An educator smiling at three children completing an activity.
B-EDEC

Early Childhood Education

Bachelor degree

Play an integral role in shaping the social and cognitive development of young children.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Guaranteed ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
  • Duration

    Duration

    4 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    800
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    020852A
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth,  Curtin Kalgoorlie
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2025

Semester 1

On campus and online

Semester 2

On campus and online

2026

Semester 1

On campus and online

Semester 2

On campus and online

2025

Semester 1

Online

Semester 2

Online

2026

Semester 1

Online

Semester 2

Online

Course outline
Early Childhood Education

Overview

Overview

In this initial teacher education course, you will gain the skills, knowledge and practical learning experiences to teach young children (aged from birth to eight years) in early education settings.

These include early learning and childcare centres, kindergarten, pre-primary and junior primary classes.

You will learn about child development, the curriculum areas and the importance of family partnerships. You’ll also choose two elective units from a list of education subjects to broaden your learning. 

Teaching placements

As part of the course, you will complete four teaching placements in schools or early learning centres. Totalling 840 hours of supervised teaching practice, the placements are undertaken in full-time blocks, regardless of your study mode. You may be able to undertake a rural, interstate or overseas placement.

Your supervised teaching practice will comprise:

  • a three-week full-time block in the second year of your course
  • five one-day visits plus a three-week full-time block, and a four-week full-time block in the third year of your course
  • a block of one school term (typically 10 weeks) in the final year of your course.

 

How this course will make you industry ready

  • Your learning will address the specific needs of early childhood educators, ensuring you graduate with the competencies required to be a successful teacher. 
  • All units are mapped to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority Framework.
  • You will build a professional digital portfolio that showcases your teaching abilities to potential employers.
  • You will complete 21 weeks of teaching practice over the course of your studies, including a 10-week internship where you will take responsibility for a class of children under the mentorship of a qualified teacher.

What jobs can the Early Childhood Education course lead to?

Careers

  • Early childhood teacher
  • Junior primary teacher
  • Childhood education advisor / reviewer
  • Early learning centre educator / manager

Industries

  • Early education (government and non-government)
  • Education (government and non-government)

What you'll learn

  • apply high-level discipline knowledge, principles and concepts associated with effective teaching of children from birth to 8 years
  • draw from theory and research to apply knowledge of the needs of students from diverse backgrounds and across the full range of abilities to enhance learning
  • assess student learning and analyse diverse sources of data to support valid judgements of student learning
  • plan and deliver effective teaching and learning experiences with demonstrated impact
  • use technologies appropriately for learning and teaching
  • engage in professional learning and demonstrate capacity for leadership; demonstrate personal literacy and numeracy competencies to the required accreditation standard
  • engage in critical and reflective practice based on local, national and international research
  • create and manage positive learning environments for all students, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds

Why study Early Childhood Education at Curtin?

Highly ranked course

We rank in the top 70 universities in the world for Education. 

University Ranking by Academic Performance 2023

Get the Curtin edge

Access to leadership programs, specialist facilities and industry placements gives you a competitive edge in the job market.

Professional recognition

This course is recognised by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia and equivalent national bodies.

Professional recognition and accreditation

This course is accredited in Australia by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority, and accredited in Western Australia by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.

Mojuan Luo early childhood education student

I love this course! It has many practical subjects to learn – English, science, art, music, physics, mathematics, curriculum and early-years philosophy. My internship at a primary school was an amazing experience. I learned a lot from my mentor, my supervisor and teachers from other classes.

Mojuan Luo

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    At least Mathematics Applications ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English (WE) and Verbal and Quantitative (MC)

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

8

Reading

7

Listening

8

Overall band score

7.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English (WE) and Verbal and Quantitative (MC)

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

8

Reading

7

Listening

8

Overall band score

7.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    • AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of Higher English language proficiency is required; or
    • AQF Diploma; or
    • AQF Advanced Diploma.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English (WE) and Verbal and Quantitative (MC)

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

8

Reading

7

Listening

8

Overall band score

7.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses at Curtin. 

Please check our general admission criteria.   

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses from another higher education course provider. 

Please check our general admission criteria.   

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7

Speaking

8

Reading

7

Listening

8

Overall band score

7.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

Other requirements and notes for this course

If you are applying through our portfolio entry pathway, please also complete the Qualtrics questionnaire to meet the Non-Academic entry requirement for Initial Teacher Education Courses.

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

All students are required to successfully complete four compulsory professional experience placements as part of designated units throughout the course. These placements must be undertaken in registered schools or early learning centres where the language of instruction is English. 

Placements are undertaken on a full-time basis for the number of days shown in a continuous block and students need to plan carefully to ensure they are able to meet this commitment. The total number of days of professional experience in the course will satisfy all states' requirements for teacher registration. 

None of the four professional experience placements can be broken or split into shorter periods.

No more than 50% of professional experience days may be undertaken in schools outside of Australia. Therefore, students can complete their first three-week placement outside Australia but must complete all other placements within Australia.

Students will be required to have a current and valid Working with Children clearance as required by the state or country in which the placement provider is located. They will also need to meet any other relevant State requirements before engaging in any work with children or professional experience. If students have any doubt about their eligibility to acquire these clearances they should contact the local Teacher Registration Authority.

Students are required to provide evidence of successful completion of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students (LANTITE) prior to completing their course. The test is managed by ACER and details of the test (for example, sample questions, the Test Window dates, and registration) are at Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students.

Students are responsible for meeting the costs associated with taking these tests, which are a national requirement applicable to all teaching graduates.

Students are expected to have successfully completed the LANTITE between the first and final professional experience unit.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Mathematics is desirable.

Applicants must also meet the non-academic entry requirement for all Initial Teacher Education Courses. For further information please see the Non-academic entry requirement . The questionnaire must be completed no more than one year prior to application.

Please note: Credit is rarely given on the basis of professional experience only in Initial Teacher Education degrees as graduates must meet registration requirements set by the accrediting bodies in each state/territory.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

2024 Fee year:

$4,400*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

2025 Fee year:

$4,600*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

To be eligible for the Commonwealth supported fee:

  • Australian citizens must complete some of their course of study while residing in Australia.
  • Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens must be residing in Australia for the entire course.

For further information on eligibility please refer to the Australian Government Study Assist website.

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
  • Online
Semester 2
  • On campus
  • Online

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus
  • Online
Semester 2
  • On campus
  • Online
Curtin Kalgoorlie flag

2025

Semester 1
  • Online
Semester 2
  • Online

2026

Semester 1
  • Online
Semester 2
  • Online

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

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  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: B-EDEC
  • CRICOS code: 020852A
  • Last updated on: 12 December 2024

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