Deakin’s teaching courses: be ready to teach every learner

From Trimester 1 2026, Deakin University’s refreshed early childhood, primary and secondary teaching courses will set a new standard for excellence in graduate teachers. Together with new innovative and practice-informed updates, you’ll be supported to become a prepared, resilient teacher ready for today’s complex classrooms.

Deakin is the only university in Australia to embed the Berry Street Education Model across all initial teaching degrees. This unique model means, as a future educator, you’ll learn to build safe, inclusive and productive classrooms from your very first year in schools.

‘Deakin’s teaching degrees go beyond national standards,' explains Professor Damian Blake, Head of the School of Education. ‘Our practical, inclusive courses, co-designed with schools, equip graduates with resilience, a trauma-informed toolkit and the confidence needed to thrive and build sustainable careers.’

This evidence-based approach gives you strategies to manage behaviour, build strong relationships and create safe, inclusive learning environments. You’ll graduate from the #1 Victorian uni for graduate employment equipped to recognise trauma and the ability to offer constructive support.

The Australian Government has introduced 83 core content standards ensuring every teaching degree delivers the knowledge and skills schools expect.

At Deakin, this means:

• you'll focus on key subjects like English, maths, science and humanities, as well as effective strategies for building productive learning relationships and managing safe and inclusive classrooms
• the course structure is more streamlined, helping you stay on track without being overwhelmed
• you’ll graduate with proven, practical teaching and assessment strategies
• you’ll be better prepared for the realities of the classroom from day one.

‘Our teaching courses reflect what schools need now – practical and responsive teachers ready for the classroom,’ says Professor Blake. 'We offer flexible learning and over 30 specialist teaching methods across secondary and VET disciplines. We prepare graduates to teach in diverse and dynamic settings with confidence.’

Each course now focuses more deeply on its respective stages of learning – early childhood, primary and secondary – aligning more closely with the job market. Almost 80% of schools are either primary or secondary only^*, so this structure is built to match real employment opportunities.

Digital capability is also a core theme throughout our redesigned courses. As a future teacher, you’ll graduate ready to engage with AI and other emerging technologies. You’ll feel confident teaching in modern learning environments and ready to adapt as the teaching profession evolves.

As Professor Blake puts it: ‘Deakin prepares future-focused teachers who are confident using digital tools and AI-enabled technologies to enhance learning. We recognise students' existing strengths and then build on their practical, research-informed skills that they’ll use in tomorrow’s classrooms.'

You'll graduate not only knowledgeable, but classroom ready. Every undergraduate teaching student completes a minimum of 80 days of professional placement. These placements are guaranteed and carefully tailored to match your teaching area, location and transport. Whether you’re in a local school, a rural setting or an international placement, you're supported throughout by a dedicated team and one-on-one mentors.

Whether you’re looking to become a primary teacher, early childhood teacher or teach at secondary level in Victoria, there’s a clear path forward – and across. You’ll have room to grow and shift paths as your goals evolve.