Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - Geography)
Undergraduate
CUR-SGE-DEG 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Ground your students’ love of geography
Boasting a new course structure, this degree promises to hone your skills as a geography teacher. Gain the skills needed to teach Geography in Years 7-12 with new subjects and a chance to take on professional experience subjects throughout.
Entry pathways available with no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 16 Feb 2025,
- 17 Aug 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 48 months
- Total subjects
- 29
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - Geography)
About this degree
On completion of the degree students will be able to:
- apply discipline knowledge, principles and concepts associated with effective teaching of secondary school students.
- critically evaluate and synthesise theory, research and practice to apply knowledge of the needs of students from diverse backgrounds and across the full range of abilities to enhance learning.
- assess student learning and analyse diverse sources of data to support valid judgements of student learning.
- plan and deliver effective teaching and learning experiences with demonstrated impact.
- select, curate, use and create a range of digital resources and technologies to support learning and teaching.
- critically and constructively reflect upon professional practice in education by demonstrating responsibility and accountability that makes a positive contribution to a more socially just society.
- engage in a continual cycle of improvement through critical and reflective practices including those based on local, national and global research and evidence-based practices.
- create, lead and maintain positive learning environments for all students, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- communicate professionally and engage collaboratively with colleagues, students, parent/carers, and the community.
- identify and engage in professional learning and demonstrate personal literacy and numeracy competencies to the required accreditation standard.
Bachelor Degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.
Applications for Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - Geography) are only accepted for commencement in SP1 or SP3. Students wishing to commence their studies in other study periods can do so by enrolling in the Level 1 Open Enrolment Subjects.
The Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education) Geography major is designed for people seeking to attain an Initial Teacher Education qualification in order to register as a teacher in Australia and any other countries that recognise an Australian teaching qualification. Students will develop advanced critical skills, knowledge and understanding concerning best practice in education and in meeting the needs of 21st century learners. Students will have four opportunities to engage in professional practice in schools, culminating in a final professional placement of a block one full school term. The Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - Geography) will be chosen by those who wish to teach in Secondary schools in Years 7 - 12. Students in this degree will specialise in one Secondary school curriculum area and will be qualified to teach Years 7 to 12 in this major teaching area. The teaching areas offered in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) are: The Arts (Visual Arts), English and Humanities and Social Sciences (Geography).
Please Note: The teaching areas offered in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) are: The Arts (Visual Arts), English and Humanities and Social Sciences (Geography). Applicants for admission will be required to choose their major teaching area from those offered. Please note: This course is only available to applicants who are residing in Australia for the duration of their degree. As this course doesn’t hold CRICOS registration, international students on a Student VISA are not permitted to undertake this course.
Recommended study pattern
The degree has been designed to be sequential and developmental in nature, meaning that students are expected to complete core and major subjects in each level of the degree before progressing to the subjects of the next level. For example, all level one core subjects should be completed prior to enrolling in any level two core subjects and students should have completed level one and two major subjects prior to enrolling in any level three major subjects. Students must complete any prerequisite subjects required.
The standard full-time study load is two subjects per study period.
See the enrolment planner below:
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (HASS) enrolment planner (XLS)
Award requirements
Students must successfully complete all subjects. There are 29 subjects in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education). These are comprised of:
- Core Secondary Education subjects.
- Core Professional Experience subjects requiring block placements in school settings, including a final Internship placement of at least 50 consecutive days (1 full term).
- Major subjects (relating to the Major Teaching Area chosen on admission).
- 4 specified elective subjects chosen from the list.
Students must successfully complete core, major and elective subjects prior to undertaking the Internship. Students will need specific clearance from Curtin University’s School of Education prior to enrolling in this subject. Please note that students can be terminated from this degree if they fail to make satisfactory progress.
LANTITE Completion Requirement
Students are required to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students (LANTITE) prior to completing their degree. 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: ACER Teacher Education Test. Students are responsible for meeting the costs associated with taking these tests, which are a national requirement applicable to all teaching graduates. Students are expected to have successfully completed the LANTITE between the first and third professional experience subjects in their course.
Choose your subjects
Majors
You can download an enrolment planner via the link below that will allow you to determine the recommended sequence of enrolment based on the major you have selected and the study period in which you commenced your enrolment.
Subjects will not generally be offered in every study period and may not be available at the time that you wish to study them. Your progression in the degree may be impacted if you do not follow the recommended sequence of enrolment. If you wish to enrol in a part-time load then please select one unit from the two listed for each study period.
Electives
Students will complete four specified elective subjects. These subjects must be selected from the list specified by Curtin University’s School of Education.
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.
2025 Changes:
These transition arrangements may apply to any student who commenced study before SP1 2025. If you commenced study in SP1 2025 or later, you should follow the new degree structure.
Changes have been made to the degree structure and subjects including:
- Removing some subjects and adding new subjects to the structure;
- Changes to the recommended year level of some subjects; and
- Changes to the availabilities of subjects, meaning they will be available for enrolment in different study periods.
The Transition Tables below show subjects that will be changed in the new degree structure and recommendations regarding enrolment for transitioning students. A Transitional Enrolment Planner is also provided below, to help you to plan your own enrolment for the remainder of your degree. Transitional arrangements will depend upon the subjects already successfully completed (or for which credit has been granted) up to SP4 2024.
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) Transition Tables 2025 (will be available soon)
Secondary Education - [Major] Transition Planner for students admitted prior to 2025 (will be available soon)
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Replacement subjects are not necessarily equivalent to the old subject and may be offered in different study periods to the old subject.
- You can only use the Transitional Enrolment Planner if you were admitted to the degree prior to SP1 2025.
For further information or advice regarding this change, please contact Curtin Connect at Ask Connect | Curtin University
2024 Changes:
The following specified electives will be offered from 2024:
- EDC430 Teaching About Jesus in Catholic Schools
- EDC435 Teaching About the Gospels in Catholic Schools
They will replace the following, which will no longer be offered in 2024:
- EDC483 An Introduction to Catholic Education
- EDC485 Prayer and Morality in Catholic Studies
Students who have completed the above subjects will have them counted towards the completion of their degrees.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$6,996
Indicative total fee $27,985
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.
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 Ranking 2024:
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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 (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - Geography).
View certificate detailsContinue to the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - Geography)
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.
With the exception of Level 1 unrestricted Education subjects, this is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
This degree has four open enrolment subjects, which students may enrol into without submitting an Application Form. These subjects are:
- EDC105 Teaching and Learning in the Digital World
- EDC135 Child Development for Educators
- EDC181 Communication Skills for Educators
- EDC190 Professional Teaching Practice 1
Students who successfully complete at least two of these open enrolment subjects will meet academic entry requirements for admission to the restricted Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) degree. They will still be required to satisfy all other eligibility criteria.
Non-academic Entry Requirements for Teacher Entry
For entry to initial teacher education (ITE) degrees, you will need to meet both the academic and non-academic entry requirements.
The non-academic suitability requirements will be assessed through the completion of an online questionnaire. This questionnaire is completed as part of the entry process, and you will need to demonstrate that you possess the key attributes and motivations associated with effective teaching. This is because all graduates from Initial Teacher Education courses are required to meet competencies associated with these attributes as outlined by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
For further information and access to the questionnaire follow the link to: Qualtrics Questionnaire
Successful completion of four degree level subjects (equivalent to half a year full-time study) an Australian University (separate evidence of English competence is not required).
- Successful completion of two of the four OUA open enrolment subjects: EDC105, EDC135, EDC181 and EDC190 AND separate evidence of English proficiency OR
- Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level. (This satisfies the English language proficiency requirement.)
- Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent.
- Desirable subject pre-requisites: 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 Prerequisites.
- Successful completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV AND separate evidence of English proficiency.
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Written English (WE) and Verbal and Quantitative (MC).
- Successful completion of Curtin’s UniReady Enabling Program
- Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which are equivalent to at least a half a year full-time study and which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution may be accepted as minimum academic entry requirements for this degree.
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies.
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications.
Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:
- 50% minimum in English ATAR, English Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR (or equivalent).
- Successful completion of at least a half a year full-time (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian university.
- Successful completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma, Advanced Diploma or an Associate Degree awarded by an Australian registered training organisation.
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Written English (WE)*.
- Achievement of the required score on the International English Language Testing System (Academic)* English proficiency test (or equivalent):
- Listening 8.0
- Reading 7.0
- Writing 7.0
- Speaking 8.0
- Overall score 7.5
* Please note these tests are only valid for two years.
For further information please refer to English Language Requirements.
Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at Study at Curtin.
Please note: Curtin School of Education courses embed both theory and professional experience within a unit. Credit for Curtin Professional Experience units requires a complex assessment that includes evaluation of how the unit learning outcomes have been met through both theoretical assessments and school-based application. The school-based application must meet Curtin requirements, which are informed by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.
Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.
To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
Study method requirements
All students are required to complete four compulsory professional experience placements as part of designated subjects, one in each year of the degree. These placements must be undertaken in a registered school where the language of instruction is English.
Placements must be 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 90 days of professional experience in the degree, which satisfies all States' requirements for teacher registration.
No more than 50% of professional experience days may be undertaken in schools outside Australia.
None of the four professional experience placements can be broken or split into shorter periods.
The first-year professional experience subject requires a placement of 10 consecutive days. The second-year and third-year professional experience subjects each contain block placements of 15 consecutive days and the fourth year has a full school term Internship of at least 50 consecutive days. The final placement of 5 pre-visits and one full school term is the final subject in the degree and cannot be undertaken until all other subjects have been successfully completed. Clearance will be given to enrol in the internship subject pending results of all other subjects in the degree.
Students must be able to complete placements in more than one school over the duration of the degree and will complete the majority of their professional experience in their major teaching area. Specific requirements for professional experience will be outlined in the Professional Experience Handbook. Students are expected to be able to travel a reasonable distance to these schools in order to undertake their placements. Students cannot complete their professional experience placement in an educational setting where there exists a conflict of interest. For example any setting in which the student or their close family members are employed or attend. Students are not permitted to be paid for a professional experience placement.
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 Professional.Experience@curtin.edu.au prior to enrolling in the subject.
In 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. 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.
To view the Professional Experience Calendar, please see below:
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students will also be required to meet costs associated with Working with Children Checks and clearances and required assessments such as the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE).
Working with Children Clearances and Certifications
Students will be required to have a current and valid Working with Children Check as required in the state or country in which the placement provider is located. They will also need to meet any other relevant State requirements before engaging in any work with children or professional experience. 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 secondary schools. This degree provides a qualification for those who wish to teach students aged 12 years and over in the government, Catholic and independent school sectors. Additional careers include education administrator or policy development officer.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited in Australia by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.
Below is link to the list of state-based teacher registration bodies for reference:
State-based Teacher Registration Bodies (PDF, 30Kb)
Career outlook
- Secondary School Teachers:
- $93K to $120K
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.