Make a positive and life-long difference to children and their futures.
The early years of children’s lives are incredibly important. Your contribution to early childhood education and care set up a child’s learning for life. Our program is designed to qualify you for early childhood teaching (birth to eight) and enables you to lead and work across a wide range of settings including childcare, kindergarten and primary school, with a focus on Prep to Year 3.
- 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.
- † Semester 2 intake not available at Gympie.
- † Semester 2 intake not available at Gympie.
The early years of children’s lives are incredibly important. Your contribution to early childhood education and care set up a child’s learning for life. Our program is designed to qualify you for early childhood teaching (birth to eight) and enables you to lead and work across a wide range of settings including childcare, kindergarten and primary school, with a focus on Prep to Year 3.
You’ll learn about the importance of wellbeing, play and environments in early learning. Benefit from supervised professional experiences in a range of early childhood settings that link theory and practice. You’ll also gain valuable and rewarding wider field experience where you engage with community projects and work with children, families and communities.
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.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete 95 days of Supervised Professional Experience, 20 days of an internship and 5 days (25 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
Early Childhood teacher, primary school teacher, Manager of Early Childhood centre, 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.
Membership
Early Childhood Australia.
Registration
Queensland College of Teachers.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8)
COR109
EDU101
EDU103
EDU104
EDU109
EDU110
EDU112
EDU115
Advanced courses (24)
EDU206
EDU208
EDU209
EDU212
EDU213
EDU214
EDU216
EDU217
EDU218
EDU308
EDU309
EDU318
EDU300
EDU331
EDU332
EDU339
EDU340
EDU344
EDU400
EDU408
EDU409
EDU410
EDU415
SCS203
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Gympie) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- Transitional Study Plan 1 (Semester 1, 2015 commencement)
- Transitional Study Plan 2 (Semester 1, 2014 commencement)
- Transitional Study Plan 3 (Semester 1, 2013 commencement)
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 80 days of Supervised Professional Experience, plus 15 days in a childcare setting and 20 days of an internship, with the majority completed as full-time blocks
- Complete 5 days (25 hours) 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 Education (Early Childhood)
- 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
- The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to Early Childhood students
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression