Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Secondary)

The Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Secondary) at Western Sydney University is a three-year degree for people who want to teach in high schools. You study a Bachelor of Arts first, then move into a teaching qualification. The degree sits at AQF level 7, the same level as any Australian bachelor degree. It runs over three years of full-time study, usually across two semesters a year, with a mid-year intake at some institutions. You complete units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass a set total to graduate.

What you actually study

Your Arts major is the core of the degree. You choose a teaching area, English, History, Mathematics, Science, Languages, Society and Culture, or another secondary subject, and build depth in it through first, second and third-year units. Alongside the major, you take education studies units that introduce how adolescents learn, how classrooms work in Australian schools, and how the school curriculum is structured. You also complete a minor or a second teaching area, because secondary teachers in NSW usually teach two subjects. Assessment is a mix of essays, exams, lesson planning tasks, presentations and practical work.

Structure and work-integrated learning

Australian bachelor degrees are built from units of study with credit points attached. This one follows that pattern. You will spend most of your time in Arts units, with education units threaded through. Professional experience placements in schools are part of the pathway, you go into real classrooms, observe teachers, and then teach under supervision. Placements are arranged by the university and are a required part of the degree, not an optional extra. At the end of the three years, you have an Arts degree and a pathway into a Master of Teaching (Secondary) or a similar initial teacher education qualification. That postgraduate step is where you gain your teaching qualification and eligibility to register with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Check the official page for the exact pathway and credit arrangements, because they can change.

Who it suits, and what you gain

This degree suits school leavers and career changers who know their subject, they love History, or they are good at Maths, and want to teach it. You finish with strong subject knowledge, an understanding of how Australian secondary schools operate, and classroom experience from placements. You also build the writing, research and communication skills that come with an Arts degree. International students should note the English requirement: teaching courses sit at the higher end, usually IELTS 7.0–7.5 overall, so plan for that. While studying, a Student visa allows 48 hours of work per fortnight during term. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances and the rules at the time. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 061013A. Confirm all details on the official page.

• Secondary school teacher (after completing the postgraduate teaching qualification and gaining NESA registration)
• Education support officer or teacher's aide in NSW public, Catholic and independent schools
• Curriculum or resource developer for education publishers and online learning providers
• Youth worker or community education officer in local government and not-for-profits
• Training coordinator or learning and development officer in TAFE, private RTOs and corporate settings
• Arts administrator, museum education officer or cultural program coordinator
• Policy or program officer in education-related government departments and NGOs