Bachelor of Education (Secondary); Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary)

1 Course codes

2 Attendance pattern

(1) The attendance pattern is full-time or structured part-time mode according to candidate choice. Professional experience placements can only be undertaken full-time.

3 Cross faculty management

(1)  Candidates in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) will be under the supervision of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

(2)  The Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences shall exercise authority in any matter concerned with the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) combined degrees not otherwise dealt with in these resolutions.

(3)  Where the matter relates to a major taught by another faculty, the Dean will consult with the Dean or Associate Dean of the relevant faculty prior to exercising authority.

4 Admission to candidature

(1)  Admission to Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program.

(2)  English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Admission standards set by regulatory bodies, accrediting agencies and government for teacher education must also be met.

(3)  Special admission pathways are open for mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking.

5 Requirements for award

(1)  The units of study that may be taken for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) are set out in:

(a)  Table A for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary);

(b)  Table S from the Shared Pool for Undergraduate Degrees;

(c) Table O from the Shared Pool for Undergraduate Degrees;

(d)  In these resolutions, except where otherwise specified, Table A, Table O and Table S mean Table A, Table O and Table S as specified here.

(2)  Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), a candidate must complete 192 credit points of units of study, comprising:

(a)  60 credit points of core units of study as set out in Table A;

(b)  a major (48 credit points) in Education Studies, as listed in Table A;

(c) a minor (36 credit points) or a second major (48 credit points) as listed in these resolutions under 6(3);

(d)  another minor (36 credit points) or a second teaching area (24 credit points) as listed in these resolutions under 6(3);

(e)  optionally, 6 credit points of elective units from Table O;

(f) if required, additional elective units of study from Table S to satisfy a total of 192 credit points for the course.

(3)  Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary)

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary), a candidate must complete 240 credit points of units of study, comprising:

(a)  60 credit points of core units of study as set out in Table A;

(b) a major (48 credit points) in Education Studies, as listed in Table A;

(c) a second major (48 credit points) as listed in these resolutions under 6(3);

(d) a minor (36 credit points) or a second teaching area (24 credit points) as listed in these resolutions under 6(3);

(e)  6 credit points of units of study in the Open Learning Environment as specified in Table O;

(f) A minimum of 24 credit points of advanced coursework at 4000 level from Table A or a minimum of 24 credit points at 4000 level from Table S, including a community, industry or entrepreneurship project of at least 12 and a maximum of 36 credit points;

(g) If required, additional elective units of study from Table S to satisfy a total of 240 credit points for the course.

(4) For the purposes of accreditation, the requirements of the first teaching area (36 credit points) are completed as part of a major or a minor (other than a major in Education Studies) from the table in 6(3) of these resolutions. 

(5) Selection of majors, minors, second teaching areas and units of study must align with requirements set by the respective Faculty, Schools and disciplines, and regulatory bodies or accrediting agencies. Candidates must also abide by policies and conditions set by regulatory bodies, accrediting agencies and government for teacher education during their candidature.

6 Majors, minors and second teaching areas

(1)  Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

(a)  Completion of a major in Education Studies, a minor or second major and of a second teaching area or minor from the table in 6(3) of these resolutions is a requirement of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary).

(b)  Candidates in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) have the option of completing:

(i)     a second major from Table A in place of the minor; or

(ii)    a second minor in place of the second teaching area.

(c)  Candidates must ensure all other pre-requisite units for graduation and accreditation have been met.

(2)  Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary)

(a)  Completion of a major in Education Studies, a second major and a second teaching area from the table in 6(3) of these resolutions is a requirement of the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary). 

(b)  Candidates in the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary)  have the option of completing a minor from Table A in place of the second teaching area.

(c)  Candidates must ensure all other prerequisite units for graduation and accreditation have been met.

(3)  The majors, minors and second teaching areas available in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and in the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) are:

*The second teaching area of Hebrew and Jewish Studies is a non- accredited pathway.

NB: The second teaching area of Economics is satisfied through completion of units in the subject area of Political Economy

(4)  Requirements for majors, minors and second teaching areas

(a)  Majors and minors are as defined in the Learning and Teaching Policy.

(b)  The requirements for completion of majors and minors, as listed in 6(3) in these resolutions, are as set out in Table S.

(c) Second teaching areas administered by Sydney School of Education and Social Work in compliance with NSW Education Standards Authority to meet appropriate admissions standards for teacher accreditation. Requirements are defined in the schedule of teaching areas. 

7 Progression rules

(1)  Candidates are required to complete the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in the order listed in the handbook and as advised by the Faculty.

(2)  Progression within a major, minor or second teaching area

(a)  Except with the permission of the relevant delegate responsible for major, minor or second teaching area, candidates must pass all 1000-level units of study within a major (except a language major), minor or teaching area, before proceeding to 2000-level units within that major, minor or teaching area, or else undertake those 1000- level units concurrently with the 2000-level units.

(b)  Except with the permission of the relevant delegate responsible for major, minor or
second teaching area, candidates must pass all 2000-level units of study within a major (except a language), minor or second teaching area, before proceeding to 3000- level units, or else undertake those 2000-level units concurrently with the 3000-level units.

(c) Candidates in a language major commence a major at a level commensurate with their previous ability as determined by the Faculty and must complete lower level units before completing the next higher level or else undertake those lower level units concurrently with the next higher level.

(3)  Progression within the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary)

(a)  Except with the permission of the relevant delegate, candidates must complete the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Education listed under clause (3)(a-e), before progressing to 4000-level advanced coursework units, including 4000-level project units.

8 Requirements for honours

(1)   Honours is available for students who meet the applicable admission requirements as an appended Bachelor Honours degree, after completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) or the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) as specified in clause 5. 

9 Award of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary)

(1)  Candidates for the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) will be awarded a separate testamur for each degree completed.

(2)  Candidates for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary); Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) combined degree who have completed requirements for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) who do not meet requirements for the combined degree will be awarded the Bachelor of Education (Secondary).

(3)  The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is awarded at pass level.

10  International exchange

(1) The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences encourages candidates in this course to participate in international exchange programs as set out in the Resolutions of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

11  Course transfer

(1)  A candidate may transfer from the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and elect to complete the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) in accordance with these resolutions and receive full credit for work completed in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary).

(2)  A candidate may abandon the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) combined degree and elect to complete the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in accordance with these resolutions and receive full credit for work completed, up to 192 credit points.

(3)  Readmission to the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) after transferring from the degree will require a new application for admission to candidature for that degree.

(4)  A candidate in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) or in the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) may apply to the Faculty to transfer to the Bachelor of Arts and apply for credit for work completed in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) or in the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary) in accordance with the resolutions governing that degree.

12  Credit for previous study

(1)  Credit transfer is subject to the provisions of the Coursework Policy and the Resolutions of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or, in the case of a major or minor offered by another faculty, any relevant resolutions of that faculty.

(2)  Candidates must seek advice before accepting credit, as external policies by regulatory or accrediting bodies must also be taken into account.

(3)  Candidates cannot receive credit for professional experience.

13  Transitional provisions

(1) These resolutions apply to students who commenced after 1 January 2026. 

(2) Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January 2026 will complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.