Bachelor of Primary Education | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Primary Education

Work with young children to help them learn and grow.

Our program is designed to qualify you to work as a primary school classroom teacher (Prep-Year 6). You’ll learn how children learn, how to plan, teach and assess, and integrate ICT in your teaching.
You will develop curriculum knowledge in English, mathematics, science, technology, arts, health and physical education, history, and geography. From your first year, you’ll complete 90 days of Supervised Professional Experience in local schools, and rural and remote settings if desired.

Offered at Caboolture from Semester 1, 2018 subject to final approval

Study locations
  • Sippy Downs
  • Fraser Coast
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
073277M ¥
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 †
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Semester tuition fee 2017
A$11,200
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$89,600
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
  • ¥ The option to study at Gympie is not available to international students on a Student visa.
  • † Semester 2 intake not available at Gympie or Caboolture.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 017301
  • Caboolture 018621
  • Fraser Coast 019111
  • Gympie ¥ 017501
Refer to the program footnotes
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 15 Rank - 67
UniSC program code
ED304
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 †
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Prerequisites
English (4,SA), Maths (4,SA), Science (4,SA) 
Recommended prior study
a history subject
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests. Refer to English language requirements
Fee type 2017
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
32
Total units
384
Footnotes
  • ¥ The option to study at Gympie is not available to international students on a Student visa.
  • † Semester 2 intake not available at Gympie or Caboolture.

Our program is designed to qualify you to work as a primary school classroom teacher (Prep-Year 6). You’ll learn how children learn, how to plan, teach and assess, and integrate ICT in your teaching.
You will develop curriculum knowledge in English, mathematics, science, technology, arts, health and physical education, history, and geography. From your first year, you’ll complete 90 days of Supervised Professional Experience in local schools, and rural and remote settings if desired.

You will develop valuable skills and experiences through participation in Wider Field Experiences where you engage with community projects and work with children, families and communities.
During your studies, you can attend professional development seminars to enhance your knowledge and skills in areas such as classroom management and preparation for a successful first year of teaching.
You also have the opportunity to take a 6-day trip to rural and remote areas, experiencing different school settings and a wide range of learners and allowing you to make more informed decisions about your career.

With such solid grounding, USC Primary Education graduates are in demand and experience a high level of employment. According to QILT (Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching), 85.7% of USC teacher education graduates are full-time employed – one of the highest rankings of all Australian public universities. Our program has been developed in partnership with leading educational bodies, and as you graduate you’ll be eligible to register with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT).

If your heart is set on a career as a primary teacher but you don’t satisfy the new Science prerequisite for entry into the program, you can study a science course over one semester through our Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP).

If you’ve already completed a non-education Bachelor’s degree, consider our Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Graduate Entry).

Admission requirements

Applicants must write a 1000-word written statement that describes their non-academic capabilities. Effective teachers possess both academic and non-academic capabilities. Research has shown that the best teachers are those who have academic capability, literacy and numeracy skills and personal characteristics (non-academic capabilities). Non-academic capabilities include motivation to teach, self-efficacy, willingness to learn, conscientiousness, engagement with learning, resilience, interpersonal and communication skills, organisational and planning skills, and written communication skills. Research has also shown that a personal written statement describing self-assessment of non-academic capabilities is a suitable means for assessing non-academic capabilities for teaching.

Entry to this program requires applicants to meet academic and non-academic criteria.

Full details of entry to this program are on the QTAC website.

Post-admission requirements

Students must complete 90 days of Supervised Professional Experience (SPE), completed as full-time blocks as program approved. Students must also complete 75 hours of Wider Field Experience. Students must obtain a Blue Card (or link their existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when applying through the School of Education at USC.

Students will also need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website.

Career opportunities

Primary school teacher, private practice tutor, education consultant, community education centre leader, College/University lecturer, zoo education officer, education exhibition organiser, Education Policy Analyst, children’s television presenter, youth support worker, teacher of English overseas, children’s advocate leader.

Registration

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers.

Program structure

Introductory courses (6)

COR109 International Business Strategy
EDU101 Communication and Thought
EDU103 Earth's Surface Processes
EDU104 Introduction to Environmental Management
EDU105 Biodiversity and Ecology
EDU106 Science Research Methods

Advanced courses (26)

EDU202 Planning and Environmental Law
EDU204 Plant Diversity and Ecology
EDU205 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
EDU209 Environmental Impact Assessment
EDU212 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
EDU213 Environmental and Resource Economics
EDU214 Integrated Environmental Management
EDU216 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
EDU308 Measuring Sustainability
EDU309 Communicating Sustainability
EDU316 Special Research Project
EDU317 Workplace Learning I
EDU318 Earth's Surface Processes
EDU300 Communication and Thought
EDU332 Biodiversity and Ecology
EDU340 Chemistry
EDU342 Science Research Methods
EDU349 Communication and Thought
EDU400 Human Development and Learning
EDU401 Integrating ICTs into Learning
EDU410 Foundations of Literacy and Numeracy
EDU411 Professional Experience: The role of the teacher
EDU412 Professional Experience: Connecting with Learning and Teaching
EDU413 Individual Learner Needs
EDU415 Technologies: Curriculum and Pedagogy
SCS203 Professional Experience: Facilitating the Learning Environment

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

Courses offered at Caboolture are yet to be confirmed

Total units: 384

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete a minimum of 18 weeks supervised professional experience, completed as full-time blocks
  • Complete 15 days of wider field experience
  • Successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website.
To commence supervised professional experience (SPE) you must:
  • Obtain a Blue Card (or link your existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information.
  • Complete PrePlace and a Student Placement Agreement (further information will be provided by the placement office upon enrolment)
  • Be willing to travel to attend supervised professional experience placements
  • Visit Education - Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) for more information regarding requirements for placements
Program notes
  • Cross-institutional study is not permitted for the Bachelor of Primary Education 
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • The Study Overseas Program is not available to Primary Education students
  • Refer to Planning your study page to manage your progression
  • Courses offered at Caboolture are yet to be confirmed