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I want more infoEarly childhood scholarships
The Jack and Merleen Sheedy Early Childhood Education Scholarships provide support for changing to a career in early childhood. There are two scholarships available to eligible students commencing QUT early childhood courses.
Graduate success
Fiona shares why she loves early childhood teaching and the little moments that make it such a rewarding career.
Real-world placement
'From the first year of my degree, I participated in a professional experience placement organised by QUT. It was a valuable opportunity to create lesson plans, observe, and interact with children. Engaging in placements prepares me for a career in teaching and enhances my skill set.'
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
The best start in life
I'm currently working as a teacher in an early years centre supporting the children in their learning and development. I get to see children when they come in as young as six months old to when they're five, and see them grow and become their own little people. Their love for learning starts young and we help support and promote that.
Highlights
- Graduates of this course can work in Queensland as an early childhood teacher in early learning centres, kindergartens, and Prep to Year 3 in primary schools.
- Queensland’s top choice for a degree in education (Times Higher Education, 2024).
- Complete this 4-year full-time degree sooner if you have an early childhood diploma and work experience.
- Gain real-world experience through diverse professional experience placements from your first year of study, organised by QUT.
- Queensland’s no. 1 choice for early education courses.
Highlights
- Graduates of this course can work in Queensland as an early childhood teacher in early learning centres, kindergartens, and Prep to Year 3 in primary schools
- Queensland’s top choice for a degree in education (Times Higher Education, 2024).
- Complete this 4-year full-time degree sooner if you have an early childhood diploma and work experience.
- Gain real-world experience through diverse professional experience placements from your first year of study, organised by QUT.
- Queensland’s no. 1 choice for early education courses.
Why choose this course?
Graduates of this course are equipped to teach in early learning centres, kindergartens, and Prep to Year 3 in primary schools. This degree also opens opportunities to work across Australia and internationally.
The early years are a time of rapid growth and development. Early relationships, interactions and experiences provide the foundation for everything that follows - school, work, life. Early childhood teachers make a significant and lasting contribution to a child’s education and lifelong learning. You will be supported by specialist early childhood academics and will experience real-world opportunities that prepare you to teach in early childhood and primary schools.
Why choose this course?
Graduates of this course are equipped to teach in early learning centres, kindergartens, and Prep to Year 3 in primary schools. This degree also opens opportunities to work across Australia and internationally.
The early years are a time of rapid growth and development. Early relationships, interactions and experiences provide the foundation for everything that follows - school, work, life. Early childhood teachers make a significant and lasting contribution to a child’s education and lifelong learning. You will be supported by specialist early childhood academics and will experience real-world opportunities that prepare you to teach in early childhood and primary schools.
Nationally, the number of early childhood teachers required in early childhood education and care services is expected to grow by 21.6% between 2021 and 2026, according to the Australian Government's Job Outlook (June 2023).
This puts you, as an early childhood graduate teacher, in the box seat for leadership in the early childhood education and care sector.
Real-world learning
Professional experience
We arrange professional placements, supervised by practising teachers, in diverse environments like classrooms, kindergartens, and early learning centres, starting from your first year.
During this course, you are required to complete 95 days (equivalent to 665 hours) of professional experience placements.
Find out more about professional experience
Workplace experience
QUT offers opportunities, including rural and remote community visits, and overseas experiences. Studying education at QUT, enhances your personal development, and cultural competence.
Learn from the best
You’ll learn from innovative lecturers with real-world experience in early childhood education, committed to providing a quality experience. Recognised among the nation’s most outstanding teaching and learning programs, QUT Education has received twelve Australian awards or citations for university teaching over the past ten years.
Learn more about learning from the best
Real-world facilities
Experience our state-of-the-art Education Precinct at the heart of Kelvin Grove campus. With five levels dedicated to world-class teaching, you’ll have access to imaginatively designed face-to-face and online interactive learning spaces. A centrepiece of the Precinct is the Sphere, a digital LED globe suspended over two floors with a changing menu of innovative visual content.
To prepare you to be an inspiring, innovative and confident teacher for the future, you’ll be able to experiment and innovate in preparation for professional experiences in schools and early childhood centres. The spaces facilitate just the right balance of collaborative learning, interaction and quiet individual research.
Our expert teaching staff will inspire you to push boundaries, be curious and innovate - qualities you will in turn foster in the students you teach.
Explore this course
We will ensure you can step into your career with confidence and continue to adapt to ongoing workforce changes and future opportunities. Some key inclusions in the course are:
- a deep understanding of early childhood learning and development
- curriculum and pedagogy knowledge and practices creating positive learning environments for young learners
- inclusion and diversity
- building positive relationships with parents, carers, communities and education stakeholders
- digital technologies
- entrepreneurial thinking and leadership
- innovation and creativity
- evaluation, research and assessment
- developing your professional identity
- global perspectives
- resilience.
Visit the student and graduate blog to find out more about what it’s like to study education and where a QUT degree can take you.
We will ensure you can step into your career with confidence and continue to adapt to ongoing workforce changes and future opportunities. Some key inclusions in the course are:
- a deep understanding of early childhood learning and development
- curriculum and pedagogy knowledge and practices creating positive learning environments for young learners
- inclusion and diversity
- building positive relationships with parents, carers, communities and education stakeholders
- digital technologies
- entrepreneurial thinking and leadership
- innovation and creativity
- evaluation, research and assessment
- developing your professional identity
- global perspectives
- resilience.
Visit the student and graduate blog to find out more about what it’s like to study education and where a QUT degree can take you.
Specialisation for primary teaching
As this course qualifies you to teach to Year 3, you will undertake a primary specialisation as required by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership in literacy. This will enhance your skills in a national area of priority for a primary school setting.
If you want to teach only in prior-to-school early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings and gain a professional early childhood teacher qualification, then you may be interested in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five).
Flexible delivery
At QUT, our flexible courses accommodate busy lives, offering credit for suitable early childhood qualifications and work experience.
You can complete your course in 3.5 years, rather than 4, with summer semesters, and study on campus or online, with some evening sessions available. Online students join a learning community with expert support and easy access to course content.
Professional Experience placements can be done in your home region, with schedules provided in advance, and QUT library resources can be mailed to you. During this course, you are required to complete 95 days (equivalent to 665 hours) of professional experience placements.
Credit for diploma studies and work experience
If you have completed a relevant diploma, you can build on your qualification and receive credit for completed study. Additional credit is offered for relevant work experience.
You can receive 96 credit points of advanced standing (equivalent to 1 year of full time study) if you have any of the following:
- a Diploma of Children's Services (Early Childhood Education and Care)
- an Advanced Diploma of Children's Services
- an equivalent accredited qualification.
You can receive 144 credit points of advanced standing (equivalent to 1.5 years of full time study) if you're a domestic student who has completed the appropriate level of early childhood work experience, as well as any of the following:
- a Diploma of Children's Services (Early Childhood Education and Care)
- an Advanced Diploma of Children's Services
- an equivalent accredited qualification.
Specialisation for primary teaching
This course qualifies you as an early childhood teacher to teach young children in prior-to-school settings (e.g., kindergarten) and the lower years of primary school (Prep-Year 3). As part of this degree, you will undertake a primary specialisation as required by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership in literacy.
Apply for a Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship
The Australian Government is supporting new students looking to start teaching, by providing $40,000 for full-time Bachelor of Education students or $20,000 for full-time Master of Teaching students.
Round One applications for 2024 have now closed. Round Two applications to start study in 2025 are expected to open in late 2024/early 2025.
Careers and outcomes
As early childhood specialists, graduates are prepared to work as qualified teachers in early learning centres and kindergartens. The early childhood degree also prepares you to teach in Prep to Year 3 in primary school and can allow you to work across Australia and overseas.
Early childhood teachers develop a range of skills, knowledge and practices as a result of their own unique combination of work experiences and personal qualities. You will be empowered to shape your own career path and explore the many ways to make an impact. You can explore a range of careers, including:
- childcare centre or kindergarten director
- education policy and program implementation
- training and development roles in private and public organisations
- education and outreach roles
- developing products for the early childhood sector
- learning designer
- entertainment industry roles
- consultancy
- education research.
If you want to teach only in prior-to-school early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings, and gain a professional early childhood teacher qualification, then you may be interested in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five).
Professional recognition
This course meets professional teaching standards for the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and Queensland College of Teachers. Graduates are eligible to apply for teacher registration. Graduates are also recognised as qualified early childhood teachers under the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority framework.
In order to complete this course, you must complete a total of 384 credit points, made up of:
- Core units - 300 credit points (25 units)
- A primary specialisation in English/Literacy - 48 credit points (4 units)
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) option unit - 12 credit points (1 unit)
- QUT You - 24 credit points
Core and primary specialisation units are comprised of psychology, sociology, curriculum and professional experience units, which have compulsory practicum placement or work-integrated learning components.
In order to complete this course, you must complete a total of 384 credit points, made up of:
- Core units - 300 credit points (25 units)
- A primary specialisation in English/Literacy - 48 credit points (4 units)
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) option unit - 12 credit points (1 unit)
- QUT You - 24 credit points
Core and primary specialisation units are comprised of psychology, sociology, curriculum and professional experience units, which have compulsory practicum placement or work-integrated learning components.
- ATAR/selection rank threshold
- 70.00
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2024.
Don't have a ATAR/selection rank?
- Course code
- ED39
- QTAC code
- 404162
- CRICOS code
- 080481D
-
- Online
- Kelvin Grove
-
- Kelvin Grove
- 3.5-4 years full-time
- 8 years part-time
- The 3.5 year accelerated program is only available to full-time students commencing in the February intake
-
Part-time on-campus students should note that daytime attendance is required. Some lectures and tutorials may have evening sessions.
- 4 years full-time
-
Part-time on-campus students should note that daytime attendance is required. Some lectures and tutorials may have evening sessions.
- February and July
- February and July
Prerequisites
- English, or Literature, or English and Literature extension, or English as an additional language (units 3 & 4, C)
- General mathematics, mathematical methods or specialist mathematics (units 3 & 4, C)
Haven't completed the prerequisite subjects?
You may be able to meet the prerequisite requirements if you've completed equivalent subjects or by completing bridging courses.
How to meet prerequisite requirements
Overseas qualifications
We will consider equivalent overseas qualifications for admissions purposes. If you have tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
English language proficiency
We require students to demonstrate they can speak, write, read and comprehend academic English to a specified standard.
Our English proficiency requirements for this course are:
- IELTS (Academic): 6.5 or better overall with no subscore below 6.0
The test must have been completed within 2 years prior to the proposed course start month.
Offer guarantee
If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Advanced standing
If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.
If you intend to apply for advanced standing you can view more information and find out how to apply. If you enter the course with advanced standing you should seek advice on your course progression and the availability of units.
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
More about deferring your offer
Adjustments to your ATAR/selection rank
Any adjustments you receive to your ATAR or selection rank will be applied to this course.
Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your ATAR or selection rank
Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2024
The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.
| Excluding adjustments | Including adjustments | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
84.00
|
Selection rank
91.65
|
| Median ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
80.60
|
Selection rank
82.85
|
| Lowest ATAR/selection rank to receive an offer |
Selection rank
74.55
|
Selection rank
76.55
|
You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.
Other admission options
If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).
Minimum academic requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
I completed secondary school in Australia
- ATAR/selection rank
- 70.00
Offer guarantee
If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Prerequisites
You must have passed four semesters (Units 3 & 4, C) at an Australian high school level or equivalent:
- English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
- at least one of General Mathematics, or Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)
Haven't completed the prerequisite subjects?
You may be able to meet the prerequisite requirements if you've completed equivalent subjects, by completing bridging courses or the QUT Foundation program.
How to meet prerequisite requirements
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / IELTS One Skills Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT / Paper | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Course requirements
Literacy and numeracy
You will need to successfully complete the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students to graduate from the course. You are permitted three test attempts in total for each component as a student at QUT. If you fail three test attempts for each component, you will not be able to graduate. The test will assess your personal literacy and numeracy skills.
Find more information about additional course costs and requirements.
Inherent requirements
There are some essential skills and abilities you'll need to perform to meet the core learning outcomes of your course or unit. They're not something you need to get into the course, but they'll be assessed throughout your course, and they'll be required for you to succeed in your career when you graduate.
Find out more about the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Education.
Blue card
This course requires you to have a blue card so you can participate in work placements and experience.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $5,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $36,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: CSP $4,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $33,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding sporting achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
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