Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Victoria University

About

In our early-childhood degree you'll participate in units focused on children from birth to five years. You'll come to understand how early-childhood and kindergarten teaching can include children and families as contributors to the learning process.

You'll graduate with expertise built on a strong sense of social justice, learnt through hands-on experience and critical perspectives on theory.

Gain insight into the early years by studying these fascinating areas:

child development teaching practice that includes Aboriginal perspectives education and curriculum studies focused on relationships and meaning advocacy and activism in early-childhood settings history and philosophy of early childhood ethical early-childhood professional practice.

COURSE LOCATION If you are a domestic student, you can choose to study at the Werribee Campus for your first year only.

After that, you will complete your course at the Footscray Park Campus.

International students study all years of this course at our Footscray Park Campus.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education students will be required to complete:

  • 288 credit points of Core studies

Students also undertake practical placements that include 80 days supervised professional experience.

Course structure and units

Year 1

  • Personal and Professional Learning Unit code EEC1101 Credits12
  • ICT in Education for the 21st Century Unit code EEC1103 Credits12
  • Healthy, Active Individuals and Communities Unit code EEC1104 Credits12
  • Reconciling Australian Humanities Education Unit code EEC1105 Credits12
  • Educating for STEM Unit code EEC1107 Credits12
  • Literacy for Education Unit code EEC1110 Credits12
  • Human Development, Sustainability and Wellbeing Unit code EEC1112 Credits12
  • Creativity and the Arts in Education Unit code EEC1113 Credits12

Year 2

  • Practice in Partnership 1 Unit code ECE2001 Credits12
  • Practice in Partnership 2 Unit code ECE2002 Credits12
  • History, Philosophy and Early Childhood Education Unit code ECE2003 Credits12
  • Engaging with Place through Rethinking Childhoods and Development Unit code ECE2004 Credits12
  • Engaging with Place through Play Unit code ECE2005 Credits12
  • Materiality in Early Childhood: Visual and Creative Arts Unit code ECE2006 Credits12
  • Moving with Young Children Unit code ECE2007 Credits12
  • Music, Movement and Dramatic Arts Unit code ECE2008 Credits12

Year 3

  • Thinking with Young Children: Language and Literacy Unit code ECE3001 Credits12
  • Advocacy in Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Education Unit code ECE3002 Credits12
  • Practice in Partnership 3 Unit code ECE3003 Credits12
  • Critical and Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education Unit code ECE3004 Credits12
  • Equity, Social Justice and Diversity in Early Childhood Education Unit code ECE3005 Credits12
  • Thinking with Young Children: Science, Maths and Technology Unit code ECE3006 Credits12
  • Practice in Partnership 4 Unit code ECE3007 Credits24

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent)OR:22451VIC Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of two units of Higher Education studies. OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Training & Development, Education, Child Care or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Pathways from other institutions

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

The Gordon

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Melbourne City Institution of Education

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Sports Education and Development Australia (SEDA)

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Initiate teaching and learning practices that foster learner engagement in complex contexts and foreground Aboriginal standpoints in early childhood education.  
  2. Critically reflect on different ways of knowing, being, and doing founded on the view of children and families as capable contributors to conceptual and pedagogical decision-making in learning and teaching.  
  3. Design teaching practices that reflect an ability to contextualise, question, resist, rethink, and act towards equity and the public good.  
  4. Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of pedagogy, curriculum and assessment in relation to the changing nature of education in a rapidly-evolving global context.  
  5. Critically review and articulate a range of oral and written communication techniques, including in the use of Information and Communication Technologies, to engage and connect with students, their parents/carers and the wider community,  
  6. Design learning opportunities that embrace a rich and varied curriculum, ensure that learning and teaching approaches are based on sound ethical principles and foster reciprocal relationships in early childhood settings.  

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