Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1
- Duration
- 4 years
- Delivery Mode
- Distance (online with some face-to-face), Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- UAC code 422160
- Program code 4071
- CRICOS code 113669D
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2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $4,500*
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2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $18,500*
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2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $49,500*
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2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $216,500*
Fees
Fees
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Practical experience
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NESA accredited
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Embedded honours
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Want to make an impact in a changing world? Uncover the tools and expertise to shape the future of education.
A UNSW Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours) degree, developed in partnership with the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA), provides foundational knowledge in teacher education applying the latest research into evidence-based practice – with the opportunity to specialise in English and mathematics.
Taught by practising teachers with significant real-world experience, you’ll learn how to critically think about education and prepare for leadership roles in education.
And with hands-on, authentic classroom experience from year 1, you’ll learn how to transform children’s lives through innovative professional practice that evolves with the times.
Key features
Hands-on classroom experience
Benefit from our practice-oriented education, with learning in schools from your first term. You’ll undertake 80 days of Professional Experience in a school and be ready to teach whole-class lessons by your third year of study.
Flexible study options
Fit your study around your life. We offer a number of flexible delivery modes including face-to-face, online and hybrid to allow diverse communities far and wide to access the degree. You may also be able to study part-time.
Specialise your skills
Set yourself apart and follow your passion through the program’s embedded honours. Apply your knowledge and skills to a specialist area of education and fast-track your career success.
Professional Accreditation
This program has been developed in close partnership with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). That means you’ll graduate with the professional accreditation required to teach in government and non-government primary schools in Australia and overseas.
Riverina teaching hub
Work part-time and earn a salary as a paraprofessional teacher in a Riverina local school while studying. Find out more.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
- Study at a school benchmarked with the highest global rating for education research (ARC, Excellence in Research for Australia) – UNSW is the only university in NSW that has achieved 5 in the most recent ERA in the fields of education
- Prioritise career success – UNSW won the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable Students Award in 2024
- Gain accreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
- Join our internationally acclaimed research team to explore new theories, ideas and knowledge to advance teaching practices and policies across the globe
- Benefit from strong industry partnerships and world-class alumni connections
- Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community
- Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities
- Join a global Top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024)
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
Entry requirements
The Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours) will launch in Term 1 2024 for domestic applicants and therefore, no prior Admissions information is available.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Domestic students are eligible to apply for the following volume of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits towards their UNSW degree that belong in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture:
- 1-year Diploma: 48 UoC (equivalent to first year)
- 1.5-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 72 UoC (equivalent to first year and a half)
- 2-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 96 UoC (equivalent to two years)
Considering your previous qualifications and their relevance to the chosen program at UNSW, the type and amount of credit you can apply for, as well as the duration of your remaining program, will then be determined.
Assessment by the Program Director is required for RPL applications toward Professional Accredited programs. Please note that eligibility for the full volume of RPL may be subject to accreditation requirements.
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- The 2024 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024.
- The 2024 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
- The 2024 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2024 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
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At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Assumed knowledge
A minimum of three Band 5 HSC results (including one in English), and a Mathematics Band 4 HSC result.
Please note, this program is structured to include Foundational English and Foundational Mathematics courses in the first year to allow applicants to meet the three Band 5 and Mathematics Band 4 NESA requirements.
Adjustment Factors
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Admission pathways
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
Please note: Due to a publication error, a print version of the UNSW 2024 Domestic Undergraduate Guide incorrectly listed the Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours) as included in the Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme. This is not an eligible degree within the Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme for 2024 entry.
UNSW Prep Program
If you want to study at UNSW but faced challenges in year 11 and 12 that make you eligible for the UNSW ACCESS Scheme, but you don't meet the cut-off for degree entry, consider UNSW Prep.
UNSW Prep is a one-year (18 months for Engineering) pathway to a UNSW degree place. You'll study subjects that allow you to develop your academic skills, including maths skills if needed, so that you can achieve your best results. You also study degree level courses from week one, to give you a realistic introduction to university level study. If you do well in these courses you can earn course credit towards your degree.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
International direct entry
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Typically, international students are eligible to apply for the following volume of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits towards their UNSW degree that belong in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture:
- 1-year Diploma: Up to 48 UoC
- 1.5-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 72 UoC
- 2-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 96 UoC
Generally, International students must ensure that their prior qualifications are assessed and deemed relevant to the program they intend to pursue. Additionally, they are required to maintain a full-time study load as part of the conditions for their Confirmation of Enrolment.
Admission pathways
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
What will I study?
The Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours) is a four-year equivalent primary teacher degree that can be completed in four years full-time. While the program, consisting of 192 UOC, is fixed, part-time study is possible. The program is also offered in flexible delivery modes including face-to-face, online and hybrid to allow diverse communities far and wide to access the degree.
The program supports students to meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at graduate level. Academic lecturers and local teachers with experience in primary education work together to provide core education courses and discipline-specific curriculum and pedagogy with six key learning areas of the primary curriculum:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- History and Geography
- Creative Arts
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
The program also includes embedded honours. This allows you to extend your interest in a specialist area of education (eg. English, Mathematics, or in an alternative area of interest within primary education) by undertaking a self-directed minor thesis, supported by a supervising academic. The honours thesis must demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge and skills developed in coursework components of their program either in English or Mathematics, which supports a teaching specialisation, or in an alternate area of interest.
Majors
Careers in Education
Becoming a teacher is an opportunity to shape the next generation through education, working either in the classroom or behind the scenes.
This program also offers a pathway into research in teacher education, consultancy, education policy and education more broadly.
Potential careers
- Primary school teacher
- Principal
- Education consultant
- Education policy
- Education research
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), qualifying you to teach in both government and non-government primary schools in all states of Australia and overseas.
How to apply
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 1
*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.
All places within the Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree are Commonwealth supported. This means that if you receive an offer from UNSW Sydney as a domestic student, you will have a substantial proportion of your fees subsidised by the Australian government. Start your application today with our guide on how to apply.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
The student community collectively inspire and encourage my individual career goals.
