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.
- 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.
- .
- ¥ 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 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio
Introductory courses (7)
EDU101 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
EDU103 Coursework 1 Hons School of Communication & Creative Industries
EDU104 Coursework 2 Hons School of Communication & Creative Industries
EDU105 Coursework 3 Hons School of Communication & Creative Industries
EDU106 Outdoor Living and Travel Skills
EDU107 Foundations of Outdoor Environmental Studies
EDU113 Adventures Aust Landscapes
Advanced courses (24)
EDU202 Coastal Outdoor Environmental Intepretation
EDU204 Leading Groups in Outdoor Environments
EDU205 Endangered Animals and their Conservation
EDU209 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
EDU211 Introduction to Environmental Management
EDU308 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
EDU309 How Animals Work: Form and Function
EDU316 Earth's Surface Processes
EDU317 Environmental Management Systems and Processes
EDU318 Coastal and Marine Ecology
EDU319 Biodiversity and Ecology
EDU332 Foundations of Sustainability
EDU333 Measuring Sustainability
EDU340 Communicating Sustainability
EDU342 Changing Planet Earth
EDU400 Hydrology and Geomorphology
EDU401 Food in Society
EDU410 Public Health Nutrition
EDU411 Advanced Public Health Nutrition
EDU412 Public Health Foundations
EDU413 Cyber Laws and the Rules of Evidence
EDU414 Digital Forensics 1
EDU415 Network Forensics
SCS203 Digital Forensics 2: Advanced concepts in Digital Forensics
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
- Study Plan - Semester 2 commencement
- Sippy Downs Transitional Study Plan 1 (Semester 1, 2014 commencement)
- Sippy Downs Transitional Study Plan 2 (Semester 1, 2013 commencement)
- Sippy Downs Transitional Study Plan 3 (Semester 2, 2014 commencement)
- Gympie Transitional Study Plan
- Gympie Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement
- Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement
- Fraser Coast Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement
- Fraser Coast Study Plan - Semester 2 commencement
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.