Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Campus note	*This course will be available at the Warrnambool campus from Trimester 1, 2027.
Length	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$38,200 for 1 yr full-time AUD
CRICOS code	102806B Burwood (Melbourne), Warrnambool
Level	Undergraduate
VTAC codes	1400511183 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place 1400711183 - Warrnambool, International full-fee paying place
Deakin course code	E333
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Course sub-headings

Course overview

If you are inspired to teach young children Deakin’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education prepares you to become a confident, capable educator. You will study areas including; child development, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, professional studies and key learning areas of literacy, mathematics, science, and the arts.

Ranked #3 in Australia and #13 worldwide for education and educational research*, Deakin is also the only university to embed the Berry Street Education Model into all of our initial teaching degrees. You’ll graduate equipped with practical, trauma-informed strategies to support every learner. You’ll know how to manage safe, healthier and more engaging learning environments and build positive classroom relationships to promote academic success – giving you and your employer confidence.

You will complete placements, at least 80-days, in a range of early childhood settings, gaining the skills to teach children from birth to age five in this growing sector.

Do you want to start your journey to becoming an early childhood educator?

Fast-track your way to becoming an early childhood teacher with this three-year degree.

Deakin maintains close links with the education sector to ensure our courses are developed and reviewed with professional input. You will be taught by experts who have teaching experience andare recognised as leaders and innovators in their fields. This means you can be confident that what you learn with us will be relevant to your future teaching career.

The Professional Experience Program is a key part of every Deakin teaching student’s course experience. Working with more than 1400 schools and 500 early childhood centres across Australia, we’ll arrange at least 80-days of placements for you in early childhood education and care settings where you will learn from experienced early childhood teachers.

Choose to study via our premium online learning platform and have the additional flexibility to balance work, life, and study. Studying online is collaborative and engaging, while still allowing you to complete your studies when and where it suits you.

You may also be eligible for an attractive scholarship offered by Deakin or by the Victorian Government for pre-service teachers enrolled in early childhood teaching courses.

Additionally, the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an early childhood teaching qualification in Australia** and provides students with an approved pathway from the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (previously Diploma of Children’s Services) offered through TAFE. Eligible students may receive up to 8 credit points of recognition for prior learning towards their degree.

* U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Subject Rankings 2025-2026

**This program is accredited in Australia as an initial teacher education qualification in Early Childhood Education, approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as an Early Childhood Teacher and may be able to register in other Australian states and territories. As requirements vary across jurisdictions and may change, Deakin cannot guarantee or represent eligibility for registration outside Victoria. Graduates seeking interstate registration are responsible for confirming current requirements with the relevant authority.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Professional recognition

This program is accredited in Australia as an initial teacher education qualification in Early Childhood Education, approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as an Early Childhood Teacher and may be able to register in other Australian states and territories. As requirements vary across jurisdictions and may
change, Deakin cannot guarantee or represent eligibility for registration outside Victoria. Graduates seeking interstate registration are responsible for confirming current requirements with the relevant authority.

Fees and charges

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Career opportunities

Employment in education and training is projected to grow by 12.4% or 150,100 new jobs by 2034 according to Australia Government employment projections.^ Graduates are qualified to work in early childhood settings as early childhood teachers, educational leaders, coordinators, or advisers. Graduates may also find employment opportunities in:

consultancy
NGOs
policy
research or community-based organisations (e.g. museums, outdoor education, arts institutions, etc)

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

^2024 Jobs and Skills Australia, Employment Projections May 2024 to May 2034.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Critically evaluate theory and research informed principles and practices in early childhood education and apply these in accordance with relevant policy and regulatory settings and the changing conditions of contemporary society.
Communication	Effectively evaluate, apply and reflect on a range of communication strategies appropriate for early childhood education and care professionals.
Digital literacy	Critically evaluate a range of technologies to determine responsible and ethical use in educational settings and beyond and apply these appropriately to your professional development and engagement as a teaching professional.
Critical thinking	Critically evaluate theory and practice and contextualise these within early childhood contexts to generate sound judgements and evidence informed practices.
Problem solving	Synthesise and evaluate information, perspectives and conditions to generate creative and responsive practices for diverse individuals and groups in early childhood education settings.
Self-management	Apply agency, autonomy and responsibility for professional development, practice and the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Teamwork	Work productively and respectfully in active collaboration with a range of diverse stakeholders and communities to achieve shared educational goals.
Global citizenship	Apply culturally responsive, critically reflective and embodied self-knowledge of decolonial praxis in the design, delivery and evaluation of teaching and learning that honours and respects the educational expectations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and diverse learners, families and communities.

Approved at Faculty Board 2025

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, you must pass 24 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
ETI010 Trauma Informed Practice (0 credit point compulsory unit)
24 credit points of core units
a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3 or above

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Year 1

Compulsory 0-credit point units

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

To be completed in the first year of study:

ETI010

Trauma Informed Practice (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

ESL010

Science Education Lab Safety Induction (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Units

ECE110

Children's Development

ECE111

Curriculum, Play and Pedagogy

ECE120

Introduction to the Teaching Profession

ECE103

Early Years Learning Environments

ECE112

The Planning Cycle

ECE116

Children's Health and Wellbeing

ECE130

Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities

ECP128

Introduction to Professional Practice and Infant/Toddler Pedagogy

ECE140 Creative Arts 1: Young Children and the Arts [No longer available for enrolment, ECE103 replaces this unit]

Year 2

ECE211

Mathematics in the Early Years

ECE220

Science and Environment in the Early Years

ECE230

Language and Literacy 1: Foundations

ECE241

Creative Arts 1: Music and Movement

ECP252

Professional Experience 1: Infant/Toddler Pedagogy and Early Mathematics

ECE270

Guiding Engaged Learners

ECP228

Professional Experience 2: Planning for Individual Children

IND202

Decolonising Teaching and Learning: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation on Unceded Lands

ECE212 Curriculum 3: Planning and Assessment for Teaching and Learning [No longer available for enrolment, ECP252 replaces this unit]

ECL101 Science of Reading [No longer required for cohorts commencing from 2026, previously titled Understanding Early Reading Development]

Year 3

ECE313

Critical Inquiry: Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education and Care

ECE330

Multiliterate Learners in Early Years and School Environments

ECE340

Creative Arts 2: Visual Arts and Drama

ECP305

Professional Experience 3: Group Planning and Transitions

ECE380

STEM Inquiry Learning

ECE344

Inclusive Education for Young Children

ECE420

Supporting Children Making Transitions

ECP703

Protective Education and Children's Wellbeing

ECE352 Supporting Emerging Mathematical Skills for Infants and Toddlers [Only available to continuing students for 2026 and 2027]

ECE370 Guiding Engaged, Resilient Learners [No longer available for enrolment, ECE270 replaces this unit]

ECE404 Inclusive Education for Young Children [No longer available for enrolment, ECE344 replaces this unit]

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

Academic requirements

Academic requirements - Current or recent secondary education

If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

Year 12 prerequisite subjects

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL

ATAR

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent.

Academic requirements - Higher education study

If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)

You are required to complete the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admission Test) Multiple Choice if you have not completed Year 12 or studied in the last ten years.

Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice results for entry into Deakin University.

Academic requirements - VET study

If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet all of the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

full or partial completion of a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent)
full completion of an Australian higher education award (or equivalent) e.g. certificate IV level or higher

You are required to complete the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admission Test) Multiple Choice if you have not completed Year 12 or studied in the last ten years.

Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice results for entry into Deakin University.

Academic requirements - Work and life experience

If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven’t undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.

Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.

* You will need to meet all of the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

You are required to complete the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admission Test) Multiple Choice if you have not completed Year 12 or studied in the last ten years.

Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice results for entry into Deakin University.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 6.5) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.

Admissions information

Applicant indicator profile report of all applicants applying to Deakin University Teaching courses in Trimester 1, 2026.

Pathways

Pathways for credit are available for this course. Details of institutional credit agreements are published in the RPL database. International students can apply for packaged offers for some of these pathways.

Applicants who have completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) are eligible to receive 8 Credit Points, gaining entry into the course in the second year.

Credit for prior learning - specific

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education provides an approved pathway from the Diploma of Early Childhood Education (Previously Diploma of Children’s Services) offered through TAFE. Applicants who have completed the Diploma of Early Childhood Education may receive 8 credit points of Recognition of prior learning, gaining entry into the course in the second year.

Alternative exits

Associate Degree of Educational Studies (E224)
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (E320)

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

International student requirements

International students are required to study full-time to complete their course within the duration registered on CRICOS.

Workload

Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period for each credit point undertaking required teaching, learning and assessment activities.

Work experience

Professional Experience Placement

Students will satisfactorily complete 80-days of supervised professional experience placement in a wide range of education and care settings and a 5-day introductory placement experience in early childhood education and care settings across their degree, as outlined below:

Year 1: 5-days in infant and toddler education and care settings (introductory).
Year 2: 1 x 20-days in an infant and toddler education and care setting and 1 x 20-days in a kindergarten setting (40-days).
Year 3: 2 x 20-days in a kindergarten setting.

The School of Education Professional Experience Office makes all arrangements for students’ placements.

Participation requirements

Professional Experience Placements are a compulsory component of the course and a requirement for registration as a graduate teacher. Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Students are required to check the placement calendars published on the Professional Experience Office website each year. Placement takes priority over employment and placement periods are generally block placements of 5 full-time days per week over 2-5 weeks.

Course delivery is blended and students are required to dedicate time to weekly engagement with located or online teaching and learning activities and resources. This is recommended at combined total 8-10 hours per week per unit including active learning/engagement either face to face or online, and independent study.

Some units will require students to attend early childhood settings or institutions for site-based learning and teaching experiences.

Mandatory student checks

Students will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. Learn more about Working with Children Checks.

Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course.

Inherent requirements

It is expected that all students will be able to abide by, and ensure their behaviour is in accordance with the Deakin University initial teacher education inherent requirements.

Immunisations

Immunisation and/or vaccination requirements will be communicated by the Professional Experience Office in line with the Department of Education and Training's directions at the time of placement.

For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience Office.