Bachelor of Secondary Education
Prepare for a rewarding career as a secondary school teacher with the flexibility to teach from Year 7 through to VCE.
Course essentials
ATAR
Guaranteed ATAR 70.00
Lowest Adjusted ATAR - Less than 5 offers
Entry requirements
Credit
Study mode
Online
Duration
Start dates
19 July 2027
Locations
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Online
Course overview
We'll help you become an engaging motivating and innovative secondary school teacher. With smaller class sizes our education lecturers get to know our students providing one-on-one assistance with assignments and course work that's why we're Victoria's #1 university for student support*.Our Bachelor of Secondary Education will see you gain a deep knowledge of two specialist teaching areas combined with valuable classroom experience. You will graduate with the confidence to connect with young people and teach from year 7 through to VCE. You will study a double major, selecting any two of the following stream specialisations:
- Art
- Business
- English
- History
- Humanities
- Information Technology
- Maths
- Outdoor Education
- Physical Education
- Psychology
- Science
- Senior Science (Biology)
- Senior Science (Chemistry)
You'll be ready to teach by undertaking a minimum of 80 days of supervised teaching placement with our partner schools throughout the course. Teachers are in high demand and you can teach across Australia in remote communities thriving regional centres or in our capital cities.You are required to sit the CASPer test as part of your application. We recommend booking your CASPer test in advance so your application is not delayed. View CASPer test date/times.We provide a number of pathways and options to ensure you can follow your dream of becoming a great teacher. Visit our Become a Teacher website and use our interactive study tool to find your path to a rewarding career in education.*The Good Universities Guide 2021.
Please note: If students are planning to study Physical Education Curriculum, Science and/or Senior Science Curriculum, or Outdoor Education Curriculum, they will have the opportunity to attend in-person intensive days or field trips as part of their course
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
Takavada Zivave
Career paths
Professional recognition
VIT (Victorian Institute of Teaching)
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
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 1, 2027
1 March 2027
Locations
Berwick (on campus)
Gippsland (on campus)
Mt Helen (on campus)
Semester 2, 2027
19 July 2027
Locations
Online
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat. Testing.
- Online learning is only an option if you’re not studying on an international student visa. 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
80 days (640 hours) of professional experience (practicum/work integrated learning) is required over the four years of this course.
Placements are held throughout the four years.
Students in their final year are able to apply for Permission to Teach from VIT, which will enable them to teach in a school and receive payment for it.
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.
- Literacy and Numeracy15 credit pointsEDBED1011
- Learning and Teaching15 credit pointsEDCEL1016
Elective
- Child and Adolescent Development and Characteristics15 credit pointsEDBED1017
Elective
LANITITE Hurdle
- Design for Learning15 credit pointsEDBED2103
- Relationships, Sexuality & Communication15 credit pointsEDHPE2001
Elective
- Responding to Challenge: Trauma Informed Practice15 credit pointsEDBED3119
- Transition to the Profession 115 credit pointsEDCEL2114
Elective
- Curriculum Assessment and Reporting15 credit pointsEDBED3027
Curriculum Studies
Elective
- Professional Experience A15 credit pointsEDCEL3721
Curriculum Studies
Elective
- Environmental Sustainability Education15 credit pointsEDBED3118
- Transition to the Profession 215 credit pointsEDBED4113
- Professional Experience 415 credit pointsEDCEL4711
Elective
- Differentiating for Learning and Teaching15 credit pointsEDBED4010
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: Learning and Teaching15 credit pointsEDBED3016
- Professional Portfolio15 credit pointsEDBED4120
- Transition to the Profession 315 credit pointsEDCEL4114
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)
Admissions Criteria for current Year 12 students and recent secondary graduates (the past 2 years)
Prerequisites
•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 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
•Casper Test
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Minimum ATAR including selection adjustments: The minimum selection rank for this course, is equivalent to an ATAR of 70.00. If applicable, this includes adjustment factors related to subject adjustments and SEAS.
Guaranteed ATAR: If you receive an ATAR of 70.00 or higher and complete all the requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.
Selection rank adjustments
Subject Adjustments
A study score of 35 in any Humaniites, any History, Literature, Legal Studies or Philosphy 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 Scheme (SEAS). Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, a SEAS application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Federation University Australia SEAS information and the Federation University Australia website
Entry requirements (non year 12)
Admissions Criteria for applicants with a higher education study
•Satisfactory completion of at least one year of tertiary study in a relevant field; and
•Meets the VCE Maths and English requirement benchmarks.
•Casper Test
Admissions Criteria for applicants with a vocational education and training study
Successful completion of a TAFE qualification at Certificate IV in a cognate or appropriate area, such as Community Services, Education Support, Children's Services, or Nursing and Meets the VCE Maths and English requirement benchmarks OR Successful completion of a recognised TAFE Diploma program in a cognate or an appropriate area and Meets the VCE Maths and English requirement benchmarks
Applicants with a Cert IV require at least one year of experience in a relevant area of education or support service.
•Casper Test
Admissions Criteria for 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 program such as Foundation Access Studies (FAST) Program.
Literacy and numeracy test: If VCE Maths and/or English requirements or equivalent have not been met, a Literacy and/or Numeracy assessment is required to demonstrate the pre-requisite requirements. Applicants required to complete the assessment will be notified.
Essential requirements for selection and application
Casper Test (Altus Suite)
All applicants are required to complete Altus Suite as part of their application. Altus Suite is a requirement for many of the initial teacher training courses in Victoria. It is a non-cognitive online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes. To register for your sitting or for further information about the assessment, visit https://takealtus.com
Altus Suite:
•Casper: 60-90 minute online, open-response situational judgment test (SJT)
Applicants can also have their non-academic capabilities assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire with the link to complete Incept Labs | University Teaching Application Assessment
Don’t miss the deadlines for each offer round; https://takealtus.com/dates-times/.
OR
Applicants can also have their non-academic capabilities assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire with the link to complete https://sai.incept.education/jfe/form/SV_beASVDpvkXHhx30#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=708fc718-1857-49ad-ba94-3da506080300
Essential requirements for enrolment or graduation
Literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE)
All students must satisfy National program standard requirements and attempt the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) test or provide evidence of First Nations language proficiency in the first year of enrolment.
To graduate from this course and be eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), the LANTITE test standard in both literacy and numeracy must be achieved. Students who have provided evidence of First Nations language proficiency are not required to undertake the LANTITE test.
Working with children check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC). Check prior to undertaking professional placements.
English language requirements
IELTS score: Speaking 7.5, Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, and Writing 6.5.
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
- 3701811441 - Berwick (on campus)
3700711441 - Gippsland (on campus)
3700511441 - Mt Helen (on campus)
3700811441 - Online - Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- TN5
Students may undertake the first year of the Bachelor of Education Studies and apply to transfer into the second year of this course. Students must have successfully completed 8 units in the 1st year of the Bachelor of Education Studies and have a credit average to be eligible for transfer.
Pathways from this course:
Master of Education Studies
Hear from our students
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.