Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies)

At the end of the program, students of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies)

can:

1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical early childhood situations.
2. Communicate early childhood knowledge and values in professional and public contexts.
3. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
4. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional practice.
5. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate discipline specific solutions/responses.
6. Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise complex early childhood problems.
7. Use digital technologies and literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
8. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values.

This nationally accredited course is designed to graduate early childhood educators who are competent teachers ready to work in schools and a range of early childhood settings.

A key feature of this course is connecting theory with practice. Graduates will have the knowledge and be able to develop early childhood educational programs for children from birth to 8 years of age.

Partnerships with over 1,000 schools and early childhood settings allow pre-service teachers to gain experience in diverse settings, including public, private, metropolitan, regional and remote contexts working with children, families and communities.

In addition, a distinguishing feature of this course is that pre-service teachers have the opportunity in the fourth year of their course to specialise and broaden their knowledge and skills in an area of interest. Units are also available in the degree that enables pre-service teachers to complete accreditation requirements to teach in Catholic schools.

Final year Pre-Service Teachers can apply for a place in the internship program in either a school or early learning setting.

Recommended study pattern

This course has a Semester 1 intake only, commencing in February.

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Drama Arts in Early Childhood Education
• Becoming an Early Childhood Educator
• Learning and Learners
• Communication Skills for Teaching and Learning

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 480 credit points which consists of 24 core units and a supplementary program.

Choose your subjects

Electives

The supplementary program options are: - an Internship plus one (1) unit from any of the listed specialisations; or - a School-based program plus one (1) unit from any of the listed specialisations; or - ECS4330 and ECS4261 plus a listed specialisation; or - ECS4330 and ECS4261 plus any 3 units from any of the specialisations (note - If students select this option no specialisation will be recorded on the academic transcript). Early Childhood Specialisations are: - Arts - Catholic Studies - Creativity in Early Childhood - Diversity in Early Childhood - Special Education

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $16,600

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.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

Learn more about ECU.

Explore ECU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

26

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

25

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

All applicants are required to satisfy non-academic criteria, in addition to satisfying academic entry criteria. Applicants' non-academic capabilities will be assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire.

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. Academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Cert IV;
• Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment.

For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

Alternatively, applicants can apply with the indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published.

Alternatively, applicants can apply via Experience Based Entry Scheme, subject to eligibility.

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any 

of the following:

• Results of Year 12 English ATAR or English Literature ATAR 

with a grade C or better or equivalent.

• Results of a Special Tertiary Admissions Test to ECU’s 

standards.

• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no 

individual band less than 6.0).

• Completion of 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher 

in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada.

• Completion of an ECU University Preparation Course, 

Indigenous University Orientation Course, or Aboriginal University 

Readiness Assessment.

• Completion of a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate 

Degree as described by the Australia Qualifications Framework.

• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or 

higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or

• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted 

by ECU

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options: 

• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE. 

• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training.)

Practicum

In each year of the program, students undertake compulsory Professional Experience and in the final year, students undertake an Assistant Teacher Program (ATP) comprising of one term of approximately 10 weeks of continuous teaching practice. The Assistant Teacher Program is conducted during the final year of the course in the second term of the school year.

Attendance requirements

Generally host Schools and Centres require that the pre-service teachers attend the placement on a full time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular placement. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements.

Internship option

The internship equips Pre-Service Teachers with the mastery and knowledge to lead their own classrooms. Pre-Service Teachers are placed in either classrooms or early learning settings where they will fulfil a diversity of roles, tasks and duties to provide a well-rounded experience of working as a teacher. Students will be required to attend the school or early learning setting for 4 days per week (8 hours each day) during term 3.

Attendance requirements

Generally host Schools and Centres require that the Pre-Service Teachers attend the placement on a full time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular placement. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements.