Why study with us?
Ranked 25th in the world for education by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
Study in acclaimed research institutes including the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and the Charles Perkins Centre.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
Some units of study and/or placements relating to this course cannot be delivered remotely or online for students commencing their study in Semester 1, 2021. You will be required to attend in-person on campus from Semester 1, 2023.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
About this course
This five-year combined degree gives you a professional qualification to teach science in secondary schools.
You will acquire a strong practical and theoretical preparation for teaching. The course covers professional teaching, special education, international education, and information and communications technology.
The course requires you to complete a major in a science teaching area. Science teaching areas available include biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, geography, and physics. You also need to complete at least two years of a second science teaching area, which can include mathematics. All students need to take one year of mathematics as part of this course.
School observation and work-based training are integral components of the professional experience in this degree. This professional experience is offered in partnership with participating schools and will provide you with the opportunity to develop your teaching skills and professional understanding.
In fifth year you can choose from various education units, including Teaching International English, Meeting the Needs of Cultural Diversity, and Responding to Diverse Needs in Schools.
Please note: From 2022, the University will be offering two new degrees specialising in secondary education, Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Secondary). Course information on these new offerings will be made available in due course.
All students need to complete at least one major for the requirements of the combined degree. This major must be in an area offered by the Faculty of Science and relate directly to the student's first science teaching area. Students may obtain a second major and this must relate to their second science teaching area or mathematics. A student may not count a unit of study toward more than one major.
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
Prospective domestic students apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for a Commonwealth supported place . Refer to the UAC website for key dates. Separate scholarship deadlines apply, visit the scholarships website for details.
For other useful information, visit our How to apply page.
Current University of Sydney students applying to transfer from one bachelor's degree to another apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the Change your course page.
Current students applying to transfer from a diploma to a bachelor's degree must apply through UAC.
Refer to the UAC website. Separate scholarship deadlines apply visit the scholarships webpage for details.
Semester 1 (March)
Visit the How to apply page for detailed information on if you need to apply directly to the University or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). If you are a direct applicant, when you are ready to apply select the `Apply’ button on this course page.
Current University of Sydney students applying to transfer from one bachelor's degree to another apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the Change your course page.
Closing dates
Direct applicants:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - visit the scholarships webpage for details.
UAC Applicants: Refer to the UAC website
Semester 1 (March)
Mandatory work component = 560 hours.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
Under normal progression, a full-time student completes prescribed units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester. Part-time students may undertake prescribed units of study up to the value of 12 credit points per semester. You are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for your units of study.
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education: Science) and Bachelor of Science
| Year | Sem | Unit of study | |||
| 1 | 1 | Education One | Teaching Area Science | Teaching Area 2 | Mathematics |
| 2 | Education One | Teaching Area Science | Teaching Area 2 | Mathematics | |
| 2 | 1 | Education Two | Curriculum and Professional | Teaching Area Science | Teaching Area 2 |
| 2 | Education Two | Curriculum and Professional | Teaching Area Science | Teaching Area 2 | |
| 3 | 1 | Curriculum and Professional | Teaching Area Science | Teaching Area Science | Curriculum and Professional |
| 2 | Curriculum and Professional | Curriculum and Professional | Curriculum and Professional | Curriculum and Professional (Practical Experience) | |
| 4 | 1 | Curriculum and Professional | Curriculum and Professional | Curriculum and Professional | Curriculum and Professional (Practical Experience) |
| 2 | Curriculum and Professional | Curriculum and Professional | Teaching Area Science | Teaching Area Science | |
| 5 | 1 | Teaching Area 2/ Elective | Teaching Area 2/ Elective | Open Learning Environment units | Open Learning Environment units |
| 2 | Education Three/ Honours | Internship | Education Elective | Education Elective | |
Any two units of English (not English as a Second Language) with a minimum Band 5, and Band 5 in two other HSC subjects. For Bachelor of Science: Mathematics or HSC Mathematics Extension 1. Other assumed knowledge depends on the areas or units studied.
Honours is available to meritorious students, in either Education or Bachelor of Science. Honours in Education requires the completion of an alternative 12 credit-point honours pathway described in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Science) table of units. Completion of the degree is required in the minimum standard full-time duration.
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.
This course has a mathematics course prerequisite. For details on the prerequisite, and how it applies to you, visit: Mathematics course prerequisites.
Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE)
The requirement to complete the LANTITE applies to all students enrolled in the BEd (Primary); BEd (Health and PE); BEd (Secondary:Humanities and Social Sciences)/BA; BEd (Secondary: Maths)/BSc; BEd (Secondary: Science)/BSc; and all Master of Teaching programs except MTeach (Early Childhood).
Information about LANTITE for students commencing their studies in 2017 and beyond will be required to have successfully completed testing as follows: All BEd students commencing their studies in 2017 and beyond will be expected to sit and pass the test within the first two years of candidature.
For information about teacher-accreditation requirements in NSW, including the testing, visit the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Inherent requirements for programs in secondary education
To assist students to make informed choices about their study, the Sydney School of Education and Social Work has identified inherent requirements for coursework-award courses in Secondary Education. In order to successfully complete such a course, students must possess these qualities and skills (PDF).
If you’ve already completed university-level or equivalent subjects, you may be able to apply for credit for previous study.
The Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education: Science) and Bachelor of Science combined course includes significant professional experience placements in schools. The placements begin in the third year of the course and the amount of responsibility and duration of the placements progressively increases until the final placement, in which students are competent to teach under minimal supervision.
Our undergraduate Education courses are accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Our graduates can be found in a broad range of careers and roles, including:
