and Global Challenges
MATH1005Introductory Algebra and Calculus
SCIN1005Organisms and Environments
Humanities Pathway Option:
GENG1003Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
HIST1001Making History
NUTR1001Nutrition for Health and Physical Activity
WRIT1001Introduction to Written Texts

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
MATH1001Foundation Mathematics
EDUC1006Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line Note 1
EDUC1003Education and Philosophy: Playing with Thought
DSGN1002Technologies Contexts
DSGN1009Design Thinking and Communication
DSGN1008Design Management and Realisation
DSGN1010Digital Technologies: Principles and Processes

Why Education at SCU

5-star rating

5-star rating for postgraduate overall experience, student support, skills development and teaching quality in Education and Training

(GUG 2023)

Higher starting salary

Graduates have a higher starting salary than national average in Teacher Education

(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2019)

Graduate employment

90% of graduates employed within four months of completing their course

(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2019)

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

Preparing to apply

  1. Check requirements
  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

Gold Coast

Lismore

Online

Choose where you want to study

International students studying in Australia

Gold Coast

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway