#1 in Australia for education and educational research*
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
Take the first step toward a rewarding career in teaching when you study an Associate Degree of Education at Deakin – ranked #1 in Australia for education and educational research.* This course offers a pathway into your next education degree.
If you’ve never studied at university or you’re not sure if you meet the entry requirements, an Associate Degree of Education is a flexible option that provides a supportive learning environment and sets you on the pathway to succeed in your future teaching career.
By studying an Associate Degree of Education you’ll learn the essential skills needed to succeed at university including effective communication, digital literacy, teamwork and critical thinking abilities.
Create a pathway into your ultimate career by completing core and elective units from your choice of undergraduate teaching degrees:
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education
Bachelor of Health and Physical Education
Do you want to create a pathway to your ultimate career as a teacher?
Immerse yourself in the Deakin environment and experience our world-class teaching facilities while benefiting from a supported entry into tertiary study. Your study will enable you to gain deeper understanding of the following disciplines:
- arts education
- Australian history
- humanities
- literacy
- maths
- physical education
- science.
You’ll complete a professional experience unit, that will prepare you to teach in real-world primary school settings during your bachelor degree.
Once you’ve successfully completed your associate degree, you will be on track to step into one of Deakin's undergraduate teaching degrees to become a fully registered teacher.
Before beginning your further 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
2024 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400310241 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400510241 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400710241 - Warrnambool, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) - Deakin code
- E200
- Level
- Undergraduate
- 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 Module DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
13
Core units
1
Elective units
2
Specialisation units
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 ETL710. 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
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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Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education
- completion of a certificate III or higher in any discipline
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- secondary schooling in English
- IELTS 5.5
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Non-academic requirements
All Applicants for the Associate Degree of Education must complete the Associate Degree of Education Personal Statement Form.
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 Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2023 students (PDF, 354KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
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 on our Current students fees website.
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, 2025 open in August. Each year, thousands of students prepare for uni with the help of Deakin support services. We offer a huge range of support, including one-on-one consultations, webinars, online resources and events throughout the year.
Applications for Trimester 1, 2025 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 into one of Deakin’s undergraduate teaching degrees. On successful completion of the Associate Degree of Education, you may articulate into one of the degrees below and be eligible for guaranteed entry, subject to meeting the entry requirements of that course*.
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
You may receive up to 12 credit points of Recognition of prior learning for units undertaken in E200 Associate Degree of Education. Completion of both the associate degree and the Bachelor of Education (Primary) can be undertaken in 5-years full-time.
Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education
You may receive up to 5 credit points of Recognition of prior learning* for units undertaken in E200 Associate Degree of Education. Completion of both the associate degree and the Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education can be undertaken in 6-years full-time.
*The amount of Recognition of prior learning awarded will vary according to the specialisation sequence selected upon entry into the Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education.
Bachelor of Health and Physical Education
You may receive up to 3 credit points of Recognition of prior learning* for units undertaken in E200 Associate Degree of Education. Completion of both the associate degree and the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education can be undertaken in 6-years full-time.
*The amount of Recognition of prior learning awarded will vary according to the specialisation sequence selected upon entry into the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education.
^ All Applicants into a Deakin teaching degree must successfully 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. Open yourself to employment opportunities as a qualified teacher or across 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
* U.S. News & World Report, Best Global Universities Subject Rankings 2022–2023
# Year on year, our undergraduate students are the most-satisfied students of all Victorian universities. Australian Graduate Survey 2010-2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2022 (GOS), Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT).