Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
ATAR:
Lowest selection rank*: 70
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
4 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
Hybrid
Start dates:
24 February 2025
28 July 2025
Application due dates:
View How to apply
Apply

Overview

Develop the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in the lives of primary school students, with the Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Victoria University. Combine study with practical learning, gaining the teaching experience needed to excel in the classroom.

This program is designed for students wishing to teach within a primary school setting.

You’ll learn the latest techniques to support students in their learning. You’ll also get real work experience through 113 days of supervised teaching practice in primary schools, beginning in the first year of your course.

During your studies, you'll gain the skills needed to confidently teach maths, science and English. You can also choose to focus on a particular passion, specialising in:

  • Disability Studies
  • arts and humanities
  • physical education
  • sustainability
  • student welfare.

We also offer the following specialisations (additional units):

  • literacy
  • numeracy/science
  • Aboriginal Yulendj (knowledge).

With an education degree from VU, you'll graduate job-ready.

You’ll combine study with professional practice, undergoing 113 days of supervised practical learning in a range of public, private, rural and remote schools.

Footscray Park Campus has everything you need, all set a pleasant stroll from the Maribyrnong River and parklands.

Facilities include:

  • pool and fitness centre
  • learning common spaces with wifi, tables and chairs
  • restaurants and cafés.

Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.

You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:

  • databases
  • e-learning content for courses
  • student email
  • student software packages
  • social networking tools.

On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back
Text logo, reads: Victorian Institute of Teaching, Initial Teacher Education Program, accredited until Dec 2028.

This course has been accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

Careers in teaching

You could be employed in a public or private primary school.

Graduates with a major in Disabilities Studies will be qualified to teach in Special Education settings.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Education (Primary) students will be required to complete 384 credit points consisting of:

-
288 credit points of Core studies;
-
96 credit points of Major studies.

Year 1

Year 2

And

Major Unit 1

Major Unit 2

Year 3

And

Major Unit 3

Major Unit 4

Year 4

And

Major Unit 5

Major Unit 6

Majors

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of pedagogy, curriculum and assessment based on learning theories and research into how students learn in relation to the changing nature of education in a rapidly-evolving global context,  
  2. Critically review the development of educational policies and knowledge of educational issues to improve classroom practice in primary classrooms and strengthen students' relations with their local community,  
  3. Plan learning programs that richly embrace a varied curriculum and that articulate and exhibit the ideologies of socially just education through awareness, inclusion, equity and access in ways that respond to students' diverse physical, social, cultural and intellectual characteristics,  
  4. Analyse the importance of fostering creative skills, thought processes, oral and written communication techniques, including in the use of Information and Communication Technologies, to engage and connect with students, their parents/carers and the wider community so as to prepare them to confront and pro-actively solve 21st Century challenges,  
  5. Develop contextual understandings of contemporary life in a global community, and collaborate with students and colleagues to promote principles of peace, sustainability, ethical conduct, and political and economic freedom,  
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant discipline-based content to plan, deliver and assess high quality educational programs to primary school students.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Essential requirements for admission

Successful completion of a non-academic attributes assessment, for example, the CASPer test or equivalent. CASPer is an online test designed to assess and applicant's personal and professional attributes and is a requirement for all initial teacher training courses in Victoria.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) with an ATAR of 70 or above (after adjustments) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English other than EAL.
PLUS: Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of Maths: General Mathematics, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 35 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 25 in any Mathematics equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any Business, Drama, any Humanities, any Information Technology, any LOTE, Physical Education or any Science equals 5 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 15 points.

ATAR profile

VU course code: EBPE

Campus: Footscray Park

 

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of either 22451VIC Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation or 22602VIC Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least one semester of a non-Initial Teacher Education pathway Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent)
OR
Successful completion of the Diploma of Education Studies with a minimum average of 70.
OR
Successful completion of the first year of the Bachelor of Education Studies with a minimum average of 70.
Completion of the Diploma of Education Studies (EDES) or the first year of the Bachelor of Education Studies (EBST) allow students admission in the second year of EBPE.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate with an ATAR of 70 or above (after adjustments) more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Completion of Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English (or equivalent) other than EAL.
AND:
Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of Maths: General Mathematics, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Additional information

Students will also have to satisfy the National requirements for teacher registration through satisfactory completion of the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students prior to starting the course or prior to commencement of their second full-time year of study. A satisfactory achievement of the benchmark of the test is required before course completion for teacher registration can be approved.

Students will require a Working with Children Check to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site link to obtain additional information:
http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

No student profile information available for this study period. This is a new course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Diploma of Education Studies

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation 22602VIC

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 24 February 2025
  • 28 July 2025

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply through VTAC

Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:

  • you are applying for more than one course
  • you are completing Year 12 in 2023
  • you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2024

VTAC course code: 4301012801

VTAC very late applications are due 14 January 2025.

Apply via VTAC

Special Entry Access Scheme

You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.

Apply direct to VU

Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:

  • you are a current VU student
  • you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2023

Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

Enquire now

Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.

Information marked with an asterisk "*" is required.

Refer to our privacy policy and data collection notification statement for more information.

Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.