Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures); and
(a) have a minimum of three Band 5 and/or E3 HSC results including English; or
(b) have completed at least a year (48 credit points) of discipline studies (non-Education units) in a higher education qualification; or
(c) have completed a NESA-approved alternative entry pathway; or
(d) (i) hold an AQF Level 5 Diploma in Children’s Services approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA); and
(ii) have completed early childhood workplace experience comprising one year full-time (or equivalent) room leader experience after satisfying the above requirement or two years full-time (or equivalent) experience as a family day care accredited provider or an early childhood teacher assistant/aide or an accredited before and after school carer after satisfying the above requirement; or
(e) hold a three-year AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in Early Childhood recognised by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) with a conferral date of not more than 10 years prior to the proposed commencement in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary); or
(f) hold a four-year AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in Primary Education, or an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree and an AQF Level 9 two-year pre-service primary teaching qualification, recognised by the NSW Education Standard Authority (NESA) or interstate equivalent body, with a conferral date of not more than 10 years prior to the proposed commencement in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary); and
(g) satisfy the School of their suitablility for teaching through the satisfactory completion of the Personal Statement for Initial Teacher Education Course Entry.

English Language Proficiency

A candidate shall comply with the University's English Language Requirements for Courses in Education Accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority.

Additional Requirements

Prior to undertaking a professional experience placement in New South Wales, there are a number of mandatory requirements which must be fulfilled.

Working with Children Check*

All students intending to enrol in units of study involving a practical experience placement or otherwise requiring interaction with children, will be required to obtain and maintain a NSW Working with Children Check clearance (or equivalent, depending upon relevant State requirements). The student is required to provide the University with appropriate evidence of their clearance, which will be verified at UNE. Relevant Government agencies will advise the University of any bar that may be placed upon a student, and UNE will respond accordingly.

Child Protection Awareness Training*

All teacher education students must complete online Child Protection and Awareness Training prior to the commencement of their first professional experience placement.

Anaphylaxis Training*

All initial teacher education students must be trained in anaphylaxis management before they can undertake any professional experience placements.

*These requirements are subject to change. Students are referred to the Office for Professional Learning - Professional Experience Placement webpage for current information (including requirements for other states).

Fit for Practice/Informed Consent Information

Prospective candidates should only accept an offer of a place in this course if they are able to meet the following "Fit for Practice" requirements:

• abide by relevant UNE Rules and Procedures, for example, Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules, and any relevant School of Education Policies, for example, the Professional Experience Policy for professional placements;
• exercise sound judgement based on cognitive, mental and physical health and be able to respond appropriately to demands of teaching situations;
• demonstrate personal resilience and persistence to cope and maintain wellbeing under stressful situations;
• demonstrate satisfactory academic progression prior to professional placement;
• safeguard the University's integrity and demonstrate duty of care to students/children while engaged in professional experience;
• show personal maturity to ensure that a professional relationship is established with students/children;
• communicate to students/children with clarity and in an appropriate manner that relates to their age/profile;
• possess and model the literacy and numeracy skills expected of teachers in interactions they have within the classroom and broader settings;
• be able to create, evaluate and reflect on the physical and emotional safety of students/children in a variety of situations and environments; and
• be able to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with colleagues and the broader school/early childhood community.

Candidates who have or who develop a disability that may or will prevent them from meeting the above professional experience requirements should contact Student Support to see if reasonable adjustments are practicable.

Candidates who have difficulties in meeting some of the above professional experience requirements will be required to contact the Office for Professional Learning to put in place remedial and/or counselling activities through a pro-active approach to improve their teaching practice.

Professional Placements

A requirement of accreditation is that primary school professional placements must be undertaken in a school using NSW Education Standards Authority syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses and be assessing teaching proficiency against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Students may only complete up to 10% (7.5 days) of the required primary professional experience (practicum) days in primary schools not using NSW Education Standards Authority syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses. Limited placements can occur in non-Australian settings in accordance with the NESA policy regarding overseas placements. Early Childhood Education service professional placements must be undertaken in ACECQA-approved Early Childhood Education Services with a four year-qualified supervising teacher and using the Early Years Framework for Australia. Students are referred to the Office for Professional Learning - Professional Experience Placement webpage for further information. Students who are required to undertake professional experience placements must read, understand and adhere to the Professional Experience Policy of the School of Education.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Candidates admitted under Rule (d) shall be granted a maximum of 42 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 84 credit points may be granted based on undergraduate Early Childhood units taken as part of an incomplete AQF Level 7 ACECQA-Approved Early Childhood Teaching qualification.
Candidates admitted under Rule (e) shall be granted a maximum of 78 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 36 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based.
Candidates admitted under Rule (f) shall be granted a maximum of 96 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 30 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based.

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rules (a) or (b) or (c), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) four years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rules (d), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) three and a half years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to seven years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rules (e), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) two and a half years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to five years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (f), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.

Due to academic qualification requirements this course cannot be completed in less than three years unless the period of candidature has been reduced for advanced standing granted.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 192 credit points which includes 135 days of embedded professional experience.
With the exception of candidates admitted under Rule (f), who already have an approved Initial Teacher Education qualification, all candidates must pass the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students to qualify for the award. The test must be passed before the final professional experience placement.
With the exception of candidates admitted under Rule (f), who already have an approved Initial Teacher Education qualification, all candidates must pass a Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) during the final professional experience placement.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rules (a) or (b) or (c)

To view complete Program of Study click here

Articulation Program

This program is articulated with the following ACECQA-approved programs:

For candidates admitted under Rule (d)

Diploma in Children's Services or equivalent. Candidates must pass units to the value of 150 credit points.
See the ACECQA website for ACECQA-approved Diploma-level qualifications.

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (e)

Three Year AQF Level 7 ACECQA approved Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Teaching (ECT) with a conferral date of not more than ten years prior to the proposed commencement of studies in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary). Candidates must pass units to the value of 114 credit points.
See the ACECQA website, Qualification Level "ECT".

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (f)

Four-year AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in Primary Education, or AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree and an AQF Level 8 or Level 9 one or two year pre-service primary teaching qualification, recognised by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) or interstate equivalent body, with a conferral date of not more than 10 years prior to the proposed commencement in the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary). Candidates must pass units to the value of 96 credit points.

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary).

Exit Pathways

Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the non-accredited, non-teaching qualification, Diploma in Educational Studies, on completion of 48 credit points at 100-level or above.
Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the non-accredited, non-teaching qualification, Bachelor of Educational Studies, on completion of 144 credit points including at least 36 credit points at 300-level or above.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary). This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University or external body requirements.

Academic Progress

Candidates admitted under Rules (a) to (e) who have not passed the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students before their final professional placement may be asked to show cause why their candidature should not be discontinued and they be transferred to another course.

Candidates admitted under Rules (a) to (e) who are unable to pass the Teaching Performance Assessment will be transferred to another (non-teacher education) course.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.