Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education - VU Brisbane

Launch a rewarding and in-demand pre-school teaching career, with VU's one-year Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

Our graduate diploma allows graduates of degree programs to become early-childhood teachers. With the current 3-year-old kindergarten expansion in Victoria, this course places you in an excellent position to apply for work as a kinder teacher.

Key information

Course code: EGEC
CRICOS code: 113431D
Duration: 2 semesters of study
Fees (2025): AU$16,100 per semester (scholarship available)
Intakes: 24 February, 28 April, 28 July, 29 September

Overview

This course is tailored to applicants with an undergraduate qualification in a discipline other than early childhood. If you hold an early childhood teaching degree and you're looking to advance your career, we recommend upskilling to a four year degree by applying for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership.

You'll study units focused on children from birth to five years, learning how teaching practice can include children and families as capable participants in education.

You'll also gain hands-on work experience in a range of settings, including childcare and kindergartens, graduating with expertise in early-childhood learning built on a strong sense of social justice.

Gain insight into the early years by studying these fascinating areas:

child development
teaching practice that includes Aboriginal perspectives
education and curriculum studies focused on childhood and relationships
family and community contexts
advocacy and activism in early-childhood settings
history and philosophy of early childhood
ethical early-childhood professional practice.

The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is recognised as the equivalent of a four-year degree.

Commonwealth supported places in 2024

Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2024.

Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!

: Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model® with undergraduate students, we have rolled out the VU Block Model® to our postgraduate courses.
This course is delivered in four-week mode, which means you study one unit (subject) at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model® gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.
The VU Block Model® has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.
: You'll complete 60 days of supervised professional experience, including:
15 days with children aged birth – 35 months
15 days with 3–5 year olds
5 days community playspace, with children aged birth – 8 years
25 days in a 3–4-year-old, or 4–5-year-old, kindergarten program (preschool).
We have many exciting projects, partnerships and initiatives to help you learn from experience working with young children. VU will find you a placement, or you can also organise your own placement, if this is your preference.
: This course has been approved by Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), which oversees national quality frameworks in early-childhood education.
This means that you'll graduate with the latest early-childhood teaching methods and knowledge.

Student leaning against wall with VU blue branded diamond.

VU Block Model

When you study a postgrad course at VU, you complete each unit across a certain number of weeks. This learning period is called a ‘block', and the course structure is known as the VU Block Model®.

Course structure

To attain the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education students will be required to complete:

96 credit points of Core units and
the '0' credit point unit ECE 6013 Professional Practice 2.

: Unit title Unit code Credit
Contemporary Issues, Social Contexts of Learning and Social Justice ECE6003 12
Inclusive Practice in Education ECE6008 12
Early Childhood Development Learning and Teaching ECE6009 12
Place, Play and the Languages of Science ECE6010 12
Languages of Children ECE6011 12
Professional Practice 1 ECE6012 12
Professional Practice 2 ECE6013
Professional Practice 3 ECE6014 24
: 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 standpoints in early childhood education
critically review 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
design teaching practices that reflect an ability to contextualise, question, resist, rethink, and act towards equity and the public good
exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of early childhood pedagogy, curriculum and assessment in relation to the changing nature of education in a rapidly-evolving global context
appraise, adapt, and exemplify a range of oral and written communication techniques to engage and connect with learners, their parents/carers and the wider community
create learning opportunities that embrace a rich and varied curriculum, reflecting culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds ensuring that learning and teaching approaches are based on sound ethical principles and foster reciprocal relationships in early childhood settings.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent).

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from countries other than Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland will be required to complete IELTS: Overall 7.0 with Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.5.

OR the following scores that serve as equivalent scores for the IELTS:

ISPLR: Overall (3+) L (4), R (3+), W (3+), S (4)
TOEFL: Overall (94), L (27), R (21), W (24), S (24)
PTE: Overall (65-72), L (73), R (58), W (58), S (73)

Applicants with a minimum of 3 year bachelor's degree from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland will not be required to complete IELTS.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Credit for skills & past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for credit (advanced standing).

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Careers

Childcare job openings are expecting massive growth (ACECQA).

Thanks to the essential experience you’ll get from teaching early-childhood settings during your placement, you’ll be work-ready when you graduate.

With an ACECQA approved early-childhood teacher qualification, our graduates can find employment in:

public or private kindergartens (preschool)
long-day-care centres
early-childhood centres in the state of Victoria, Australia.

This course is ACECQA accredited and is recognised by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) for teaching registration in Victoria and by the Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA).

Salaries

Check the Labour Market Insights website to find the average salary for early-childhood teachers.

VU stories

A flexible education

Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50113, Bachelor of Education, Master of Education

"VU offers a lot of hands-on practical experience in the teaching profession. I've been able to build my professional networks. "

Sam's story

How to apply

1. Talk to us – Call +61 2 8265 3222

A conversation with one of our Student Enrolment Advisors will reassure you that you meet all the application requirements of the online course.

2. Prepare your documents

To complete your application, you will need to submit:

certified copies of your academic transcript/s or certificate/s of completion
a copy of your current CV that includes your current Position Description (PD)
supporting letter from your employer outlining your duties, responsibilities and duration of your employment/volunteer work.

3. Submit your application.

Apply online directly via our Admissions Centre.

You will receive an email to confirm your application and advise whether you need to provide any additional information.

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