Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Swinburne Online - online delivery only
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Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Online (March, July, November) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Online

Study with Swinburne Online
With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Course structure
- 28 units of core education and early childhood studies (350 credit points)
- 4 units of other studies comprising of a minor or elective units (50 credit points)
Swinburne Online offers a flexible degree structure allowing students to adjust their study commitment throughout the duration of their program. Students have the flexibility to study between one and four units per teaching period.
Below are examples of study loads for Swinburne Online students:
- Accelerated study: 12 units of study per academic year
- Full-time study: eight units of study per academic year
- Part-time study: four units of study per academic year
- Recommended study: six units of study per academic year
In addition, students are responsible for arranging and successfully completing the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) normally within three attempts through the Australian Council for Education Research prior to completing 200 credit points of study.
1. A student is classified as 'at risk' of unsatisfactory progress if they:
(a) behave in a manner which breaches the Swinburne Student Charter whilst on a teaching placement
(b) fail to attempt both component tests of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to completing 100 credit points of studies
2. A student is classified as having 'unsatisfactory progress' if they:
(a) fail to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to completing 200 credit points of studies or following three attempts
(b) fail a Teaching Placement unit
(c) have their teaching placement terminated early by a school. In the case of early termination of a teaching placement by a school, the student will be deemed as having 'unsatisfactory progress' and a progress review processes will commence within two weeks of the cessation of the placement
Placements are a key part of your education course and are a requirement for teacher registration. Swinburne Online will provide guidance and support through the Professional Placements Office to enable students to arrange their own placements.
Professional experience requires student teachers to hold a current Child Safety Screening checks, as required by their State/Territory, before commencing a professional placement. Find out more about placements.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Education (Primary) is 150 credit points (normally 12 units)
Units of study
Prior to completing 200 credit points of study, students must pass national literacy and numeracy tests. Find out more about the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students, including associated costs.
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- apply their broad and coherent knowledge of students aged birth to 12 years and how they learn to show initiative and judgement when making decisions or solving problems
- use their broad and coherent knowledge of Primary School content areas within the Australian context to critically review theory and practice
- show initiative and judgement to plan for, and implement, effective teaching and learning in diverse contexts with the capacity to solve problems with intellectual independence
- adapt knowledge and skills to critically analyse information in diverse contexts, and to create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
- assess, provide feedback and report on student learning using clear and coherent communication with the ability to critically analyse, consolidate and synthesise assessment information
- take responsibility and accountability for own learning to identify, engage in and apply professional learning, individually and in collaboration with others
- engage professionally with colleagues, families and children, and the communication skills to present clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas.

Graduate skills
Professional recognition
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
2023 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
---|---|---|---|
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$16,496 | $4,124 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
One of:
- Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
- Completion of an approved Diploma or Advanced Diploma
- Completion or partial completion of an approved Associate Degree or Bachelor Degree
VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Other Requirements
LANTITE: Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students
Applicants applying to transfer from another initial teacher education course must disclose all LANTITE (National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students) attempts.
Applicants who have unsuccessfully attempted the LANTITE three or more times will not be eligible to receive an offer.
Casper test
All applicants (both standard entry and non-year 12 entry) must sit the Casper test. Casper is a non-academic online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes. Please note Swinburne will consider Casper test results taken within the past year. It is an Australian Government accreditation requirement that all initial teacher education courses include non-academic selection criteria. To ensure you don’t miss the Casper test deadlines, register for your sitting or for further information about the test.
Current Year 12 students can check VTAC deadlines on their website.
Admission to this course will consider both academic and non-academic results.
Working with Children Check
Note
How to apply
View the Informed Choices statement, which provides information about essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements in nursing and progress to a career in this field. This information is intended to assist you to choose whether you can successfully participate in and complete a course.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.
Find out more
Tel: 1300 069 765
Email: enquiries@swinburneonline.com