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.

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
073277M ¥
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 †
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Semester tuition fee 2016
A$10,000
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$80,000
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.
  • .
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 017301
  • 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 2016
  • 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.
  • .

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).

Post-admission requirements

Students must complete 90 days of Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks as program approved. Students must also complete 75 hours of Wider Field Experience. Students must undergo a Working with Children Check and obtain a Blue Card from the Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA) prior to commencing supervised professional experience.

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

Program Structure
Core course (1)

COR109 Communication and Thought

Introductory courses (7)

EDU101 Human Development and Learning
EDU103 Integrating ICTs into Learning
EDU104 Foundations of Literacy and Numeracy
EDU105 Professional Learning: The Role of the Teacher
EDU106 Professional Learning: Connecting with Learning and Teaching
EDU107 Science Teaching in the Early Years
EDU113 Teaching English: Curriculum and Pedagogy

Advanced courses (24)

EDU202 Engaging Diverse Learners
EDU204 Technologies and ICTs: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDU205 Professional Learning: Facilitating the Learning Environment
EDU209 Teaching Mathematics in the Early Years
EDU211 Assessing Learning
EDU308 Professional Learning: Responding to all Learner Needs
EDU309 Teaching Science in Primary Schools
EDU316 Teaching History and Geography in the Primary School
EDU317 Teaching Health and Physical Education in Primary School
EDU318 Professional Practice: The Inquiring Teacher
EDU319 Teaching Arts in the Early Years
EDU332 Investigating the World Around Us
EDU333 Teaching HPE in the Early Years
EDU340 Teaching Reading and Writing
EDU342 Integration Across the Curriculum
EDU400 Teaching Primary School Mathematics
EDU401 Professional Practice: Teacher as Global Practitioner
EDU410 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
EDU411 Professional Learning: Transitioning into the Profession
EDU412 Responding to Diversity and Inclusion
EDU413 Teaching the Australian Curriculum: Languages
EDU414 Teaching Arts in Primary Schools
EDU415 Professional Practice: Teacher as Researcher
SCS203 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 384

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Complete 32 required courses.
  • Complete no more than 12 introductory level courses, including core course.
  • Complete a minimum of 18 weeks supervised professional experience, completed as full-time blocks.
  • Complete 15 days of wider field experience.

To commence supervised professional experience you must:

  • Travel to attend supervised professional experience placements.
  •  A  Blue Card linked to USC is required, refer to Requirements for placements.
Program notes
  • 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 including essays, seminar presentations, reports and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
  • The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to Primary Education students.
  • When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.
Requirements for placements

As required by the Queensland Family and Child Commission Act (2014), preservice teachers must undergo a Working with Children Check and be issued with a Blue Card by the Public Safety Business Agency to allow them to undertake supervised professional experience in a school or centre where children under 18 years of age are present. It is now a requirement of all Queensland sites and most Australian sites that preservice teachers have obtained a Blue Card prior to commencing supervised professional experience.

To avoid processing delays, you are encouraged to apply for a Blue Card as soon as you have accepted your offer. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when you apply through USC’s Professional  Learning office (Level 1, H Building).

Note: If you do not possess a current Blue Card, you will be unable to complete the professional experience component of your program and you will be unable to meet graduation requirements.

Visit the Public Safety Business Agency website for information on Blue Cards.

Visit Education - Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) for more information about the requirements for placement.