Bachelor of Education (Primary)/Bachelor of Arts

This double degree at the University of Notre Dame Australia is for people who want to teach primary school and also want a proper grounding in an arts discipline. You graduate with two qualifications: a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Bachelor of Arts. The education side covers the primary curriculum, English, mathematics, science, humanities and social sciences, the arts, health and physical education, along with child development, classroom management, assessment, and how to work with students who have additional needs. The arts side is where you choose a major, and that major becomes your specialist teaching area. The two halves are timetabled together so you are not doing one degree and then the other.

How the degree is structured

It runs for 5.5 years of full-time study, which is longer than a standard bachelor because you are completing two awards. Like most Australian degrees, it is organised into semesters, and you enrol in units of study that each carry credit points. You need to pass the required number of credit points in both the education and arts components to graduate. The education component includes professional experience placements in schools, these are a core part of the degree, not an add-on, and you will spend a substantial number of weeks in primary classrooms across the course. Notre Dame's teacher education is built around school partnerships, so placements are arranged with partner schools rather than left entirely to you.

What you actually learn

By the end you should be able to plan and teach a primary curriculum, manage a classroom, assess student learning and report on it, and work with parents and colleagues. You will also have depth in your arts major, enough to teach it confidently and to think critically about it. The degree prepares you for teacher registration in Australia, which is handled state by state; graduates apply to the relevant teacher regulatory authority in the state or territory where they want to work. Because this is a teaching qualification, the English requirement is higher than the general undergraduate standard: IELTS Academic 7.0–7.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or one of the university's own English programmes. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, which is separate from the university's admission requirement.

Who it suits

It suits school leavers and career changers who know they want to teach primary-aged children and who do not want to give up studying a subject they enjoy. If you are torn between an arts degree and teaching, this lets you do both without adding a separate postgraduate teaching qualification later. International students should note that while you hold a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, subject to the conditions at the time. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 045114G. Check the official course page for current entry requirements, majors, placement details and fees.

• Primary school teacher in government, Catholic and independent schools across Australia
• Arts subject specialist in a primary setting, teaching your major area
• Relief or casual teacher while you look for a permanent position
• Education support or literacy/numeracy intervention roles in schools
• Curriculum or resource developer for education publishers and online learning providers
• Community education officer in museums, galleries, libraries and local councils
• Early career policy or program officer in education departments and not-for-profits
• Further study options include a Master of Education, Master of Inclusive Education or a research degree, depending on your goals