Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Victoria University

About

Our graduate diploma allows graduates of degree programs to become early-childhood teachers.

You'll engage with units focused on children from birth to five years, learning how teaching practice can include children and families as capable participants in education.

If you're a domestic student (external link) or you won’t be studying at VU on a student visa, you can study this course online.

You'll also gain hands-on work experience in a range of settings, graduating with expertise in early-childhood learning built on a strong sense of social justice.

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 childhood and relationships family and community contexts advocacy and activism in early-childhood settings history and philosophy of early childhood ethical early-childhood professional practice.

Structure

To attain the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education students will be required to complete:

  • 96 credit points of Core units.

Course structure and units

  • Early Childhood Development, Learning and Teaching 1 Unit code ECE6001 Credits12
  • Early Childhood Curriculum and Pedagogy 1: the Sciences Unit code ECE6002 Credits12
  • Contemporary Issues, Social Contexts of Learning and Social Justice Unit code ECE6003 Credits12
  • Languages and Literacy in Early Childhood Unit code ECE6004 Credits12
  • Early Childhood Development, Learning and Teaching 2 Unit code ECE6005 Credits12
  • Early Childhood Curriculum and Pedagogy 2: the Arts Unit code ECE6006 Credits12
  • Professional Issues Unit code ECE6007 Credits12
  • Inclusive Practice in Education Unit code ECE6008 Credits12

Entry requirements

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from countries other than Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland will be required to complete IELTS: Overall 7.0 with Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.5. OR the following scores that serve as equivalent scores for the IELTS:• ISPLR: Overall (3+) L (4), R (3+), W (3+), S (4)• TOEFL: Overall (94), L (27), R (21), W (24), S (24)• PTE: Overall (65-72), L (73), R (58), W (58), S (73)Applicants with a minimum of a 3 year Bachelor’s degree from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland will not be required to complete IELTS.

Pathways from VU courses

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.

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.

Additional information

Working with Children Check: Applicants must complete a Working with Children Check prior to undertaking placement.

This course is ACECQA accredited and is recognised by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) for teaching registration in Victoria. It is not necessarily recognised in other states and territories in Australia.

Refer to VIT Registration information https://www.vit.vic.edu.au/registering-as-a-teacher/how-do-i-register-as... (external link)

Learning outcomes

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

column1 column2 column3 column4
  1. Initiate teaching and learning practices that foster learner engagement in complex contexts and foreground Aboriginal standpoints in early childhood education.  
  2. Critically review 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 early childhood pedagogy, curriculum and assessment in relation to the changing nature of education in a rapidly-evolving global context.  
  5. Appraise, adapt, and exemplify a range of oral and written communication techniques to engage and connect with learners, their parents/carers and the wider community.  
  6. Create learning opportunities that embrace a rich and varied curriculum, ensuring that learning and teaching approaches are based on sound ethical principles and foster reciprocal relationships in early childhood settings.  

Institution