Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
Duration: 
0.5 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
City Campus
Online Self-Paced
VU Brisbane
VU Sydney
Delivery mode: 
In person
Online Self-Paced
Start dates:
24 February 2025
28 April 2025
28 July 2025

View all start dates
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Apply

Overview

Learn about the practice of teaching young children from birth to 5 years, with a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education.

The course introduces key concepts for teaching young children in early childhood education settings.

You will complete four units to gain expertise in the concept of responsive teaching, focusing on different ways of knowing, being and doing in the Australian context.

On course completion, you’ll understand how to create rich and varied learning opportunities in early childhood settings. You’ll learn about teaching and learning approaches that are based on sound ethical principles, reciprocal relationships, and children and families as capable contributors.

Those wishing to register as an early childhood teacher will need to pathway from the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education into the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023

Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!

Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model with undergraduate students we have rolled out the Block Model to our postgraduate courses.

This course is delivered in four-week mode, which means you study one unit (subject) at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.

The VU Block Model has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.

VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available to all students.

Need some advice?

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

Request a call back

Career opportunities in early childhood

A Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education provides you with an introduction to the field of teaching in early childhood education. 

If you wish to register as an early childhood teacher in Victoria, you will need to complete the remaining content from the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education. 

 

A flexible education

A flexible education

VU student turned VU teacher, Sam Dang followed a flexible pathway from diploma to postgraduate study.

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Course structure

To attain the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education students will be required to complete:

-
48 credit points Core units

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

  1. Exhibit an introductory body of knowledge of early childhood pedagogy in relation to the changing nature of education in a rapidly evolving global context;  
  2. Understand how to create learning opportunities in particular areas that embrace a rich and varied curriculum, ensuring learning and teaching approaches are based on sound ethical principles and foster reciprocal relationships in early childhood settings;  
  3. Critically review different ways of knowing, being and doing founded on the view of children as capable contributors to pedagogical decision-making in learning and teaching.  

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.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from countries other than Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland will be required to complete IELTS: Overall 7.0 with Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.5.
OR the following scores that serve as equivalent scores for the IELTS:
• ISPLR: Overall (3+) L (4), R (3+), W (3+), S (4)
• TOEFL: Overall (94), L (27), R (21), W (24), S (24)
• PTE: Overall (65-72), L (73), R (58), W (58), S (73)
Applicants with a minimum of a 3 year Bachelor's degree from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland will not be required to complete IELTS.

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.

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.

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

Master of Education

You will be credited for up to 48 credit points of study.

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

Additional information

Working with Children Check: Applicants must complete a Working with Children Check prior to undertaking placement.

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 April 2025
  • 28 July 2025
  • 29 September 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 direct to VU

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

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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.