Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
UndergraduateCUR-ECE-DEG2018
Course information for 2018 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Comprehensive pre-service teaching preparation
Enter the valued profession of early childhood teaching and child care. Study core subjects, professional studies and electives to be qualified to teach children aged 0-8 years in early learning centres and in junior school settings.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
Entry pathways available with no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 29
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
About this degree
On completion of the degree students will be able to:
- make informed decisions regarding teaching and learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the learner and curriculum
- reflect, create and manage learning environments and be self-motivated and critical in the approach to teaching and learning
- access, evaluate and synthetise relevant information and evidence from a range of sources applicable to teaching and learning
- communicate effectively and work collaboratively in educational and community contexts
- design and incorporate information and communication technologies effectively into educational contexts
- regularly reflect critically on their professional knowledge and teaching and learning practise to enhance student learning outcomes
- recognise and apply appropriate international perspectives in educational contexts
- demonstrate respect for cultural diversity in educational contexts
- plan, implement, analyse and evaluate a range of teaching, learning and assessment practises, demonstrate leadership in education.
This degree prepares pre-service teachers to teach children aged birth to eight years in early learning centres and in junior primary classes. The teaching profession and quality teacher training programs in particular have become a universal focus for the sustainability of our society. Teaching continues to be a valued and sought after profession in all countries. In accordance with this philosophy, Curtin provides a high quality undergraduate degree for beginning early childhood teaching that is acclaimed both nationally and internationally. Curtin is proud of its highly qualified and experienced Education staff who provide a vibrant and contemporary learning environment.
Graduates of this degree are sought after by employers seeking highly skilled teachers. The program is sequential and developmental in nature and consists of 29 subjects, equivalent to four full-time years of study. This degree includes core studies, professional studies and elective subjects. Subjects cater for the different needs of early childhood education pre-service teachers. Pre-service teachers are able to undertake electives to specialise in an area of interest.
Recommended study pattern
This degree is an OUA Pathways degree, which means there is a recommended series of subjects that, once successfully completed, can be credited towards this degree. To commence the Pathway for this degree, simply select subjects from the Pathway stream below.
If you do not choose the OUA Pathways, Students can instead follow the study pattern below:
Students are required to complete all the subjects in each year of the degree before progressing to the subjects of the subsequent year. For example, all first year subjects should be completed prior to enrolling in a second year subject. Students must complete any prerequisite subjects required. The standard full-time study load is two subjects per study period.
Students must complete all first, second and third year core subjects prior to enrolling in any fourth year subjects.
All core and elective subjects must be completed before enrolling in the Internship and all students will need specific clearance from Curtin University’s School of Education prior to enrolment in this subject.
Award requirements
Students must complete all subjects. There are 29 subjects in the Bachelor of Education (ECE). These are comprised of:
- coursework subjects
- units requiring professional experience block placements in a variety of settings, including a final Internship placement of at least 50 consecutive days (1 full term) in a school context
- elective subjects
Students must successfully complete all required subjects in the degree prior to undertaking the Internship
Please note that students can be terminated from this degree if they fail to make satisfactory progress.
LANTITE Completion Requirement
Students are also required to provide evidence of successful completion of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students (LANTITE) prior to enrolment in the Internship subject. The test is managed by ACER and details of the test (for example, sample questions, the Test Window dates, and registration) can be found at: https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/. Students are responsible for meeting the costs associated with taking these tests, which are a national requirement applicable to all teaching graduates.
Students must successfully complete all required subjects in the degree and the LANTITE prior to enrolling in the final professional experience subject.
Choose your subjects
Electives
Students can select the three elective units in this course from any unit offered through Open Universities Australia. We advise students to contact their course coordinator for advice regarding enrolling in other education courses offered by Curtin as electives units.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
The new degree will be rolled out one year at a time, beginning with first year subjects in 2014. In 2014, first year subjects will be the new degree subjects, while all other subjects for second, third and fourth year remain the same. In 2016, first, second and third year subjects will be new degree subjects, and so on until the entire degree will be replaced in 2018. This means that most students who began the degree prior to 2014 will experience no changes to their degree or subjects – they will simply progress through the existing degree as expected. In the event that students need to access subjects from both the old and new degrees (for example, due to study disruptions or crediting from other institutions) then an Individual Study Plan will be created for those students by Curtin University Academic Support Staff.
No student will ever be required to complete more than 28 units plus the final Internship, as all previous subjects completed will always be credited to the student’s degree.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $25,000
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 13
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 14
Entry requirements
Start small with no entry requirements
Yes, you can get into this degree!
Start with an undergraduate certificate regardless of your ATAR or study history. Here’s how:
Undergraduate certificate
Start with a certificate
Complete an undergraduate certificate in as little as six months. You'll gain a recognised qualification and credit to bring to the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education).
View certificate detailsContinue to the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
Enter the degree with full credit from your certificate. You'll study for the same amount of time as students who go straight into the degree.
Alternate entry requirements
Want to apply for the degree straight away?
To gain direct entry into this degree, you need to meet ONE of the following requirements:
- Complete and pass 4 degree level subjects at an Australian university
- Have a Diploma or Advanced Diploma from an Australian provider
- Have a Certificate IV from an Australian provider AND show evidence of English language proficiency
- Have an ATAR of 70 (or equivalent), with at least Mathematics Applications ATAR (desirable)
- Complete and pass the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with both Written English (WE) and Verbal and Quantitative (MC) OR a university preparation program from any Australian university.
With the exception of eight open enrolment subjects, this is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
There are eight open enrolment subjects in this degree. Students do not have to submit an Application Form for open enrolment subjects, and can enrol in EDC151, EDC161, EDC131, EDC101, EDC155, EDC141, EDC171 and EDC111 through Open Universities Australia.
Students who successfully complete two from these eight open enrolment subjects may apply under the Academic Eligibility category for admission to the restricted Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) program provided they have satisfied other eligibility criteria. Please read Planning your application (PDF, 27 KB).
Open enrolment subjects as electives
Students who do not satisfy all of the Eligibility requirements for this degree, or students who do not intend to apply for admission to this degree, may study the Open enrolment subjects as electives. Please refer to the Award Requirements or Electives sections on your degree page for information about the maximum number of level 1 electives you may include in your degree.
- Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard units) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- Successful completion of two of the eight OUA open enrolment units: EDC151, EDC161, EDC131, EDC101, EDC155, EDC141, EDC171, and EDC111 and separate evidence of English proficiency is required OR
- Successful completion of four OUA degree level units at pass level. (This satisfies English language proficiency requirement.)
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. Desirable WACE course: At least Mathematics Applications ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
- Finished secondary education more than two years ago
- Bridging and enabling course entry
- Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady - https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/uniready-enabling-subjects-curtin-university-cur-unr-deg
- Enabling courses completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this course.
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies - http://karda.curtin.edu.au/
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications - https://courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/admission-requirements/
Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:
- Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent)
- Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian university
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
- Successful completion of two degree level units via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
- Successful completion of two degree level units at an Australian university and English proficiency
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)*
- International English Language Testing System (Academic)*
*Please note these tests are only valid for two years.
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at http://students.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/English_List.pdf.
Applications for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) are assessed on a case by case basis according to Curtin University policies which is available at http://policies.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/policy/Credit_for_Recognised_Learning_Manual.pdf.
Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all necessary documentation for a formal assessment.
To officially apply for CRL, students need to submit the CRL application form available from http://students.curtin.edu.au/administration/documents/Application_for_CRL.pdf to opencurtin@curtin.edu.au along with supporting documents. Accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For detailed scanned documents requirements and guidelines, please visit http://courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/admission-requirements/scanned-documents.cfm.
For further information, please contact opencurtin@curtin.edu.au.
Study method requirements
Professional Experience Placements
Students are required to complete subjects containing professional experience in an early learning centre or school. Applicants must obtain a Working with Children Check (WWC) and other relevant State requirements prior to undertaking any subjects which require placement in a school or early learning centre on a volunteer or scheduled basis. Students will be required to complete 105 days of placements during the degree.
All students are required to complete compulsory professional experience placements as part of designated subjects in the second, third and fourth year of the degree. Placements are undertaken on a full-time basis for the number of days shown in a continuous block and students need to plan carefully to ensure they are able to meet this commitment. There is a total of 105 days of professional experience in the degree, which satisfies all states' requirements for teacher registration.
Students being admitted to the degree after 1 January 2017, can complete no more than 25% of professional experience days in schools outside Australia. Therefore, students will only be able to complete one 3 week placement outside Australia and will be required to complete all other placements within Australia.
Note: The third year of the degree includes two professional experience subjects that require a placement in a school of 15 consecutive days and 25 days in an accredited Early Learning Centre with infants, toddlers and young children (Birth-5 years of age) The Early Learning Centre placement will comprise of a 1 day visit for 10 weeks immediately followed by a block of 15 consecutive days. The language of instruction must be English.
Students require access to one accredited Early Learning Centre with infants and toddlers (Birth-2 years of age) and three schools in which to undertake the professional experience placements (and be able to travel to these educational settings). The language of instruction must be English.
None of the four professional experience placements can be broken or split into shorter periods.
In those circumstances where the student is having difficulty securing a placement, Curtin University staff will assist and will seek input from the student to identify possibilities before making direct contact with the school or centre. Students having difficulty should contact Curtin in sufficient time to ensure that they are not disadvantaged due to their personal inability to identify a site for professional experience.
Further information about the professional experience placement requirements will be provided to students who have been admitted to the degree. Students who may seek to vary any of the stated conditions and requirements in the various professional experience subject handbooks must contact hum-ed-ouaprac@curtin.edu.au prior to enrolling in the subject.
The final placement of 5 pre-visits and one full school term is the final unit in the degree and cannot be undertaken until all other units have been successfully completed. Clearance will be given to enrol in the internship unit pending results of final units.
Working with Children Check
A Working with Children Check (as required in the state or country of residence) is compulsory.
Due to the specialist nature of the teaching profession, and the practicum placement component of this course, all successful applicants will be required to have a current Working with Children Check and any other relevant State requirements before engaging in any observation or practicum placement. If students have any doubt about their eligibility to acquire these clearances they should contact the local Teacher Registration Authority.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this degree will have the skills, knowledge and experience required to teach in early childhood education and care settings. Upon graduating with this degree you will be qualified to teach children from birth to eight years of age. Additional careers include Child Care Coordinator, education administrator or policy development officer.
Professional recognition
This degree is recognised nationally as an initial pre-service teaching qualification. Initial Teacher Education degrees in Australia are accredited by the relevant authority in the state or territory in which the institution providing the qualification is based.
Accordingly, the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) degrees provided by Curtin University are fully accredited by the Teachers Registration Board of WA (TRBWA). This applies to the WA campus-based delivery of the degrees and to the online delivery provided through Curtin's partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Graduates of these accredited degrees are thus able to register as practising teachers with the registration body in their home state or territory, based on the degree accreditation provided by the TRBWA.
Below is link to the list of state-based teacher registration bodies for reference.
State-based Teacher Registration Bodies (PDF, 30Kb)
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Child Care Centre Managers | $75K to $93K | Up 12.7% |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | $75K to $93K | Up 41.3% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.