Top 5 for education in Australia*
Victorian Institute of Teaching guided curriculum
Pathway to primary education
Key facts
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Begin your journey to becoming a teacher by studying an Associate Degree of Education at Deakin. You’ll complete core units from the Bachelor of Education (Primary) and develop the foundation skills required to succeed at university.
Whether you are looking to forge a path in education, have never studied at university - or you’re not sure if you meet the entry requirements, this degree is for you. It is designed to introduce you to what it’s like to study at Deakin and to set you on the pathway to becoming a teacher.
Experience smaller class sizes, giving you better access to teachers in your first year. You’ll learn the essential skills needed to succeed at university, including effective communication, digital literacy, teamwork and critical thinking. In addition to learning the foundation skills, you will study core units that will kickstart your learning in education from the beginning of your degree.
Do you want to begin studying at university, but not sure where to start?
Immerse yourself in the campus environment and our world-class teaching facilities while benefiting from a supported entry into tertiary study. You’ll cover units including:
- arts education
- Australian history
- humanities
- literacy
- maths
- physical education
- science.
In addition, there is a unit on teachers’ work, which lays the groundwork for a unit that includes a placement in a primary school in your second year.
Best of all, once you’ve successfully completed your degree, you’ll be on track to meet the requirements needed to transfer into a Bachelor of Education (Primary). And because you’ve already completed core education units as part of your associate degree, you’ll be able to graduate sooner – saving you time and money.
Before beginning your studies, prospective teaching students need to successfully complete the CASPer test – an online, video scenario-based test that lets you demonstrate your suitability for a teaching career.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Associate Degree of Education
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- E200
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 6.
Course structure
To qualify for the Associate Degree of Education, students will be required to complete 16 credit points of study comprising:
- 13 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point elective unit
- 2 credit points of primary specialisation units
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
13
Core Units
1
Electives
2
Specialisation
16
Total
Year 1
Foundation units
Core units
Year 2
Foundation Units:
Core Units:
Elective Units:
Elective
Primary Specialisation Units:
2 credit points of primary specialisation units
Specialisations
^ Deakin has four options for languages study: Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Spanish:
Concurrent enrolments in A221 Diploma of Arabic or A222 Diploma of Chinese, or A223 Diploma of Indonesian, or A224 Diploma of Spanish or equivalent with up to 4 credit points of RPL are given upon the completion. Completion of 3 units from any of A221 or A222 or A223 or A224 and enrolment in one further unit of A221, A222, A223 or A224 or equivalent are pre-requisite for ECL306. The Diploma can be undertaken concurrently with another course and is of 3-years part-time duration with eight credit points.
There are two options for each Diploma:
i) for students with no background in the language; or
ii) an advanced study for those with Year 12 level (or equivalent) in the language.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Warrnambool
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work-integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer to the relevant unit guide.
Participation requirements
The Associate Degree of Education involves compulsory school placements of 5-days in year 2.
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Ask a question about studying at Deakin
Entry requirements
Current or recent Year 12
If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.
ATAR
Selection will be based on your performance in a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
Personal statement
All Applicants for the Associate Degree of Education must complete the Associate Degree of Education Personal Statement Form.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Higher education study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
All Applicants for the Associate Degree of Education must complete the Associate Degree of Education Personal Statement Form.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
VET study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
All Applicants for the Associate Degree of Education must complete the Associate Degree of Education Personal Statement Form.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
All Applicants for the Associate Degree of Education must complete the Associate Degree of Education Personal Statement Form.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Selection adjustments
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2023 students (PDF, 354.0KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships.
In particular for applicants interested in studying at the Warrnambool campus, the Deakin Warrnambool residential scholarship may be of interest.
Apply now
Applications for Trimester 1, 2024 open in August.
In the meantime, why not speak to our student advisers about your course and career options? It’s the best way for future students like you to get expert advice on preparing your application.
To learn more about what the Associate Degree of Education at Deakin has to offer, download our course flyer.
Entry pathways
This course is designed to support your pathway to the Bachelor of Education (Primary).
On successful completion of the Associate Degree of Education, you may articulate into the Bachelor of Education (Primary) and be eligible for guaranteed entry, subject to meeting the entry requirements of that course*.
You may receive up to 12 credit points of Recognition of Prior Learning for units undertaken in E200 Associate Degree of Education.
* All Applicants into E359 Bachelor of Education (Primary) must complete an additional selection tool for non-academic attributes. Deakin University is using the Casper assessment tool. Casper is an online, video-scenario based situational judgement test, designed to measure non-academic suitability for teaching.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
Career outcomes
As a graduate of the Associate Degree of Education, you will have guaranteed entry into our Bachelor of Education (Primary) and credit towards this degree, provided you successfully complete the Casper test.
An associate degree equips you with the skills to succeed at both university and in your future career. Graduates find employment opportunities in a range of fields, including:
- education
- government departments
- health sector
- media
- private academies/agencies
- public service.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply theoretical knowledge and skills in education to an emerging understanding of curriculum and pedagogy appropriate to the discipline-specific teaching and learning needs of students |
| Communication | Use oral, written and electronic communication skills to coherently present knowledge and ideas in a range of educational contexts |
| Digital literacy | Navigate a range of digital technologies in order to locate, analyse, synthesise and communicate complex information |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse and evaluate educational and scholarly materials in order to articulate rationales and philosophies for approaches to teaching and learning: curriculum, pedagogy and assessment |
| Problem solving | Use knowledge and skills in education to generate creative, innovative and authentic solutions to a range of real-world problems encountered in learning environment and communities |
| Self-management | Act with autonomy, responsibility and accountability in learning and working independently and reflectively to deepen professional skills and knowledge of contemporary educational contexts |
| Teamwork | Apply the theories of teamwork in order to work and learn collaboratively with others and as a member of a team in professional and scholarly contexts |
| Global citizenship | Apply emerging knowledge and skills in education to design innovative learning experiences that address social justice, equity, diversity and ethical issues |
| Approved at Faculty Board 2019 | |
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Footnotes
**QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019
##ARWU Rankings 2020