The University of Sydney is welcoming a surge of high-achieving students pursuing teaching careers, with a 30 percent increase in commencing enrolments for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) across both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in 2025.
The average ATAR for undergraduate teaching degrees at the University of Sydney ranges from 85.1 and 89.7, with many students choosing teaching after achieving ATARs in the high 90s.
Dr Bronwyn Reid O’Connor, Program Director for the Bachelor of Secondary Education, said rising enrolments reflect an appreciation of the skill and contribution of teachers.
“There’s a persistent myth that the quality of teachers and teacher education has declined, but the evidence tells a different story,” Dr Reid O’Connor said.
"Teaching is an increasingly attractive profession for many people on a practical and personal level. At the heart of most aspiring teachers is a genuine desire to share knowledge and shape the lives of future students.
"Modern teaching degrees are built around evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for students and have a strong focus on real classroom experience. Our programs give future teachers the skills, confidence and support they need to succeed in diverse classrooms, ensuring they’re well prepared for their first job.”
Post pandemic trend
In 2025, the University had 371 domestic students commence across six undergraduate ITE degrees – including specialisations in music, health and physical education. There were also 116 commencing domestic enrolments across three Masters of Teaching degrees – including professionals returning as career changers.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott said the larger intake highlights a growing view of education as a rewarding vocation.
“This uplift of quality teachers entering the system will nurture local schools and communities across Australia,” Professor Scott said.
“We’re thrilled to see a renewed interest in teaching. It’s a powerful signal that the profession is regaining its rightful status as a career of choice for talented, civic-minded graduates.”
“This big surge in enrolments is very welcome after concerns that a tough period of teaching and learning during COVID had impacted the pipeline of future teachers. We’ll keep working hard to encourage more school-leavers to consider teaching degrees, and we feel optimistic our national workforce of highly skilled, well-trained graduates is growing again.”
There’s a persistent myth that the quality of teachers and teacher education has declined, but the evidence tells a different story.
Dr Bronwyn Reid O'Connor
Investing in future teachers
The increase in enrolments comes as the NSW Department of Education invests in a partnership with universities to improve the future of teaching across the state by providing support and career opportunities for aspiring teachers. The statewide program, entitled University Partnership Lead (UPL), has the dual objectives of developing a pipeline of public-school teachers with the skills required for successful careers, in addition to attracting ITE students to the geographical areas where teachers are most needed.
Gillian Newall from the NSW Department of Education has recently been appointed the University Partnership Lead at the University of Sydney, where she’ll be on campus two days a week to give personalised career advice on teaching in NSW public schools to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
“Teaching is a valuable career choice not only because it offers plenty of opportunities for growth, development and connection, but it allows you to directly influence the wellbeing and learning potential of your students, making it a profoundly impactful profession,” Newall said.
Why consider teaching?
Sienna Clarke is one such student representing the new wave of high achievers preferencing the classroom as a platform for change.
Sienna is a 1st year Master of Teaching (secondary) student, specialising in mathematics and physics. Sienna graduated high school with an ATAR of 99.4 and completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in physics, biochemistry and molecular biology, and graduating with first class honours, in addition to being awarded the University Medal.
“Teaching is such a powerful occupation,” says Sienna.
“You get to shape the lives of generations to come, which is really the lives of our whole country. It's such a rewarding experience to teach, to see students’ eyes light up when they understand something.
“It's a job that keeps changing. That will always be challenging, and you'll never have a perfect class, but that means you can always be improving, and that's such a joy.”