Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary)

Upon successful completion, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and technical pedagogic knowledge of:
   1. learners and their learning,
   2. the contemporary and professional practices of teachers and teaching,
   3. the concepts, structure and resources, including ICTs, of selected teaching areas, and
   4. education as a multi-disciplinary field and its role in the pursuit of human flourishing in community through social justice, equity and the common good.      
2. Apply cognitive, technical and communication skills to plan, implement and evaluate a range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies within safe, supportive and effective learning environments.
3. Demonstrate broad theoretical knowledge and pedagogical skills to analyse and respond to the needs of diverse learners, including consideration of linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds, and learning and participation of students with disability.
4. Apply communication skills for engaging ethically and professionally with students, parents/carers, colleagues, other professionals and community members within schools and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, elders and community leaders.  
5. Demonstrate autonomy and responsibility in practice and judgement as reflective, culturally aware and responsive professionals who meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers – Graduate level.

If you want the flexibility of multiple career options to teach in primary or secondary schools, the Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) is the perfect degree for you. As both a primary and secondary teacher you will be able to inspire, nurture and engage young people in a positive learning journey. This degree will equip you with deep knowledge of critical ideas and pedagogical approaches to meet the diverse learning needs of students.

With this dual-sector qualification, you will develop a breadth of skills in primary curriculum and one specialist secondary teaching area. You will gain a solid foundation in primary English and literacies, mathematics, humanities and social science, digital technologies, health and physical education and the arts. You will then shape your professional identity with a secondary specialisation.

With a Bachelor of Education degree from ACU, you will graduate classroom ready with real-world practical experience through 80 days of professional experience in schools and education settings under direct supervision and guidance.

Recommended study pattern

To qualify for this degree, a student must complete 320 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:

• 60 cp from Education Studies units (Part A);
• 60 cp from Effective Teaching units (Part B);
• 110 cp from Primary Curriculum and Discipline Studies units (Part C);
  • 80 cp from First Teaching Area units:

• 10 cp from Primary and Secondary Specialisation Units to extend Primary specialisation (Part F);
• 0 cp from ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Units (Part G).

Other requirements:

Students must pass all professional experience components, including professional experience embedded within units:

• Requirements for working with children: All students enrolled must have the appropriate approvals before they may enter a classroom. These are Blue Card (Queensland), Working with Vulnerable People Registration (Australian Capital Territory), or Working with Children Check (New South Wales, Western Australia, and Victoria), Working with Children Clearance (Northern Territory), or Police Record Check (South Australia and Tasmania). International students must bring police check documentation from their own countries. To meet the requirements for working in settings other than schools, a National Police Check may be required. All students who have lived in another country for 12 months or more must provide a police check from that country for that period.

Award requirements

Students must successfully complete the requirements as described in the Study Pattern section.

Exit points

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of a course listed below may exit from the course with that qualification. Note that none of these qualifications qualify a student to teach in Australia.

• Non-Award Certificate in Educational Studies
• Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
• Bachelor of Educational Studies
• Diploma in Liberal Arts
• Certificate in Liberal Arts.

A student who does not meet the LANTITE requirements may access an appropriate exit point if they meet the requirements of that award.

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

Indicative total fee $39,296

The amounts shown here are 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.

Australian Catholic University – So much more

An Australian Catholic University (ACU) education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of human dignity, and advancement of the common good.

ACU aims to transform lives and communities. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom, solve real-world problems, develop their own search for meaning and cultivate strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth are critical to ACU. It is a university of service – so much so that it is built into the curricula. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships or volunteering opportunities.

Learn more about Australian Catholic University

Explore Australian Catholic University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

33

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

27

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.

In addition, applicants will be required to demonstrate suitability for teaching.

All applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed:

a. the following prerequisites at year 12 level or equivalent:

If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be. 

Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course: 

• ACU Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
• ACU Bachelor of Educational Studies

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

For current year 12 students

If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above. 

For non-school leavers

If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements. 

ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners or with ACU College, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.

Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course: 

• ACU Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
• ACU Bachelor of Educational Studies.

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.

If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.

• If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
• If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
• You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
• If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.

Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course: 

• ACU Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
• ACU Bachelor of Educational Studies

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Coordinator about applying for RPL.

All initial teacher education programs must include a defined period of professional experience, where pre-service teachers practice teaching in a school under the direct supervision and guidance of an appropriately qualified teacher. 

ACU offers students a minimum of 80 days of professional experience that occurs in structured supervised settings. Supervised professional experience is at the heart of all our pre-service teacher education courses and the faculty will find appropriate placements to suit the needs of your course.

Domestic students enrolled in this course may be eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment. Read more about the payment and browse the eligibility criteria.