Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership

VU course code: EBCL | CRICOS: 105139H | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Not required

Duration

4 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In person, Online Real Time

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

City Campus, Footscray Nicholson, Online Real Time, VU Brisbane, VU Sydney

Next start date

29 April 2024

Application closes

21 April 2024

View all start dates

An early childhood teaching student reading to children in the classroom.

Overview

Give your early childhood career an edge by developing your leadership skills with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership at Victoria University (VU).

Set yourself up for advanced career opportunities with this unique VU course, the only one of its kind that allows you to dedicate four years of study to early childhood education with a focus on leadership.

Your Bachelor of Early Childhood Education will prepare you for a rewarding career nurturing the development and wellbeing of children from birth to five years. As a degree-qualified early childhood teacher, you’ll:

support young children with the important foundations to set them up for success in life
develop techniques for involving families as important contributors to the learning process
set children up for effective transitions to school.

At VU, you will learn to support children to feel capable and confident. You’ll build a strong sense of social justice, understand child development in the early years and develop ethical professional teaching practice that includes Indigenous perspectives.

By adding a fourth year to your bachelor degree, you will open the door to a higher-paid salary, senior roles in early childhood education and management positions in childcare centres.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Initiate teaching and learning practices that foster learner engagement in complex contexts and foreground Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander standpoints in early childhood education.

Critically reflect on different ways of knowing, being, and doing, founded on the view of children and families as capable contributors to conceptual and pedagogical decision-making in learning and teaching; undertake an advanced study of play and the image of the child in different communities.

Design teaching practices that reflect an ability to contextualise, question, resist, rethink, and act towards equity and the public good and design learning opportunities that embrace a rich and varied curriculum, ensure that learning and teaching approaches are based on sound ethical principles and foster reciprocal relationships in early childhood settings.

Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of pedagogy, curriculum and assessment in relation to the changing nature of education in a rapidly-evolving global context; undertake deep inquiry into local and global contexts of Early Childhood Education.

Critically review and articulate a range of oral and written communication techniques, including in the use of Information and Communication Technologies, to engage and connect with students, their parents/carers and the wider community,

Analyse models of leadership and advocacy and apply principles of ethical leadership in Early Childhood.
: The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership builds on our three-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with a fourth year dedicated to in-depth understanding of:

leadership skills

global perspectives in education

politics and policy of education

in-depth play-based education.
Plus, a key focus of your fourth year will be a research inquiry project on a topic of your choice relating to early childhood education.

If you have already completed a three-year degree in early childhood education, you can enter this course in fourth year to complete the one-year leadership component.
: If you study this course from first year, you’ll enjoy the supportive experience of our VU First Year College® in the heart of Melbourne in-person at our City Campus.

For years two and three, you can choose from three flexible study options:

in-person at Footscray Nicholson campus

online in real-time via Zoom, three nights per week

online self-paced, with one weekly support session.
In fourth year, you can study either in-person at Footscray Nicholson campus or online in real-time via Zoom.
: Studying at VU means taking advantage of our strong connections with community centres, local councils, childcare settings and kindergartens.

Your 80 days of supervised teaching experience includes:

10 days in the unique VU playgroup program

15 days with infants and toddlers in a childcare centre

55 days with 3–5-year-olds in a childcare centre or funded kindergarten.
In our VU Play pop-up play spaces, you’ll create and maintain play spaces that encourage children to engage in self-directed play, using loose parts and various materials. You’ll adhere to the philosophy of ‘playwork’ to observe, reflect and analyse the children playing and intervene or make changes when needed. This program runs permanently at Footscray Nicholson campus and many other suitable locations.

Find out more about our practical programs in early childhood education.
: Experience a range of cultures, histories and early childhood teaching styles to broaden your perspective. As a VU student, you’ll have access to our:

Study tour to Malaysia: complete a three-week placement in a Malaysian early childhood centre, enjoying a rich cultural immersion experience to learn different approaches to early childhood education.

Student exchange with Karlstad University in Sweden: spend six months in Sweden studying and completing practical placements that count towards your course, learning European approaches to early childhood education and broadening your cultural awareness.

Placements in the Northern Territory: spend four weeks in a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory, experiencing a rich culture and perspectives to inform your approach to early childhood teaching.
Find out more about practical programs in early childhood education and exchange programs at VU.
: If you have already completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, enjoy guaranteed entry into this course and skip first year.

If you have already completed a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, you can gain credit for the first three years of this course and study only fourth year.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

Entry criteria

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:

Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)

an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE

an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent)
OR:
22451VIC Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation.
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a 3 year ACECQA accredited degree
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course (or equivalent)
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Training & Development, Education, Child Care or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English (or equivalent).
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students

(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 25 59.5%

(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
NA NA

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
<5 <5

(D) Work and Life experience 0 0.0%

International students 12 28.6%

All students 42 100%

"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	25	59.5%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study	<5	<5
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	<5	<5
(D) Work and Life experience	0	0.0%
International students	12	28.6%
All students	42	100%

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

VU Guaranteed

If you’re currently in Year 11 or 12, our exclusive VU Guaranteed program offers a guaranteed place in a university or TAFE course, before your final Year 12 exams.

Learn more about VU Guaranteed

Additional information

Applicants with a 3 year ACECQA accredited degree not awarded in the previous 5 years must provide current VIT registration as an ECT and a CV prior to admission/credit being granted.

Students will require a Working with Children Check or equivalent in NSW and Queensland to be eligible to undertake and participate in workplace visits, placements or projects. Use the following site link to obtain additional information:
http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

First Year students will complete their study at City Tower campus or in Online Real Time (ORT) or at a Sydney or Brisbane venue. The Online Self-Paced option (OSP) and In-Person delivery at Footscray Nicholson campus will be available from Year 2.

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership students will be required to complete:

384 credit points of Core studies

Units

Fees & Scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Fees

Scholarships

Victorian Government incentives

CAREERS

Take advantage of the high demand for bachelor-qualified early childhood teachers with funded three-year-old kindergarten rolling out across Victoria and an expected 21.6% growth in childcare jobs by 2026.

Thanks to the essential experience you’ll get from working in childcare and teaching in kindergartens during your placements, you’ll be ready to register as a teacher as soon as you graduate. With this nationally accredited degree, you can work around Australia and take on leadership roles in:

public or private kindergartens
long day care centres
early childhood centres in Australia
policy development with government bodies.

With strong growth expected for both early childhood teachers and child care centre managers, you can expect to earn above-average wages while enjoying the rewards that come with nurturing the next generation.

View the employment growth and average salary for early childhood teachers (Jobs and Skills Australia)
View the employment growth and average salary for child care centre managers (Jobs and Skills Australia)

Register as a teacher

As soon as you graduate from this course, you’ll meet the requirements to register as a teacher with Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and Victorian Institute for Teaching (VIT), the Victorian body for Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

VU Stories

Finding joy outside her comfort zone

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

"It’s incredible to be a part of the magic with children as they freely express themselves. It never ever gets boring – it’s always a new day with new challenges!"

Melanie's story