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Bachelor of Education Studies

This is your opportunity degree. Your opportunity to become the great teacher you know you can be.

Next intake: 20 July 2026
Learn more

Course essentials

ATAR

Lowest Adjusted ATAR 50.00

Entry requirements

Credit

360 credit points = 3.0 EFTSL

Study mode

On campus

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Start dates

20 July 2026
01 March 2027
19 July 2027

Locations

Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)

Course overview

We've designed this degree to give your teaching career a kick start. If you didn't meet the subject entry requirements or minimum ATAR to begin a teaching degree, then this course is for you.

You can use this three-year degree in three ways: If you did not meet the entry requirements to commence a teaching degree you can commence your studies with the Bachelor of Education Studies. At the completion of first year, if you have maintained a good academic standard throughout the year, you may be eligible to apply for a transfer into the second year of a Federation University teaching degree. This means that you may still qualify as a VIT registered teacher within four years of study.

Alternatively, you may complete the three years of this degree and continue into a Master of Teaching in either Secondary, Primary or Early Childhood teaching and qualify as a VIT registered teacher within five years.

Finally this is a three-year generalist degree that can prepare you for work in Learning and Education and allow you to discover more about the education system. This degree will qualify you to work in many roles including as an Education Officer developing programs for a wide range of industries, or as an Education Support Officer (Integration Aide) working to support students within a school setting. Or you may be interested in working in education policy as a Project Officer. The opportunities for graduates are very broad and you'll be prepared to enter the workforce with a wide range of skills and knowledge.

IT requirements

To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.

Got questions?

Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.

Student support

The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.

The fine print

The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.

Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.

Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.

School department

Education

Course co-ordinator

Berwick (on campus) - Heather Ernst
Gippsland (on campus) - Heather Ernst
Mt Helen (on campus) - Heather Ernst

I was able to be a mum and a student and a teacher - and still love what I was studying. Federation has amazing teachers, absolutely amazing."
— Alison Clark, Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) 

Career paths

Education officer
Education support worker (Integration aide)
Non teaching roles in the Education sector

Professional recognition

Please note, you will not be eligible for VIT registration upon completion of this degree.

If you are wanting to become a registered teacher with VIT, you would need to transfer to one of the other Bachelor of Education courses at FedUni - see the Pathways/alternate entry section.

Fees and scholarships

Tuition fee information

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
2026 indicative full-time fee: $4,738

Commonwealth Supported Places are subsidised by the Australian Government. The tuition fee is called the student contribution amount. The indicative fee above is based on a typical first-year enrolment for this course and should be used as a guide only. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Your fee will depend on the units you chose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive. 

How it's calculated

The government sets the fee each year. The amount depends on the discipline area and band of each unit. 2026 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range from $4,738 (Band 1) to $17,399 (Band 4).  The sample course structure below link to the EFTSL, Band and fee for each unit or you can use our unit search to find these details.

Other fees

You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Fee assistance

If you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan,  you can defer the payment of all or part of your student contribution fee. If you’re also eligible for a SA-HELP loan, you can defer your SSAF payment too. You won’t have to start paying either loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.

Scholarships

There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.

Course details

Start dates

Semester 2, 2026

20 July 2026

Locations

Berwick (on campus)

Gippsland (on campus)

Mt Helen (on campus)

Semester 1, 2027

1 March 2027

Locations

Berwick (on campus)

Gippsland (on campus)

Mt Helen (on campus)

Semester 2, 2027

19 July 2027

Locations

Berwick (on campus)

Gippsland (on campus)

Mt Helen (on campus)

Information

  • Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat. Testing.

Contact hours

You’d be looking at about 25-30 hours per week (if you’re full time), but this includes on-campus classes and self-directed study (i.e. homework).

Work integrated learning

This course provides you with real experience in your chosen profession, through our Co-operative Industry Placement model.

You will undertake 40 placement hours across 1 week in the 1st year of the course, and 60 days (450 hours) of paid placement commencing in your second year of study. The paid placement can be completed full time over one semester or part time over an extended period. Federation University Co-op offers flexibility to suit your existing work, personal and study commitments.

Learn more at https://federation.edu.au/co-op

Sample course structure

Here’s what the course structure could look like. It’s just an example (so don’t use it for enrolment). Interested in the details? You can find current course structure or select a single unit name below to find out what it’s about and how much it costs.

Semester 1
Semester 2

Semester 1
Semester 2

Semester 1
Semester 2

Meet us at Open Day

Open Day is your chance to explore all that Federation has to offer. Meet current lecturers and students, ask course questions, learn about our support services and explore campus spaces.

 

We’ve got heaps of activities, tours and presentations planned. Basically, we want you to get a real feel for Federation. The atmosphere. The opportunities. The community. 

 

Oh – and there’s no need to pack a sandwich. Lunch is on us.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements (year 12)

Current year 12 students and recent secondary graduates (the past 2 years)

Prerequisites (compulsory):

  • Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion in two units (any study combination) of Maths: General Mathematics, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics;
  • Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any English.

ATAR

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Guaranteed ATAR

This course has a guaranteed ATAR.  If you meet the courses pre-requisites and any essential requirements for admission, we will guarantee you a place in this course with this ATAR. We use the adjusted ATAR, factoring in subject adjustments and SEAS as detailed below.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 35 in any Humanities, any History, Literature, Legal Studies or Philosophy equals 3 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points.

SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme)

Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for the Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS). Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, a SEAS application may provide support for your course application.

Entry requirements (non year 12)

All applicants

Entire academic record:

This course uses the applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Some applicants

Literacy and numeracy test:

If VCE maths and English requirements or equivalent have not been met, a literacy and/or numeracy assessment is required to demonstrate the prerequisite requirements. Applicants required to complete the assessment will be notified.

Applicants with higher education study

Prerequisite (compulsory): 

  • Successful completion of the Federation University Foundation Access Studies (FAST) course (or equivalent), or; 
  • Previous university study (including single subjects) with a pass average and meets the VCE maths and English requirement benchmarks or literacy and/or numeracy test, or; 
  • Successful completion of an undergraduate degree in any field.

Applicants with vocational education and training study

Prerequisite (compulsory):

  • Successful completion of a cognate* Certificate III and meets the VCE maths and English requirement benchmarks or literacy and/or numeracy test and industry experience of at least one year, or;
  • Successful completion of a cognate* Certificate IV and meets the VCE maths and English requirement benchmarks or literacy and/or numeracy test, or;
  • Successful completion of a Diploma in any field and meets the VCE maths requirement benchmark or numeracy test.

*Cognate education areas: Community Services, Education Support, Children’s Services, Disability and Nursing, or Sport. 

Applicants with Higher Education Studies

Successful completion of the Federation University Foundation Access Studies (FAST) program (or equivalent);

OR

Previous university study with a majority weighting of pass marks and meets the VCE Maths and English requirement benchmarks

Applicants with work and life experience

Applicants who have not completed secondary education, or undertaken any TAFE or university studies will not be eligible for entry into this course. Applicants in this category should consider a pathway course such as Federation Access Studies (FAST) course.

English language requirements

Overall Academic IELTS band score of 6.0, with no band less than 6.0 or equivalent

Extra requirements

Essential requirements for enrolment and graduation

Working with children check

Compulsory: Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

Police record check

Compulsory: Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274

How you apply will depend on your current situation – school leaver, tertiary background or life experience – and whether you’re also applying for courses at other institutions. Visit our how to apply page to find out more.

Ready to fill out your application? You might need these codes:

VTAC application
Yes
VTAC code
3701810561 - Berwick (on campus)
3700710561 - Gippsland (on campus)
3700510561 - Mt Helen (on campus)
Direct application
Yes
Federation University code
TC5

Pathways to this course:

Candidates seeking alternate entry to this course can consider the below options:


Other TAFE studies

    Apply for a relevant TAFE course, at any TAFE provider, and then apply to articulate into this course.  You may receive credit for TAFE studies undertaken, which will be individually assessed upon request, after you enrol in your bachelor level course.
    A bridging program can provide an excellent foundation to build upon in your bachelor degree studies.

Bridging courses

    Our one semester Foundation Access Studies (FAST) program  provides you an alternate entry into tertiary study, with a focus on building the more generic academic skills required for success at university.  On successful completion of FAST, students can apply for the Bachelor of Education Studies for the next semester.

Credit will be considered if you have successfully completed higher education or TAFE studies relevant to this degree. Advanced standing will be determined on an individual basis, depending on your eligibility for credit transfer, prior experience and qualifications.


Pathways from this course

At the beginning of second year, you can apply to transfer to another undergraduate Education program at Federation University, where you can qualify as a teacher and gain registration with VIT. Please note that you must have successfully completed 8 courses in the 1st year of the Bachelor of Education Studies and have a credit average to be eligible for transfer.
•    Bachelor of Education (Primary)
•    Bachelor of Secondary Education
•    Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)

Hear from our students 

Maddison talks about her experience studying education at Federation

Hi, my name is Maddie and I'm studying a Bachelor of Education. I'm specialising in inclusive Ed and I'm in my third year of studies. I chose to study at Fed Uni because it is close to home and because I had a few friends who were studying here as well. I would recommend federation to those considering studying because of the placement opportunities they have here. This year as part of my diversity placement I was given the opportunity to travel to the NT to a remote indigenous community. This option was available to all students in my degree in the third year and it was made even more accessible as the majority of the accommodation and flights were funded by the Uni Arunga. The community I was placed in was the most beautiful little community with wonderful students and incredible classroom facilities. I'm so glad and proud of myself for taking that leap of faith because now I have so many more skills and experiences under my belt. This opportunity will be something I'll happily share with anyone and we'll think about forever. I really couldn't recommend this programme more.

Credit for previous study

Your previous studies might count towards this course (which means you could finish it sooner). Check your eligibility to find out if that’s the case.

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