Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Online: January, March, July, August, October
- Townsville: February, July
- Cairns: February, July
Fees
$5,025.00+
+estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Duration
4 years full-time
or part-time equivalent
5 years and 4 months online
Entry Requirements
ATAR 73.3
English (Units 3/4,C), General Maths or Mathematical Methods or Specialist Maths (Units 3/4,C) and a General Science subject
QTAC Codes
- 313099, 313219
- 313211
- 323211
Course detail
Focus on the curriculum for children from Prep to Year Six and experience relevant workplace learning in primary school settings. Gain professional experience from your first year in state, Catholic, and independent schools.
Participate in placements in a range of school settings, including rural and remote areas to expand your employment options. Learn to critically evaluate and apply contemporary research to provide inclusive learning environments for diverse student needs.
Experience international placements in Service Learning to broaden your professional experience.
Additional information
About JCU's Bachelor of Education - Primary
Are you ready to shape Australia’s future, and your own, by working with eager young minds in primary schools? Primary education courses at JCU can help you achieve your dreams, equipping you to work anywhere from urban city centres to remote and rural locations.
Comprehensive Education
You want to keep your options open, and a primary education degree from JCU will prepare you for anything. By the time you graduate, you will be qualified to teach in state schools, Catholic schools or the private sector from prep to year six.
You will gain much more than just theoretical knowledge in your primary school teacher training at JCU. Experience has no substitute, and you can be sure of extensive real-world experience with your primary school teaching degree.
With your Bachelor of Education Primary experience, you will work in professional, hands-on contexts in a range of schools and learning environments. Lecturers committed to student success will be constantly on hand to guide you as you learn to critically evaluate and apply the latest research.
A Primary School Teaching Degree with Personalised Education
You have specialties you love, and at JCU your Bachelor of Education, Queensland program offers you the chance to choose from five specialisations to suit your strengths and passions.
You will guide students to a higher appreciation of language and literature with an English or literacy specialisation. With a specialisation in mathematics, you will be there to see the moment when students finally comprehend that complex principle.
You can indulge your own love for STEM by specialise in science or technology. Imagine sparking that same kind of passion in your students! Choose the health and physical education specialisation to leverage your interest in health and fitness and pass your interests on to another generation.
Primary Teaching Courses That Lead To Employment Opportunity
As a graduate of a Bachelor of Teaching Primary, you will be ready to teach any of a number of subject areas. You will be perfectly positioned to work as a primary teacher anywhere in Australia or even overseas.
Your primary education courses at JCU will particularly equip you to work with Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal students. Many options will be open to you, and your degree will make you highly valuable.
With the experience you gain in International Service Learning placements through JCU’s program, you will have valuable cross-cultural experience, too. Your skills will be in demand at home and abroad.
A Primary School Teaching Degree with World-Class Education
You will be poised to succeed at JCU with our passion for student success. Professionals will help you develop a healthy study routine and become confident in your abilities. You can take advantage of our popular Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS). These sessions enable students from the same primary education course to revise difficult material, consider different perspectives and discuss ideas together to gain a deeper understanding.
You will also have any help you need in learning to set schedules, take notes, revise for exams and prepare research. With helpful feedback on your academic writing and constant access to a learning advisor, you will develop all the strategies you need to succeed.
By the time you finish your studies and graduate with your primary education degree, you will feel confident in your own judgement. With a developed sense of professional responsibility and experience in taking initiative, you will be ready to pass on your world-class education to your own students and set them up for a lifetime of success.
Successful Together
Your success is important to you, but it is also important to us and to your future students. When you leave with your education degree, you will know how to integrate your technical and curriculum knowledge into effective educational content.
You will know how to bring theory and practice together in the real world. Your students will thrive as you build a positive, engaging and respectful learning environment where they can develop and grow. You will lead the way in the schools you work in, with the skills to manage and incorporate regulations, policies, equality and sustainability.
The Future Is Yours When You Start Your Primary School Teacher Training
Start your Bachelor of Education Primary at JCU and take the first step on a journey of lifelong learning. With the skills to teach anywhere and the confidence to use what you know, you will be positioned for a truly fulfilling career.
Hide additional information
Study online
The Bachelor of Education (Primary) external (online) course is built for students with busy lives. You will study one subject at a time, up to six times a year. Each subject goes for seven weeks, allowing you to focus on a single area of study each time. It also spreads your study load across the year, and you still get 10 weeks of breaks. By completing six subjects per year, you can complete a Bachelor of Education (Primary) in 5.5 years.
Majors
As part of the Bachelor of Education (Primary), you can choose one of five specialisations. Consult the handbook for specialisations available at each campus.
Choose from one of five specialisations:
- English/literacy
- Mathematics/numeracy
- Science
- Technologies
- Health and Physical Education
JCU Education (Primary) graduates are equipped to meet the diverse needs of primary school children from Prep to Year Six.
Graduates pursue careers in state, Catholic, and independent schools across Australia as well as overseas, particularly the United Kingdom.
You will be well positioned to find employment as a primary school teacher in rural and regional Australia. Graduates will be particularly qualified to meet the education and care needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Entry score threshold
These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2021. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in June each year. Meeting the threshold doesn't guarantee admission.
ATAR/Selection Rank: 73.30
Entry score range
This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) for Semester 1, 2021. The table includes offers deferred to Semester 1, 2021 which may have been assessed using the entry score threshold of an earlier year.
JCU Townsville
Without adjustments | With adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | 94.60 | 96.60 |
Median | 79.20 | 81.80 |
Lowest | 71.55 | 73.55 |
JCU Cairns
Without adjustments | With adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | 94.25 | 99.95 |
Median | 81.80 | 83.80 |
Lowest | 76.40 | 78.40 |
External
Without adjustments | With adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | <5 | <5 |
Median | <5 | <5 |
Lowest | <5 | <5 |
RATEP
Without adjustments | With Adjustments* | |
|---|---|---|
Highest | 85.36 | 89.35 |
Median | 74.10 | 77.10 |
Lowest | 66.00 | 73.00 |
Notes:
<5 – indicates less than 5 OP/ATAR-based offers made.
* Refer to Adjustment Factors
Find out more about who you might study with by viewing this course’s student profile.
Adjustment factors
James Cook University applies bonus ranks under the Regional Preference Scheme and QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS). Learn more about JCU’s adjustment factors.
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Handbook year | 2022 |
Course code | 109310 |
Course type | Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) |
Professional accreditation status | This course is nationally accredited through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) in association with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). Graduates of this course are eligible for Teacher registration in Australia. |
Owner | Division of Tropical Environments and Societies |
| College | Arts, Society and Education |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | English (Units 3/4,C), General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3/4,C), and a General Science subject (Units 3/4,C); or equivalent. Applicants who have not previously achieved a grade of C in a science subject (or equivalent) can meet this requirement by taking ED0195:03 Bridging Science for Teachers at JCU prior to commencing study. |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of an overall score of 6.5 in Academic IELTS (or equivalent) with sub-scores no less than 7.0 in Speaking and Listening and no less than 6.0 in Reading and Writing. The cost of the testing will be met by the applicant. English test results must be no more than two years old at the commencement of the course. Further information is available on the Queensland College of Teachers website. |
Additional selection requirements | All applicants for initial teacher education courses must satisfy both academic and non-academic entry criteria. Applicants’ non-academic capabilities will be assessed by way of an instrument applied by QTAC and developed in consultation with the Australian Council of Deans of Education. Students must meet English language proficiency requirements for teacher registration in Australia, either on entry to or on graduation from the program. |
Special admission requirements | Applicants wishing to enter the Remote Area Teacher Education Program (RATEP) must nominate with QTAC as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Proof of identity documentation is required. Applicants must be located near RATEP sites in Queensland. RATEP students must select the English/Literacy specialisation. |
Post admission | Professional Practice: This course includes prescribed professional placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. Suitability to Work with Children Card (Blue Card): This course includes prescribed professional placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland Police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course. For more information, refer to: Blue Card Services English Proficiency: Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds are advised that the Queensland College of Teachers requires graduating teachers to provide evidence of meeting the following English language requirements prior to graduation:
The cost of the testing will be met by the applicant. Students are advised that the Queensland College of Teachers requires graduating teachers to provide evidence of meeting the English language requirements as stated above prior to graduation. Further information is available on the Queensland College of Teachers website. |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 96 credit points as per course structure |
Additional completion requirements | Successful completion of Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) is an expected requirement of the Australian Ministers for Education for all graduates. Therefore all students enrolled in an initial teacher education course (either undergraduate or postgraduate) will be expected to sit and meet the test standard prior to graduation. All students must sit and meet the standard of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to graduation. The cost of the testing will be met by the applicant. Refer to https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/ All students must successfully complete a final-year teaching performance assessment (Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment [GTPA]) embedded in a subject and a professional placement of no less than four weeks in the final year of the degree, prior to graduation that is shown to: a) be a reflection of classroom teaching practice including the elements of planning, teaching, assessing and reflecting; b) clearly assess the content of the Graduate Teacher Standards; and c) demonstrate an understanding of moderation processes that support consistent decision-making against achievement criteria. The GTPA is built into course requirements and assessments. All students must possess dispositional attributes deemed suitable for the profession of teaching. For all students undertaking the Bachelor of Education (Primary) (including those undertaking the program online), mandatory participation in a 5-day intensive Professional Orientation Program on campus in the final year of the course is a requirement to complete this degree. This program may be undertaken at either the Cairns or Townsville Campus. |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the Bachelor of Education (Primary), graduates will be able to:
|
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
Level 1
ED1401:03 Education Perspectives and Practice
ED1411:03 Science and Sustainability in Education
ED1421:03 Foundations of Language and Literacy in Education
ED1441:03 Technologies for Primary School
ED1442:03 Arts Education for Primary School
ED1481:03 Educational Psychology: Learners and Learning
ED1492:03 Teaching Mathematics and Numeracy in Primary and Early Childhood Settings
Level 2
ED2190:03 Health and Physical Education for Primary School
ED2193:03 Mathematics Education for Primary School
ED2194:03 English Education for Primary School
ED2195:03 Science Education for Primary School
ED2196:03 Humanities and Social Sciences for Primary School
ED2491:03 Planning for Engaging Learning
ED2991:03 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Level 3
ED3197:06 Improving Student Learning and Professional Practice: Using data and evidence (Primary)
ED3441:03 Technologies Across the Curriculum
ED3442:03 Inclusive Education: Differentiated Learning for Students with Special Needs and Abilities
ED3443:03 English as an Additional Language/Dialect for Indigenous Learners
ED3095:03 Advanced English Education Primary
ED3497:03 Advanced Mathematics Education
Level 4
ED4460:03 Service Learning for Sustainable Futures or ED4493:03 Advanced Studies in Physical Education, Health and Wellbeing (Students in the HPE specialisation must take ED4493 as an alternative to ED4460. This alternative core subject is only available for students completing the HPE specialisation)
ED4461:03 Indigenous Futures
ED4486:03 Fourth Year Professional Experience A
ED4490:06 Fourth Year Professional Experience B
ED4621:03 Leading Wellbeing and Sustainability in Learning Communities
ED4623:03 Teachers as Ethical and Collaborative Change Agents
ED4995:03 Education Across Culturally Diverse Contexts
OPTIONS
Select one of the following specialisations:
English/Literacy (RATEP students must select this specialisation)
CU1010:03 Effective Writing
EL2047:03 Children's Literature
ED4306:03 Students with Reading Difficulties
Mathematics/Numeracy
MA1020:03 Preparatory Mathematics or CP1401:03 Problem Solving and Programming I (students who have completed Maths B or equivalent with a High Achievement or better must select CP1401)
MA1580:03 Foundations of Data Science
ED3098:03 Specialist Primary Mathematics Curriculum
Science
EA1110:03 Evolution of the Earth
CH1020:03 Preparatory Chemistry or BS1001:03 Introduction to Biological Processes (students who have completed high school Chemistry or equivalent with a High Achievement or better must select BS1001)
ED3196:03 Science in Context for Primary Science Specialists
Technologies
CP1401:03 Problem Solving and Programming I
CP1403:03 Design Thinking
CP1402:03 Internet Fundamentals
Health and Physical Education
HM1061:03 Foundations of Movement and Physical Activity
HM2063:03 Education for Health and Wellbeing
HM3061:03 Advanced Teaching in Physical Education, Health and Wellbeing 1
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Cairns | Health and Physical Education specialisation is not available in Cairns |
Distance Ed (Townsville) | Available to RATEP students only (Mixed Attendance – administered through Townsville) |
JCU Townsville | |
JCU Online | This course is delivered online with the exception of professional experience placement in Australian Educational Institutions as required for professional accreditation. Students will not be able to complete the Technologies, Science or Health and Physical Education Specialisations until 2023 due to subject availability Not available to International Students. Only available for students wishing to study part-time in up to 6 carousel study periods per year. Credit is available for first year subjects only. |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time *JCU Online students studying will complete in 5.3 years. |
Maximum time to complete | 11 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 3 years |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Students studying in carousel delivery mode, must successfully complete years 1, 2 and 3 sequentially before attempting any fourth year subjects. To ensure satisfactory progression, a minimum of three subjects must be taken in any 12-month period. Students must successfully complete LANTITE prior to their placement and GTPA assessment in their final year of study. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | This course includes prescribed professional placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. To undertake the final Professional Experience and Co-requisite subjects, students must have completed 72 credit points of level 1, 2 and 3 subjects in this course. |
Special assessment requirements | Suitability to Work with Children Care (Blue Card): This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course. For more information, refer to: Education Blue Card Students who do not complete the required number of days of a professional experience subject or a professional component of a subject, without the approval of the Director of Professional Experience, will be determined to have failed the subject. |
Professional accreditation requirements | Successful completion of all subjects contributes to the requirements for the Queensland College of Teachers Graduate level of the Australian Professional Standards (APST). Please also see `Additional Completion requirements’ in reference to the GTPA. |
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure. |
Maximum allowed | 63 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 21 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course. |
Other restrictions | Students may seek approval to do concurrent studies at another university in approved disciplines not offered at this university. Students normally will be granted a maximum of 15 credit points of credit for these studies. The maximum credit allowable for professional development courses within the degree is three credit points except where one course is judged to be larger in size than one Division subject. Credit may be granted for professional development courses smaller than a Division subject. However, no credit will be given for courses smaller than two credit points, or equivalent. Recognition of Current Competence (RCC) may apply where a teacher education student can clearly demonstrate outcomes relevant to a specific professional experience component of a Bachelor of Education program. If these outcomes can be demonstrated, the pre-service teacher will be granted credit for a part of the requisite days of the professional experience requirement. Demonstration of attainment of outcomes may be in the form of professional experience reports from other institutions and/or statements of teaching or related service. |
Award Details
Award title | BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (PRIMARY) |
Approved abbreviation | BEd(Primary) |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not Applicable – this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Students who exit the course prior to completion and have successfully completed 12 credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education. Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed 72 credit points of study and appropriate subjects, may be eligible to receive the award of Bachelor of Educational Services. |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD5,025.00
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
An ATAR is the score required for entry into most undergraduate courses. If you are not a Year 12 school leaver or do not have an ATAR, you can be assigned an equivalent score. Scores are calculated from previous study that you might have completed, either secondary, tertiary or vocational, or previous paid employment experience.
JCU offers pathway courses to help you move into a degree. Pathway courses provide you with an individualised study plan and specialised support as you transition to university.
Contact us to find out more.
TAFE Diploma of Education (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) pathway. Students with a Diploma of Education (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) can apply directly for entry into the Bachelor of Education (Primary). You can also gain the equivalent of one year’s credit towards the degree.
Students are encouraged to undertake the Tertiary Access Course if they have not studied recently and/or want assistance making the transition to University studies.
Get prepared – bridging subjects
Bridging subjects are designed to fill any gaps in your knowledge. We offer a Preparatory Maths and a Bridging Science for Teachers subject that can be studied online and on-campus in Cairns and Townsville. You may need to enrol in a bridging subject if you have not achieved the grade of ‘Sound Achievement or better’ in Queensland Year 12 maths or an authority Science subject.
Visit Pathways to University for subject details or email the JCU Enrolments team for further information.
Note the course QTAC code for the location you've chosen. You'll need to enter it as part of your QTAC application.
RATEP: Eligible students who live in locations where there is a RATEP study centre can apply through QTAC, using code 313099.
All applicants for initial teacher education courses (pre-service teachers) must satisfy both academic and non-academic entry criteria.
English language requirements
Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the following English language proficiency requirements:
- An overall score of 6.5 in Academic IELTS (or equivalent) with no sub-score less than 7.0 for Speaking and Listening and no sub-score less than 6.0 for Reading and Writing.
If you do not meet the English language requirements you can apply to study a University-approved English language program.
ATAR score is indicative only. Entry scores will be finalised in the major offer round.
Real stories
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Student
Shae-Kia Carroll
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
At the end of my degree, I hope to teach in a rural community to provide unique learning experiences for my students. I feel prepared heading into the workforce, as I have been lucky enough to undertake professional experience in many different communities.
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Student
Steven Cromb
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
The lecturers are more than happy to take their time out and explain things if you need help. All of the professors have been dedicated to doing the job and getting everyone through and making sure everyone understands the content.
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Alumni
Tamara Acheson
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
I chose JCU because I heard that it had a really good reputation. The lecturers at JCU are always willing help you. This course prepared me for the workforce with so many opportunities to undertake professional placements in a variety of schools. If you love teaching children then education is the course for you.
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Lecturer
Dr. Leanne Cameron
Senior Lecturer, Education
With the new online course, we can use technology to share knowledge with students who might find face-to-face education doesn’t fit into their lives. I did much of my ow university education via distance education and I wish we had the tools to make it as engaging and exciting as we can now through this course.
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Employer
Jan Cooper
Principal, Annandale State School, Townsville QASSP President
Principals greatly value the close liaison between JCU Education and schools. This liaison ensures that pre-service teachers receive authentic and effective professional experience placements in schools. JCU Education graduates are well-prepared academically and practically for their demanding careers as educators.