Send me a PDF copyFast track your study
'QUT's offer in fast tracking study was a key factor in my decision. This credit recognition, combined with the university's reputation for academic excellence and hands-on learning, made QUT the ideal choice for my studies and a perfect fit for my career goals. As a mature student, this was incredibly helpful, as it enabled me to fast track my education and move closer to my goal of becoming an early childhood teacher. It was an important step in pursuing my passion and dream in the field of early childhood education.'
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) graduate
Fast track your study
'QUT's offer in fast tracking study was a key factor in my decision. This credit recognition, combined with the university's reputation for academic excellence and hands-on learning, made QUT the ideal choice for my studies and a perfect fit for my career goals. As a mature student, this was incredibly helpful, as it enabled me to fast track my education and move closer to my goal of becoming an early childhood teacher. It was an important step in pursuing my passion and dream in the field of early childhood education.'
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) graduate
Highlights
- Graduates of this course can work as an early childhood teacher in early learning centres, kindergartens, and Prep to Year 3 in primary schools.
- Build upon your existing experience within early childhood education to complete your studies sooner and further impact the development and well-being of young children.
- Gain real-world experience through diverse professional experience placements from your first year of study, organised by QUT.
Highlights
- Graduates of this course can work as an early childhood teacher in early learning centres, kindergartens, and Prep to Year 3 in primary schools.
- Build upon your existing experience within early childhood education to complete your studies sooner and further impact the development and well-being of young children.
- Gain real-world experience through diverse professional experience placements from your first year of study, organised by QUT.
Why choose this course?
Complete your degree sooner with the appropriate learning prerequisites. Graduates of this course are equipped to teach in early learning centres, kindergartens, and Prep to Year 3 in primary schools. This degree also opens opportunities to work across Australia and internationally.
The early years are a time of rapid growth and development. Early relationships, interactions and experiences provide the foundation for everything that follows - school, work, life. Early childhood teachers make a significant and lasting contribution to a child’s education and lifelong learning.
Real-world learning
At QUT, our flexible courses accommodate busy lives, offering credit for suitable early childhood qualifications and work experience. Online students join a learning community with expert support and easy access to course content.
Professional experience
We arrange professional placements, supervised by practicing teachers, in diverse environments like classrooms, kindergartens, and early learning centres, starting from your first year.
Professional Experience placements can be done in your home region, with schedules provided in advance, and QUT library resources can be mailed to you. During this course, you are required to complete 95 days (equivalent to 665 hours) of professional experience placements.
Find out more about professional experience
Apply for a Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship
The Australian Government is supporting new students looking to start teaching, by providing $40,000 for full-time Bachelor of Education students or $20,000 for full-time Master of Teaching students.
Applications for round two are now closed.
Explore this course
We will ensure you can step into your career with confidence and continue to adapt to ongoing workforce changes and future opportunities. Some key inclusions in the course are:
- Early Childhood Education: Understanding child development, curriculum and pedagogy, creating positive learning environments, and fostering inclusion and diversity.
- Professional and Community Engagement: Building relationships with parents, carers, communities, and stakeholders, developing professional identity, and incorporating global perspectives.
- Innovation and Leadership: Utilising digital technologies, entrepreneurial thinking, leadership, innovation, creativity, and focusing on evaluation, research, and resilience.
Visit the student and graduate blog to find out more about what it’s like to study education and where a QUT degree can take you.
Learn from the best
You’ll learn from innovative lecturers with real-world experience in early childhood education, committed to providing a quality experience. Recognised among the nation’s most outstanding teaching and learning programs, QUT Education has received twelve Australian awards or citations for university teaching over the past ten years.
Learn more about learning from the best
Real-world facilities
Experience our state-of-the-art Education Precinct at the heart of Kelvin Grove campus. With five levels dedicated to world-class teaching, you’ll have access to imaginatively designed face-to-face and online interactive learning spaces. To prepare you to be an inspiring, innovative and confident teacher for the future, you’ll be able to experiment and innovate in preparation for professional experiences in schools and early childhood centres. The spaces facilitate just the right balance of collaborative learning, interaction and quiet individual research.
Careers and outcomes
Specialisation for primary teaching
This course qualifies you as an early childhood teacher to teach young children in prior-to-school settings (e.g., kindergarten) and the lower years of primary school (Prep-Year 3). As part of this degree, you will undertake a primary specialisation as required by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership in literacy.
You can explore a range of careers, including:
- childcare centre or kindergarten director
- education policy and program implementation
- training and development roles in private and public organisations
- education and outreach roles
- developing products for the early childhood sector
- learning designer
- entertainment industry roles
- consultancy
- education research.
If you want to teach only in prior-to-school early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings, and gain a professional early childhood teacher qualification, then you may be interested in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five).
Professional recognition
This course meets professional teaching standards for the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and Queensland College of Teachers. Graduates are eligible to apply for teacher registration. Graduates are also recognised as qualified early childhood teachers under the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority framework.
As this is a new course, the threshold will be available mid-January 2026.
- Course code
- ED39
- QTAC code
- 404166
- CRICOS code
- 080481D
-
- Online
- Kelvin Grove
- 2.5-3 years full-time
- 5-6 years part-time
- The 2.5 year accelerated program is only available to full-time students commencing in the February intake
-
Part-time on-campus students should note that daytime attendance is required. Some lectures and tutorials may have evening sessions.
- 4 years full-time
-
Part-time on-campus students should note that daytime attendance is required. Some lectures and tutorials may have evening sessions.
- February and July
- First intake for the course is February 2026.
Prerequisites
- English, or Literature, or English and Literature extension, or English as an additional language (units 3 & 4, C)
- General mathematics, mathematical methods or specialist mathematics (units 3 & 4, C)
Haven't completed the prerequisite subjects?
You may be able to meet the prerequisite requirements if you've completed equivalent subjects or by completing bridging courses.
How to meet prerequisite requirements
Entry requirements
You must have:
- A Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) completed in 2016 or more recently
If you completed your diploma earlier than 2016, you must provide evidence with your QTAC application of at least two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience in early childhood education and care gained in 2021 or more recently.
If you do not have a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent), or if your diploma was completed earlier than 2016 and you do not have the required work experience, you will need to undertake the four-year program Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (QTAC code 404162).
Automatic advanced standing (credit)
If admitted to the diploma entry program you will automatically receive one year of advanced standing which will entitle you to complete the degree in two years (full time).
Applicants with work experience
If admitted to the diploma entry program and you have:
- completed your diploma in 2016 or more recently and at least two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience in early childhood education and care; or
- completed your diploma earlier than 2016 and at least two years full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience in early childhood education and care gained in 2021 or more recently
you can receive an additional 48 credit points of advanced standing. This allows you to complete the course in one and a half years instead of two. You will need to lodge an Advanced Standing application and provide an official statement of service from your employer after you receive your offer.
Offer guarantee
If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
I completed secondary school in Australia
Offer guarantee
If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
VET guarantee
If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Minimum English language requirements
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Blue card
This course requires you to have a blue card so you can participate in work placements and experience.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2026 fees
2026 fees
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
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