Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)

Based at the Mawson Lakes campus, this education degree offers you honours with a difference.

Graduate ready-to-teach, with enhanced career opportunities, and the added benefit of graduating with Honours.

You will graduate skilled, confident and ready to pursue your teaching career in early childhood or primary education (birth to 8 years of age).

This industry-relevant degree is a four-year professional degree solely focused on teaching, that will equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive as a contemporary educator in childcare, pre-school, and junior primary settings.

The curriculum is practical in nature and you will begin work placements during your first six months.

This focus on industry experience will continue throughout your studies, and on graduation you will have completed 110 days of field-based placements.

You will also develop an in-depth understanding of the principles and concepts relating to early childhood development and learning, as well as leadership and advocacy in matters relating to early childhood.

This degree is based at Mawson Lakes campus, where the primary specialism offered is Arts.

If you would like to study a specialism in Arts, English or Mathematics/Science, you will need to select the degree based at the Magill campus.

The primary specialisms available externally include Arts, English and Mathematics/Science.

Please note that while your home campus may offer specific specialisms, you are able to study your specialism cross-campus.

The initial teacher education qualification for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) meets the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (the Board) qualification requirements for the purpose of teacher registration in South Australia and the requirements of the national approach to the Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs in Australia.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

In accordance with national teacher education program standards, applicants must also fulfil non-academic entry requirements. All applicants will be required to submit a 400-600 word Teaching Capabilities Statement with their SATAC application, about their motivation to teach, addressing the topics: 'Explain what you think teaching involves. Outline the personal and academic qualities you possess that will enable you to become an effective teacher. Describe your attitude to learning and provide an example of something you have learned that was meaningful'. Complete information on content, format and submission is available here.

Applicants are advised that a successful Working with Children Check (WWCC) with the Department of Human Services is required for all students prior to undertaking any professional experience placement that involves contact with minors (under 18 years of age). Information on the procedure to be followed for obtaining clearance will be provided with the letter of offer and may be viewed at the UniSA Education Futures Working with Children web page. These placements form a compulsory part of the program. A successful clearance may also be required for visits to education sites in other courses, eg to enter any school, pre-school or childcare centre for any reason, including on placement, observation, internships or visits.

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

The aim of this degree is to provide you with knowledge across a range of contexts. The learning is largely practically-based, and centres heavily on the principles and concepts relating to early childhood development and learning, as well as curriculum planning for learners aged from birth to eight years of age. The four key components of the curriculum include:

• primary specialism
• curriculum studies
• professional experience
• education studies

You will also undertake three courses in a Learning Area aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Learning Areas include:

• Arts
• English
• Mathematics/Science

The key focus of this Honours degree is research and the production of an honours project at the end of your studies.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

Workplace learning is a major focus of this degree and throughout your studies you will complete 110 days of field-based placements. Placements take place in childcare centres, preschools and junior primary settings. This practical experience will equip you with the skills and confidence needed after graduation, and will help you to build industry networks and relationships.

UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.

Your career

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) degree offers a range of diverse employment options beyond teaching only specific roles. You may choose to work for a variety of employers including:

• business associations
• the Department for Education
• private and community-based child care providers
• Catholic Education South Australia (CESA)
• the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA)

The Honours degree will equip you with an additional qualification and specialised skills which will enhance your employment prospects if you choose to continue into teaching. The early childhood teaching field shows promising job prospects Australia-wide, with very strong long-term growth*. Careers to consider include:

• childcare educator: encourage the healthy intellectual and psychological growth of children aged from birth to four years of age
• kindergarten teacher: responsible for a child’s first education experience; this role often encompasses introducing basic skills, including letters, numbers, social science and behavioural skills
• preschool teacher: educate and care for children aged three to five years
• junior primary teacher: develop lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives and facilitate classroom learning for children aged five to eight

*Joboutlook.gov.au July 2020.

Graduates go on to work in a variety of settings including:

• childcare centres
• kindergartens
• primary schools
• crèches
• paediatric hospital wards
• women’s shelters
• parent drop-in centres
• community outreach and recreation centres
• in-home child care

You may also choose to continue onto further research with a PhD, Masters of Education or Education Doctorate.*

*A class 2A honours grade or higher is required.

The initial teacher education qualification for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) meets the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (the Board) qualification requirements for the purpose of teacher registration in South Australia and the requirements of the national approach to the Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs in Australia.

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
• address the non-academic entry requirements

-----Additional entry requirements-----

In accordance with national teacher education program standards, please note that as part of your SATAC application, you are also required to meet non-academic entry requirements.

All applicants who wish to commence study in our Education degrees are required to submit a 400-600 word Teaching Capabilities Statement in addition to your SATAC application. This supports the national priority to ensure those entering the teaching profession have the personal qualities to best support learners and graduate as classroom ready, high quality teachers. The Education Statement complies with the national Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) initial teacher education program standard of academic and non-academic entry requirements. Further information can be found here.

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.