Overview

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) equips you with the skills to negotiate the changing context of teaching and learning in the 21st century.

You’ll learn innovative and creative teaching methods that make expert use of emerging technologies, and

study the contexts of education, cultural-historical perspectives, and child development.

This course offers specialisations in Mathematics and English as well as units that focus on specific subject disciplines.

View the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) course handbook

Your industry experience

You’ll complete 91 days of placement throughout the course to put into practice the leadership and management skills you’ll learn in your studies.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Curriculum planning
  • Child behaviour
  • Health and activity
  • Twenty-first century teaching

Your career opportunities

  • Early Childhood Teacher
  • Kindergarten Teacher
  • Early Childhood Teaching Director
  • Primary School Teacher
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

5-Star rating for UG Overall Experience (87.9%) –  top 20% of universities in Australia (#2) – #1 in Victoria

5-Star rating for UG Teaching Quality (89.5%) –  top 20% of universities in Australia (#2) – #1 in Victoria

89.5% of UG students were satisfied with the teaching practices (#1 in Melb/Vic)

92% of UG graduates found employment 4 months after completing their course (5th highest in Melbourne)

  • Side view head shot of a smiling mixed race female wearing a headset, with laptop communicating via video chat.

    Study with Swinburne Online

    With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.

Qualifications

One of the following:

  •  Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
  • Completion of an approved Diploma or Advanced Diploma
  • Completion or partial completion of an approved Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne.

Course prerequisites

VCE prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 25 in English (other than EAL) or at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Other requirements

All applicants must sit and achieve an appropriate standard on a selection test used to assess an applicant’s non-academic personal and professional attributes. 

LANTITE: Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students

Applicants applying to transfer from another initial teacher education course must disclose all LANTITE (Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students) attempts. Applicants who have unsuccessfully attempted the LANTITE three or more times will not be eligible to receive an offer.

Casper test

All applicants (both standard entry and non-year 12 entry) must sit the Casper test. Casper is a non-academic online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes. It is an Australian Government accreditation requirement that all initial teacher education courses include non-academic selection criteria.

To ensure you don’t miss the Casper test deadlines, register for your sitting or for further information about the test.

Working with Children Check and Police Check

All enrolled students must maintain a current Working with Children Check (from the appropriate State Authority). A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to a placement. View the list of each state's requirements.

English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate suitable English language proficiency for successful completion of the course.

Casper Test

All applicants (both standard entry and non-year 12 entry) must sit the Casper test. Casper is a non-academic online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes.

It is an Australian Government accreditation requirement that all initial teacher education courses include non-academic selection criteria.
To ensure you don’t miss the Casper test deadlines and to register for your sitting or for further information about the test.

Working with Children Check and Police Check

All applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check (from the appropriate State Authority). A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to placement. For a list of each state's requirements see www.careforkids.com.au/articlesv2/article.asp?ID=82

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary), students are required to complete 400 credit points comprising 32 units of study (12.5 credit points each). The 400 credit points must comprise:

  • 32 core units (400 credit points) including at least one specialisation (Mathematics or English)*

*Students who wish to complete English Specialisation need to complete EDU30067 (instead of EDU30063)

*Students who wish to complete Mathematics Specialisation need to complete EDU30066 (instead of EDU30009)

32
Core units
=
4-year bachelor degree

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Learning and Communicating Online
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
COM10003
Introduction to Curriculum Planning and Assessment: Practicum 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU10001
Understanding Language and Literacy
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU10002
The World of Maths
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU10003
Theories of Teaching and Learning
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU10004
Indigenous Education and Perspectives
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU10005
Developing Literacy
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU20001
Mathematics in Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU20002
Contemporary Perspectives of Learning and Development
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU20003
Sustainable Education and Perspectives
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU20005
Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Primary: Practicum 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU20006
Social and Emotional Learning
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU20014
Science and Technology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30002
Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Infants: Practicum 3E
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30003
Understanding and Supporting Inclusion
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30005
Families, Community and Citizenship
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30006
Imagining the World Through the Arts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30007
Mathematics in the Primary Classroom
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30009
Discovering Science
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30011
Health and Physical Education
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30014
Teaching Technologies
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30059
Educational Leadership, Management and Program Assessment
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30062
Teaching English
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30063
Teaching Early Reading
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU30068
The Healthy and Active Child
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU40001
Play and Environment
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU40002
Identity: The Early Childhood Profession(al)
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU40003
Advocacy and Social Justice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU40004
Ready to Teach Primary: Practicum 4E
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU40005
Ready to Teach Early Childhood: Practicum 5E
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU40006
Arts Education
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU40008
Teaching the Humanities
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
EDU40011
Units of study Unit code
Option 1 - Mathematics specialisation
Mathematics in the Primary Classroom (Mathematics Specialisation)
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
EDU30066
And/or
Option 2 - English specialisation
Teaching English (English Specialisation)
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
EDU30067

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$4,627

Total fee* ($AUD)

$18,508

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$32,880.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front. 

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
BA-EDECPS
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Last date to apply
05-March-2025
Start dates
10-March-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Last date to apply
02-July-2025
Start dates
07-July-2025
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Last date to apply
29-October-2025
Start dates
03-November-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Start dates
10-March-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start dates
07-July-2025
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start dates
03-November-2025
Upcoming events
Change of Preference Expo 2024
13-December-2024