Bachelor of Education (Primary)
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Education (Primary) |
| Deakin course code | E359 |
| Course Credit Points | 32 |
| Course version | 6 |
| Faculty | |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2021 to 2025 |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool |
| Final Intake | Offered to continuing students only. The final intake to this course was in Trimester 1, 2025. Students should contact Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the handbook archive. |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent or 3 years full-time accelerated mode* |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 will be available soon. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
| Supplementary Information | *An optional accelerated course structure is available in this course, allowing students to complete the course in 3-years duration by enrolling into 8 consecutive trimesters. Students undertaking the accelerated course structure are required to enrol in Trimester 3 of the first and second year of the course. All students are advised to seek course advice prior to attempting the accelerated course structure from Student Central. Students have until the start of Trimester 2 of Year-1 to decide whether to enrol into the accelerated course structure. The Languages specialisation and Inclusive Education Elective Sequence are unavailable in the accelerated course structure. International students on a student visa who complete the course earlier than the registered 4-year course duration will have their early completions reported to the Department of Home Affairs, resulting in their CoEs updating to ‘Finished’ status. International students who complete the course early are required to either enrol into another CRICOS registered course that is of the same AQF level as their visa was granted for or depart Australia within 28-days from the date of their early completion reporting. International students are advised to seek visa advice by contacting a Registered Migration Agent on the MARA website. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Build a solid foundation in primary curriculum (foundation to Year 6) and graduate in-demand and classroom-ready when you study Deakin’s accredited Bachelor of Education (Primary). Learn how to teach across a range of subjects and specialisations from mathematics, science, the arts and literacy.
Ranked #3 in Australia and #13 worldwide for education and educational research*, Deakin is 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.
Fast-track your career with our accelerated learning option. Achieve a four-year equivalent qualification in only three years of full-time study if you undertake selected units in Trimester 3.
Want to inspire the next generation and make a real difference as a primary school educator?
Our industry-shaped courses are developed and reviewed with input from professional educators and the education sector, meaning your learning will be highly relevant to your future teaching career. Build your confidence under the expert guidance of experienced staff who are recognised leaders and innovators in their fields.
Our Professional Experience Program will give you real-life teaching experience with guaranteed placements throughout your degree. Working with more than 1400 schools across Australia, we will arrange at least 80 days of placements for you in schools where you will learn from experienced teachers. You will also have access to specialised teaching spaces on campus to prepare for your teaching career.
Choose a specialisation and develop advanced skills in a priority area of the primary curriculum, such as:
- health and physical education
- humanities
- languages (not available as an accelerated completion)
- English
- mathematics
- science
- the Arts.
Broaden your perspective by choosing to take part in our rural, regional, remote, or metropolitan placements. You will have the opportunity to learn within a diverse range of communities in Australia or learn about intercultural education when you travel overseas – all while gaining credit towards your degree.
Before beginning your studies, prospective teaching students need to successfully complete the Casper test – an online, video scenario-based test that lets you demonstrate your suitability for a teaching career.
* U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Subject Rankings 2025-2026
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as a nationally accredited course and students are eligible to apply for registration with VIT upon graduation. If you intend to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate you may be required to provide further information. Applicants are advised to check the registration requirements in their state or territory, carefully.
Participation requirements
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
This course includes 115 days of supervised professional experience and requires students to successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment (DTPA) in their final year. If a student does not pass the DTPA, they must seek guidance from the Course Director.
Graduation from the course confirms that students have met the Graduate Teacher Standards and achieved all Core Content learning outcomes outlined in Schedule 2.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Teacher Education Graduation requirements
Students undertaking an initial teacher education course must pass an approved literacy and numeracy test in order to be eligible to graduate and apply for teacher registration. Learn more about the literacy and numeracy test.
Working with Children Check
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.
Contact Hours
For each unit of study, you are expected to participate in at least three hours of formal contact each week of trimester. A minimum of 6-hours of study time in addition to the formal contact is also expected for each unit each week.
You will complete a minimum of 80-days supervised school experience over the duration of the course, providing hands-on experience in a primary school setting.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Acquire broad and coherent theoretical knowledge and understanding of education and the application of this knowledge and skills in teaching and learning, particularly for primary school contexts |
| Communication | Engage in appropriately diverse effective interpersonal, oral, written, digital and non-verbal communication with students, their parents or caregivers, colleagues and other stakeholders to demonstrate empathy, develop rapport and build professional teacher/ student/ parent/ caregiver relationships with trust for quality learning and teaching. |
| Digital literacy | Select, collect, use and create a range of digital teaching and learning resources and technologies to support student engagement and learning. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate and synthesise contemporary research and theoretical perspectives relating to teaching, student learning, and using diverse assessment data to make judgements about the use of appropriate teaching, learning and assessment strategies. |
| Problem solving | Critically reflect on professional practice to generate creative, innovative and authentic solutions to a range of real-world problems encountered in the learning and teaching contexts and professional learning communities. |
| Self-management | Actively work and learn independently with responsibility taken for professional actions and judgements |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals, families and members of the wider community who share responsibility for student learning and their wellbeing. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional, intercultural and ethical approaches that addresses social justice, equity, diversity, and sustainability issues. |
Approved by Faculty Board
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Education (Primary) you must pass 32 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- ELN010 Australian Literacy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first year of study
- ELN011 Australian Numeracy Test (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first year of study
- 26 credit points of core units
- 4 credit points of primary subject specialisation
- 2 credit points of course electives
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 10 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.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Note:
To be eligible to graduate, students must complete three zero (0) credit point units:
- ELN010 and ELN011, which support the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE). Students are expected to attempt these tests in your first year; failure to do so may prevent course progression until an attempt is made.
- Students must also meet all academic progress and conduct requirements. For unit enrolment advice, contact Student Services.
Course structure
Core units
Year 1
| ELN010 | Australian Literacy Test (zero (0) credit points) |
| ELN011 | Australian Numeracy Test (zero (0) credit points) |
| ECL101 | Science of Reading |
| EES102 | Scientific Knowledge for Primary Teachers |
| ESM102 | Mathematical Knowledge for Primary Teachers |
| ETP103 | Foundations of Teaching: Becoming a Professional |
| ETP104 | Foundations of Teaching: Planning for Teaching and Learning |
| EEO101 | Teaching Primary Humanities 1 |
| EEH116 | Teaching Primary Health and Physical Education |
| ECA215 | Teaching Primary Creative and Performing Arts 1 |
ETP102 Social Contexts of Education [No longer available for enrolment, ETP104 replaces this unit]
SIT106 Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics [No longer available for enrolment, ESM102 replaces this unit]
ECA100 Engaging and Exploring Arts Education [No longer available for enrolment, ECA215 replaces this unit]
Year 2
| ECL210 | Multiliterate Learners in Early Years Environments |
| EEH217 | Student Health and Wellbeing |
| ESM211 | Children and Mathematics: Developing Mathematical Concepts |
| ETP200 | Classroom Management |
| IND202 | Decolonising Teaching and Learning: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation on Unceded Lands |
| EES245 | Teaching Primary Science 1 |
Plus:
- 2 credit points of specialisation units from the table below;
Year 3
| ESM310 | Teachers and Mathematics: Creating an Effective Classroom |
| ETP300 | Educating Students with Additional Needs |
| ETP303 | Curriculum and Pedagogy |
| ECL310 | Teaching Primary English and Literacy: 3-6 |
| EEA311 | Primary Arts Education: Focussed Study |
Plus:
- 2 x 1 credit point elective units (Inclusive Education pathway students take specific elective units)
- 1 credit point specialisation unit from the table below;
Year 4
| EEO410 | Humanities Inquiry Pedagogy |
| ECL410 | Teaching Primary English and Decision Making |
| EES440 | Primary Science Education 2 |
| ESM410 | Professional Practice and Mathematics: Designing An Inclusive Program |
| EST400 | Primary Technology Education: Creativity and Design |
| EPR786 | Transition to the Profession 1 |
| EPR787 | Transition to the Profession 2 |
Plus:
- 1 credit point specialisation unit:
| ECP400 | Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community |
ETP400 Assessment: Ways of Knowing Learners [No longer available for enrolment, EPR786 replaces this unit]
ETP403 University-To-Work Transition [No longer available for enrolment, EPR787 replaces this unit]
Electives
In your course you have two electives. These can be made up by completing the Inclusive Education option OR a combination of any two undergraduate units offered across the university.
Inclusive Education Elective Sequence
If you would like to complete the Inclusive Education sequence, you will need to successfully complete
- two elective units:
| EIE702 | Teaching and Learning in the Inclusive Classroom |
| ECE344 | Inclusive Education for Young Children (previously ECE404) |
- You will be supported to focus on inclusive education practices during your Year 3 Professional Experience placements
Specialisations
Primary Specialisation - Health and Physical Education (SP-E359007)
Specialisation Unit 1
| EEH203 | Sport and Exercise Practice |
OR
| EEH315 | Teaching Sexuality and Relationship Education |
OR
| HBS109 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
Specialisation Unit 2
| HBS110 | Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) |
Specialisation Unit 3
| ETP405 | Primary Specialisation Pathway: Pedagogical Content Knowledge |
Specialisation Unit 4
| ECP400 | Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community |
Primary Specialisation - Languages (SP-E359008) (Unavailable in Accelerated E359 course offering)
Specialisation Unit 1
Diploma of Languages units^
Specialisation Unit 2
Diploma of Languages units^
Specialisation Unit 3
| ETP405 | Primary Specialisation Pathway: Pedagogical Content Knowledge |
Specialisation Unit 4
| ECP400 | Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community |
Primary Specialisation - Language and Literacy (SP-E359002)
Specialisation Unit 1
| ALL153 | Literature for Children and Young Adults |
Specialisation Unit 2
| ALL230 | Adapting Children's Texts Across Media |
OR
| ALL260 | Australian Literature |
Specialisation Unit 3
| ETP405 | Primary Specialisation Pathway: Pedagogical Content Knowledge |
Specialisation Unit 4
| ECP400 | Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community |
Primary Specialisation - Mathematics and Numeracy (SP-E359001)
Specialisation Unit 1 and 2
Choose two Specialisation units from:
| SIT190 | Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs |
| SIT103 | Database Fundamentals |
| MAF101 | Fundamentals of Finance |
ESM215 Problem Solving, Modelling and Mathematical Applications [No longer available for enrolment]
Specialisation Unit 3
| ETP405 | Primary Specialisation Pathway: Pedagogical Content Knowledge |
Specialisation Unit 4
| ECP400 | Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community |
Primary Specialisations - Science (SP-E359003)
Specialisation Unit 1
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
OR
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World |
OR
| SLE103 | Ecology and the Environment |
Specialisation Unit 2
| SLE123 | Physics for the Life Sciences |
Specialisation Unit 3
| ETP405 | Primary Specialisation Pathway: Pedagogical Content Knowledge |
Specialisation Unit 4
| ECP400 | Building Leadership Capacity in the School and Wider Community |
^ Deakin has four options for languages study: Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Spanish:
Concurrent enrolments in A221 Diploma of Arabic or A222 Diploma of Chinese, or A223 Diploma of Indonesian, or A224 Diploma of Spanish or equivalent with up to 4 credit points of RPL are given upon the completion. The Diploma can be undertaken concurrently with another course and is of 3 years part-time duration with eight credit points. There are two options for each Diploma: i) for students with no background in the language; or ii) an advanced study for those with Year 12 level (or equivalent) in the language.
Diploma of Languages is only available able to domestic students.
Work experience
Professional Experience Placement
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is undertaken under the banner of Professional Experience Placements; however, it is important to note the other activities that have been undertaken throughout the review period that contribute to WIL outcomes. Students in ECL410 and EES440 complete these units through an embedded school-based delivery model to support the application of knowledge in practice and with the support of classroom-based teachers.
Students will satisfactorily complete 80-days of professional experience placement in primary education settings, as outlined below:
Year 1: 5-days days in primary school settings
Year 2: 10 days in primary school settings
Year 3: 10 and 15 days (25 days in total) in primary school settings
Year 4: 2x20 days (40 days in total) in primary school settings
The School of Education Professional Experience Office makes all arrangements for preservice teacher placements. The number of professional experience days align with requirements of external regulatory authorities (Victorian Institute of Teaching VIT).
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Commonwealth Prac Payment - Domestic students only
The Australian Government has introduced the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to help eligible domestic students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place studying teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work cover the costs associated with mandatory placements. For more information on the eligibility criteria and application process please visit our Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.