Facts & figures
- #26 in the world for Education
- 2023 QS World University Rankings
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Studying Primary education
Answers to all your frequently asked questions
So why study primary education? Unsure what age range the BEd (Primary) trains you to teach? And what are some of the career paths, beyond teaching, for primary grads? Check out this FAQ for the answers.
Why become a primary teacher?
Short answer: Because you can make a difference by helping children grow through education.
Many of our primary grads say the same thing: they didn’t choose primary teaching, primary teaching chose them. For many, choosing to study a Bachelor of Education (Primary) is a passion, a calling.
Primary school teachers are trained to deliver classes based on syllabus and curriculum but the role is so much more than that: primary teachers are responsible for establishing a child’s lifelong learning and are instrumental in shaping their intellectual and social development.
There aren’t many other careers with that level of responsibility or sense of reward.
What age group does “primary education” cover?
Short answer: From Kindergarten to Year 6 (K-6).
The Bachelor of Education (Primary) qualifies you to teach in primary schools.
It does not qualify you to work in preschools (you’d have to complete a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) to do that).
What will I learn to teach?
Short answer: A lot. Primary school teachers are trained to teach the whole curriculum.
You’ll gain a comprehensive education across all the key primary subject areas covering education and professional fundamentals, along with units in science and technology, maths, English, history and geography (HSIE) and creative arts.
You’ll also take subjects that focus on Aboriginal education, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) and special education to increase your cultural competency and ability to effectively teach a diversity of students.
If you get good marks in maths or science through high-school or in your first-year mathematics or science subjects, you can take specialise in mathematics or science and technology.
Are professional placements available?
Short answer: Absolutely. In fact, they’re a big part of the course.
You start school placements in first year and will have completed 560 hours in the classroom by graduation.
These are substantial, hands-on teaching experiences: you begin by observing and interacting with small groups of primary students and, as you progress through the degree, become more involved in the classroom, developing curriculum materials and participating in whole-school activities.
In your final year, you will be competent and confident enough to teach without close supervision.
Besides becoming a primary school teacher, are there other career paths?
Short answer: Yes. Education grads have the ability to work inside and outside classrooms.
As a qualified education professional you’ll be able to pursue careers in school administration and management, curriculum design, or education policy.
Beyond teaching, examples include: curriculum consultancy, educational research, corporate training and development, government (education policy development), school administration, management, and politics.
What can I study?
Prospective students should refer to our course pages for the most up-to-date information.