Question 1

What age group will a primary education degree qualify me to teach?

Accepted Answer

A primary education degree qualifies you to teach children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.

If you’d like to teach even younger children in preschools, you’ll need to complete an early childhood education course.

Question 2

How long does it take to become a primary school teacher?

Accepted Answer

It depends on which pathway you take to become a primary school teacher.

If you jump straight into an approved primary teaching degree, it will take you 4 years of full-time study to complete a Bachelor of Education (Primary Education), or 2 years of full-time study to complete a Master of Teaching (Primary Education).

If you decide on a more flexible online study path, you can choose how many subjects you take at once and graduate at a faster or slower pace.

Question 3

Can I really get into a Bachelor of Education even if I don't have a high enough ATAR?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through Open Universities Australia you can get in through two study pathways:

An undergraduate certificate

If you didn’t finish Year 12 or get a high enough ATAR for teaching, you can enrol in an undergraduate certificate in education, like Curtin University's Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching Education Studies. This certificate doesn’t have any entry requirements and is open to everyone. Once you complete the four subjects, you will be eligible to continue straight into a Bachelor of Education with full academic credit.

Single subjects

Alternatively, if you’re still on the fence about primary school teaching, you can try this study option. Through Open Universities Australia, you can enrol in single subjects from a Bachelor of Education without entry requirements, to get a feel for the study area. Once you finish those subjects, you can either walk away, or use them to qualify for entry into the full degree.

Book a consultation with a student advisor for more information about these study pathways.

Question 4

What do you learn in a primary education degree?

Accepted Answer

You’ll learn how to:

teach primary school-aged students in the core Australian curriculum areas, including maths, English, science and technology, history and geography, and arts.
lead and manage a classroom of students from diverse backgrounds and a range of learning abilities.
make lesson plans and assess student work.
teach using appropriate technologies.
understand child development and behaviour.

You can also choose to specialise in an area that interests you, like STEM education, the International Baccalaureate Programme or Indigenous Australian education.

Question 5

What is it like to study primary education online?

Accepted Answer

When you study primary education online, you still cover the same material as an on-campus student. But instead of attending classes in a physical classroom, you watch your lectures and complete your coursework through an online learning portal when it’s convenient to you. This gives you the flexibility to fit study around other commitments in your life like full-time work or carer responsibilities.

Online study can also give you an advantage in the workforce. Former student Ally Kettle had time to volunteer at a local primary school when she completed her online Bachelor of Education with Curtin University. The extra practical experience gave her an edge when a graduate teaching position came up. She landed the role over hundreds of other applicants.

Question 6

Will I go on professional placements?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you’ll have the opportunity to complete professional placements at local, rural, regional or interstate schools and engage with students from all sorts of backgrounds. You’re required to complete a set number of hours in the classroom before you can qualify as a teacher in Australia.

Question 7

Will I be a qualified teacher once I graduate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching courses that are available through Open Universities Australia are approved teaching courses, or what’s known as Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses.

Once you graduate, you will be eligible for registration as a primary school teacher in all Australian states and territories, and in countries that recognise Australian primary teaching qualifications. You will be able to teach in Australian Government, Catholic and Independent schools.

Question 8

What other jobs can I do with a primary teaching degree?

Accepted Answer

Primary education graduates aren’t just restricted to teaching careers. You could also work outside the classroom, in an area such as:

school administration and management
education reform and policy
education research
curriculum design
inclusive education
corporate training
youth guidance counselling.

Question 9

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Accepted Answer

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

Question 10

How do I enrol?

Accepted Answer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Primary education courses

Introduction to Primary education