Bachelor of Education (Primary)

If you dream of inspiring young minds and making a difference, you’ll enjoy a rewarding degree, studying primary education and teaching.

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) leads to a rewarding career as a Primary School Teacher (kindergarten – year 6). Primary education is the critical period where children cultivate life- long skills, helping them to grow and transition into young adults. Students of this degree graduate with the skills, knowledge, and influence to nurture capable, confident, and well- adjusted individuals.

Students entering education programs must meet any additional requirements as determined by the NSW Education Standards Authority and Australian Government teacher education policy. Our education degrees are accredited with the NSW Education Standards Authority. Refer to Your accreditation on the NSW Education Standards Authority website.

Our programs are designed with pathways to cater for students from a variety of educational backgrounds, including applicants who have met the NSW Education Standards Authority requirement of three HSC Band 5s (including one in English). For those applicants who may not have met the NSW Education Standards Authority requirement on entry, and who otherwise meet the University of Newcastle academic entry requirements, there are pathways which enable you to meet the teacher education milestone by the completion of the first year of study (80 units) in the program. For further information, refer to Admission into teacher education degrees on the University of Newcastle website.

Visit the AITSL website for further information on current Australian Government teacher education policy.

Areas of study

Primary teaching in all of the primary subjects including English; mathematics; science and technology; personal development, health and physical education; creative arts; human society and its environment; Behaviour management, foundations of primary education, how to teach K-6 curriculum, language and literacy development, psychology of learning and teaching.

To diversify your skills and enhance your job prospects, you will study a discipline depth  in one of the following areas: human society and its environment, creative arts, mathematics, science and technology, special education or personal development, health and physical education.

Career opportunities

Primary school teacher, special education teacher, community educator, education policy, analyst, curriculum developer, educational materials developer.

Professional recognition

Accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

Practical experience

There are 3 placements in primary school settings totalling 90 days for domestic and international students. As these are professional placements, international students should have a professional level of spoken and written English.

New Colombo Plan Mobility Program – experience teaching in bilingual classrooms in Asia with funding available

You can also take advantage of:

• SimTeach – live simulation experience where student teachers can practice instructional strategies with avatars operated by a real human.
• SimSchool – a computer-generated classroom environment designed to introduce student teachers to the language of education and behavioural interactions of classrooms.
• SimCave  – a 360° immersive environment that provides student teachers with the best of immersive learning experiences and the potential to use new digital media for deeper, creative and cultural learning.

In order to attend a placement in a NSW Department of Education facility or other NSW School or Service, all students must meet all the education placement requirements.

Honours

Students who complete their first two years of the program with at least a credit grade point average have the option to internally apply for admission to the Research Honours program for their final two years.

Fees and charges

Refer to University of Newcastle current fee information.