Primary education courses
Introduction to Primary education
Do you want to teach young children during their first years at school—and make a lasting impression on their lives?
Open Universities Australia can help you find the pathway into primary school teaching that suits you best, whether you want to start small without entry requirements, or dive straight into an accredited primary education degree.
Start below to compare online primary teaching courses from leading universities. When you study your course online through us, you get to explore teaching theories from home, while completing essential professional placements at real primary schools.
We’re here to answer any questions you may have about your study choices. We can also guide you every step of the way through your enrolment, so you don’t have to navigate the complex world of university administration on your own.
What to study to be a teacher
To become a qualified teacher you need a bachelor or postgraduate degree in education.
So what’s the right option for you?
Bachelor degree
Best suits you if:
You have an ATAR of 70 or higher or have done VET studies
Don’t have the right ATAR? No worries
View pathwaysPostgraduate degree
Best suits you if:
You have already completed a bachelor degree in any discipline
Pathways to becoming a teacher
You don't have to put your future on hold if you didn't finish high school, or get the right ATAR.
Start uni with a study pathway today.
No entry requirements
Two options to start
Undergraduate certificates
- Begin your path to becoming a teacher candidate straight away
- Best for aspiring teachers who are domestic students
- Flexibly upskill in as little as six months to open up career opportunities
- Gain a qualification and four subjects to credit toward a bachelor degree
- Access student loans to support your journey
Single subjects
- Best for students who want to start small and try out study
- Flexibly upskill a specific area in as little as 13 weeks
- Earn credit with each subject to count towards a bachelor degree
- Access student loans to support your journey
Continue to a degree with full credits
Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
- 100% online study with a flexibly located placement
- Graduate directly from the university
- Become a qualified teacher anywhere in Australia
Discover primary education courses
Online primary education certificate
Start with no entry requirements, and gain a certificate qualification on the way to completing your degree.
Undergraduate
CUR-HTE-CTFWork towards your future in early childhood teaching
Study 4 core subjects in teaching children—and get entry and credit in Curtin’s Bachelor Degree. Topics include language, literacy, and curriculum. Start thinking about your career as a professional early childhood or primary educator.
100% online
6 months full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Online primary education subjects and short courses
Start small with no entry requirements, and gain entry into a Bachelor of Education.
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC121100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 27 May 2024, 25 Nov 2024
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC140100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 27 May 2024, 25 Nov 2024
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC145100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 27 May 2024, 25 Nov 2024
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC175100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 27 May 2024, 25 Nov 2024
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC105100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 26 Aug 2024
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC135100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 26 Aug 2024
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC153100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 26 Aug 2024
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC163100% online
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Starts 26 Aug 2024
Online primary education degrees
Get ready to make a difference in people's lives and become a teacher by studying a bachelor degree.
Undergraduate
CUR-BED-DEGA student centred approach to teaching and learning
Explore teaching strategies and integrate theory with practice. Study lesson planning, classroom management, special education and digital literacy. Gain practical experience through block teaching plus a whole term internship
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Undergraduate
SWI-PRI-DEGA qualification to teach in primary schools across Australia
Study online and gain experience in real classrooms. You’ll study the theories of teaching and learning including curriculum and pedagogy. Teach English, science, maths and more. Understand children’s behaviour and support them on their learning journey.
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Undergraduate
SWI-ECP-DEGTeach children aged between 6 weeks and 12 years old
Study teaching online to work in childcare centres, kindergartens, and primary schools. You’ll explore theories of teaching and learning, and build practical skills in real learning environments. Teach maths, English, art, music, PE and more.
100% online
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Undergraduate
ACU-EDC-DEGConfidence, skills and experience to teach prep to Year 12
Positively influence the lives of young people. You’ll develop as a teacher and a person. Explore curriculum, planning, and pedagogy. Learn to engage your learners and be inclusive. Includes supervised work placements to practice teaching in schools.
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Undergraduate
SCU-ECP-DEGDouble your options to work with young learners
From play to personal development, subjects in this degree prepare you to teach young and school aged children. Study the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy. Delve into science and art. Professional placements help you put theory into practice.
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Undergraduate
USQ-BEP-DEGUndergraduate
SCU-PSC-DEGA teaching degree that gives you more options
With the focus on primary teaching, this degree also covers English curriculum in secondary schools. Study the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy. Professional placements in both primary and secondary classrooms help you put theory into practice.
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Undergraduate
ECU-PRI-DEGA nationally accredited teaching course in primary education
Connect teaching theory with real-life practice. This course combines online learning with professional experience. As a pre-service teacher you’ll work in diverse education settings. Specialisations include maths, music, science, and languages.
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Undergraduate
SCU-PRI-DEGTransform the classroom with a primary teaching specialisation
Become the teacher young students look up to. Study the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy. Delve into science and creative art. Get comfortable with digital technologies. Professional placements in the classroom help you put theory into practice.
Online & on-campus
4 years full time or part time equivalent
Online primary education graduate diploma
Searching for a more fulfilling career? Switch to teaching in just one year with a full time graduate diploma.
Postgraduate
CUR-EDP-GDISwitch careers to primary teaching – in just one year!
An intensive teaching course that covers theory and hands-on experience in real classrooms. You’ll learn to create positive school environments for years 1 to 6 in Australian primary schools. Become a primary educator. Pave a pathway to your Masters.
Online & on-campus
1 year full time or part time equivalent
Online primary education master degrees
Deepen your understanding of education with postgraduate study.
Postgraduate
ACU-TEC-MASBring your love of learning to the classroom
Focus on creating a great environment to support childhood learning. Become a passionate advocate for the rights of children. Explore the ways that you can help children to build knowledge, skills and positive attitudes.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
CUR-PRI-MASUncover your teaching talent with an in-demand qualification
Develop advanced critical skills, knowledge and understanding concerning best practice in primary education to meet the needs of today's learners. As a graduate you will be well-placed to enter leadership pathways in your teaching career.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
CSU-TCH-MASCultivate a love of learning in primary school students
Stack this teaching qualification with your degree to become a primary school teacher. You’ll explore curriculum and the classroom practice. Gain practical experience. Become a dynamic educator skilled in teaching English, creative arts, maths, and more.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
GRF-PRT-MASAdd to your degree and become a primary teacher
Engage with the theory and practice of teaching primary school-aged children. Explore the social context of education, the characteristics of learners and the curriculum. This program is designed for graduates from a non-education background.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
TAS-EDC-MASA recognised teaching qualification in all states and territories
Become an inspiring primary school teacher. Develop your identity as an educator. Build pedagogical knowledge. Get hands-on in placements for 60 days. Start teaching in as little as two years.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
SWI-MTP-MASDevelop a holistic approach to learning
Take your undergraduate study to the next level. Experience real classroom placements and unique development opportunities. With accreditation from the Victorian Institute of Teaching, get ready to make a positive impact on the lives of children.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
USQ-MTP-MASTeach and support children in primary school
Add this approved primary school teacher qualification to your bachelor degree–and become a registered teacher in just 18 months! Discover how to teach children aged 5 to 12. Explore how they learn. Study curriculum and pedagogy. Focus on literacy.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
ACU-TER-MASMaster of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary) / Graduate Certificate in Religious Education
Spread the world of God in the classroom.
Combine your passion for education with a specialisation in teaching religion. Build on your knowledge and skill in teaching children with the basic certification and fundamental knowledge you need to engage children in religious education.
Online & on-campus
2 years full time or part time equivalent
Not sure what to study? Take our course matching quiz.
Help me choose a courseStudent reviews
We support thousands of students on their study journey every year
Our advisors are here to help with your study goals from enrolment to completion 7 days a week.
Primary education study FAQs
A primary education degree qualifies you to teach children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.
If you’d like to teach even younger children in preschools, you’ll need to complete an early childhood education course.
It depends on which pathway you take to become a primary school teacher.
If you jump straight into an approved primary teaching degree, it will take you 4 years of full-time study to complete a Bachelor of Education (Primary Education), or 2 years of full-time study to complete a Master of Teaching (Primary Education).
If you decide on a more flexible online study path, you can choose how many subjects you take at once and graduate at a faster or slower pace.
Yes, through Open Universities Australia you can get in through two study pathways:
An undergraduate certificate
If you didn’t finish Year 12 or get a high enough ATAR for teaching, you can enrol in an undergraduate certificate in education, like Curtin University's Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching Education Studies. This certificate doesn’t have any entry requirements and is open to everyone. Once you complete the four subjects, you will be eligible to continue straight into a Bachelor of Education with full academic credit.
Single subjects
Alternatively, if you’re still on the fence about primary school teaching, you can try this study option. Through Open Universities Australia, you can enrol in single subjects from a Bachelor of Education without entry requirements, to get a feel for the study area. Once you finish those subjects, you can either walk away, or use them to qualify for entry into the full degree.
Book a consultation with a student advisor for more information about these study pathways.
You’ll learn how to:
- teach primary school-aged students in the core Australian curriculum areas, including maths, English, science and technology, history and geography, and arts.
- lead and manage a classroom of students from diverse backgrounds and a range of learning abilities.
- make lesson plans and assess student work.
- teach using appropriate technologies.
- understand child development and behaviour.
You can also choose to specialise in an area that interests you, like STEM education, the International Baccalaureate Programme or Indigenous Australian education.
When you study primary education online, you still cover the same material as an on-campus student. But instead of attending classes in a physical classroom, you watch your lectures and complete your coursework through an online learning portal when it’s convenient to you. This gives you the flexibility to fit study around other commitments in your life like full-time work or carer responsibilities.
Online study can also give you an advantage in the workforce. Former student Ally Kettle had time to volunteer at a local primary school when she completed her online Bachelor of Education with Curtin University. The extra practical experience gave her an edge when a graduate teaching position came up. She landed the role over hundreds of other applicants.
Yes, you’ll have the opportunity to complete professional placements at local, rural, regional or interstate schools and engage with students from all sorts of backgrounds. You’re required to complete a set number of hours in the classroom before you can qualify as a teacher in Australia.
Yes, the Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching courses that are available through Open Universities Australia are approved teaching courses, or what’s known as Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses.
Once you graduate, you will be eligible for registration as a primary school teacher in all Australian states and territories, and in countries that recognise Australian primary teaching qualifications. You will be able to teach in Australian Government, Catholic and Independent schools.
Primary education graduates aren’t just restricted to teaching careers. You could also work outside the classroom, in an area such as:
- school administration and management
- education reform and policy
- education research
- curriculum design
- inclusive education
- corporate training
- youth guidance counselling.
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 may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.
Chat with us to find out more.
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 us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
Student stories and study advice
5 inclusive teaching strategies to know
Start practising these strategies in your classroom now, or bookmark them for your learning journey. Inclusive school communities equal inclusive societies, period.What is inclusive education?
Inclusive education is about students of all abilities, backgrounds and identities learning and growing together. Read more about the positives, negatives and practicalities here.Why teaching is a good career choice
Teaching could help you find purpose and make a genuine difference in the lives of young people. Here’s how.What makes a good teacher?
The best teachers aren’t just knowledgeable authority figures—they also know how to inspire and motivate their students. Here are the characteristics of a good teacher.We’re here to guide you to the right uni course
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.
Over 515,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.
How we can help you
Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.
You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni
We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.
You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year
We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.
You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education
As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.