Duration:
1 year full time or longer for part time
Delivery mode:
Face to Face with eLearning
Location: 
Start dates:
3 February 2025
14 July 2025
Application due dates:
Applications for this course are currently being accepted.

Overview

Start your journey towards a rewarding career in education with the Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation 22602VIC at Victoria University Polytechnic.

This course provides you with the essential teaching and learning skills required to pathway into an undergraduate teacher education program. You will develop fundamental knowledge of the education environment, inclusive education, the teaching profession and approaches to learning in the context of early childhood, primary and secondary schooling.

You will develop the skills to:

  • examine approaches to learning and the ways in which contemporary issues in education impact on teaching and teachers
  • collaborate with and lead others
  • use language, literacy and numeracy at a level required to enter undergraduate level teaching qualifications
  • develop self-management strategies
  • source and select relevant information
  • read, summarise and paraphrase academic literature
  • communicate using academic language and structure
  • use academic referencing systems.

You will also learn:

  • the education environment through participation in a practice stream 
  • the teaching profession and approaches to learning in the context of early childhood, primary and secondary schooling 
  • legislative and policy contexts for education systems and sectors in Victoria 
  • contemporary issues and challenges in the teaching environment.

You will graduate with knowledge of twenty-first century learning and teaching practices and have the confidence to pursue further study in the field.

Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world. You will develop practical skills through our supportive workplace learning model and be job-ready when you graduate.

Throughout this course, you’ll work under direct supervision in a real workplace. You’ll get over 50 hours of practical placement in an education setting, giving you the opportunity to put theory into practice.

Before you can take part in a practical placement in Semester Two, you need to complete all Semester One units. Your progress will be discussed during the mid-semester review, where you'll be provided advice to help you complete the course.

Our partner network includes schools and community and government organisations, particularly in Melbourne’s north and west. Victoria University Polytechnic students are known for their capability in the workplace, and placements can lead to employment.

You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills and knowledge. You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:

  • placements
  • guest speaker presentations
  • scenario-based learning and assessments.

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

Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.

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 for 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

TAFE resources

Careers

This preparation course will help to prepare you for further learning and a rewarding future career in education. Upon completion of this qualification you will have developed the skills and knowledge to pathway into an undergraduate teacher education program.

Possible career opportunities after completion of this course include education support worker.

Please note: completion of this qualification will not result in registration as a teacher.

Course structure

To be awarded the 22602VIC Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation, 12 units must be completed comprising:
- 9 core units
- 1 unit from the education practice stream
- 2 elective units, selected from:
- the electives listed within the 22602VIC Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation qualification
- the units listed within the education practice stream of 22602VIC Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation that have not previously been selected
- any other accredited course or endorsed training package where the unit is first packaged at AQF level 4 or above in the source training product.

VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).

Core units

Elective units

Education Practice Stream

This course supports students to develop the skills and knowledge to transition into Initial Teacher Education qualifications. It provides opportunities for a diverse range of people to pursue a teaching career through a flexible and alternative pathway. It supports access to teacher training for those from diverse backgrounds and life stages who do not currently meet the requirements of the Victorian Selection Framework for entry into initial teacher education courses. It enables learners to prepare for successful participation in undergraduate initial teacher education by supporting the development of study skills and literacy and numeracy skills and introducing them to:

• the education environment through participation in a practice stream
• the teaching profession and approaches to learning in the context of early childhood, primary and secondary schooling
• legislative and policy contexts for education systems and sectors in Victoria
• contemporary issues and challenges in the teaching environment.

Note:Completion of this qualification will not result in registration as a teacher.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: VET

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

  • government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
  • full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).

Calculate your VET course fees.

Find out more about:

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.

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

Entry requirements

Applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.
Practical Placement requirements:
For employment and practical placement purposes, all applicants are required:
- Valid Working with Children Check
Placements will not proceed without this documentation.
The following are suggested sites to access information about these checks:
- Working with Children Check - http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

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.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

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

You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.

You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

How to apply

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

Available start dates:

  • 3 February 2025
  • 14 July 2025

Before you apply

Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.

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

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 23 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 3 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 – TAFE

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Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.

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.