Want to start a career in education? Do you enjoy working with young children in their learning journeys? This certificate gives you an introduction to education and the professional work of early childhood educators, and supports your development of foundational skills and knowledge for teaching in early education settings.

Learn about child development, play-based learning, fostering creative expression through the arts, early years care and age-appropriate teaching, as well as promoting your own literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge.

On successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education, and subject to meeting all other entry criteria, you may receive up to 48 units of credit towards the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).

Admission requirements

Completion of Year 12 or be 17 years of age; and meet minimum selection threshold ATAR 55.

How to apply

To apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood), submit the completed online application form via Apply USC. Commonwealth supported places will be allocated to eligible students who meet the entry requirements in order of application date, so apply as soon as possible.

Note: the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) is pending final approval for 2022.

Fees for short courses

As part of the Federal Government's Job-ready Graduates package, USC is offering a limited number of Commonwealth supported places in the Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education in 2021. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be a domestic student, and meet the citizenship and residency requirements. For more information visit Commonwealth supported places. Eligible students are able to defer payment through HECS‑HELP.

Commonwealth supported places for short courses available under the Federal Government's Job Ready Graduates package are only available for 2021. Any remaining short course units that are commenced in 2022 would not be Commonwealth supported.

Post-admission requirements

Students will complete a 5 day Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) within this program, students must have a Working with Children Check (Blue Card), or link their existing Blue Card to USC.

As required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000), pre-service teachers must undergo a criminal history check and be issued with the Suitability Card (Blue Card) by the Commission to allow them to undertake field experience in a school or centre in which children under 18 years of age are present. It is highly recommended that students be proactive in applying for a card as soon as they are accepted into the program. It is now a requirement of all Queensland sites and most Australian sites that pre-service teachers have obtained the Blue Card prior to starting professional learning.