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.

Study locations
  • Sippy Downs
  • Fraser Coast
  • Caboolture
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
073277M
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 ^
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Annual tuition fee 2018
A$22,400
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 2023 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.
  • Campus note: The option to study at Gympie is not available to international students on a Student visa.
  • ^Semester 2 intake not available at Gympie.
  • Only the English Discipline courses will be offered at Caboolture, Fraser Coast and Gympie
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 017301
  • Caboolture 018621
  • Fraser Coast 019111
  • Gympie 017501
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 15 Rank - 66
UniSC program code
ED304
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2 ^
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Prerequisites
English (4,SA), Maths A, B or C (4,SA), an Authority science subject (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 2018
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
32
Total units
384
Footnotes
  • Campus note: The option to study at Gympie is not available to international students on a Student visa.
  • ^Semester 2 intake not available at Gympie.
  • Only the English Discipline courses will be offered at Caboolture, Fraser Coast and 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 a curriculum focus in either Science or English/Literacy through undertaking elective courses in this field and completing specialised assessments. Current education priorities focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and English/Literacy capabilities. As a teacher with a focus in Science or English/Literacy you will bring specialised knowledge for teaching and engaging children in these two priority courses into the primary school.

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 Master of Teaching (Primary).

Personal statement requirement

As part of your application, you are required to complete an online questionnaire to demonstrate your motivation for, and understanding of, the program and profession. In the questionnaire, you will be asked to rank a series of statements in order of what you think is most to least important. You will also need to write a 600-1000 word personal statement on why you think you would make a great teacher, and why influencing the future appeals to you.

After you have submitted an application for this program, you will be contacted with further information about the written statement and how to complete your application.

More information is 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) 72 units

COR109 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
EDU101 Playing with Genre
EDU103 Introduction to Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling
EDU104 Editing for the Communications Professional
EDU105 Writing for Young Adults
EDU106 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book

Developing and Graduate courses (24) 288 units

EDU202 Writing the Short Story
EDU204 Writing Poetry
EDU205 Writing Your Novel
EDU209 Creative Writing and Editing for e-Publication
EDU212 Professional Creative Writing Practice A: The Industry
EDU213 Professional Creative Writing Practice B: Industry Engagement
EDU214 Communication and Thought
EDU216 Introduction to Criminology
EDU300 Understanding Crime
EDU308 Punishment and Corrections
EDU309 Policing
EDU316 Justice and the Australian Legal System
EDU317 Foundations of Human Behaviour
EDU340 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
EDU349
EDU400
EDU401
EDU410
EDU411
EDU412
EDU413
EDU415
EDU421
SCS203

Subject Focus courses (2) 24 units

Select Option 1 or Option 2 

Option 1 (English)

CMN116
EDU361

Option 2 (Science)

Select 1 course from:
ENS103
OES104 *
SCI113
PLUS
EDU374

*completion of OES104 requires 5 full days of practical field work

Note: Program structures are subject to change. 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:

  • 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) and following the recommended study sequence
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • 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 the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
  • Students can choose between English or Science subject focus courses in Years 2 and 3 of their program
  • Only the English subject focus courses will be offered at Caboolture, Fraser Coast and Gympie
  • Students completing OES104 will be required to complete 5 full days of practical field work