Primary education courses
Introduction to Primary education
Do you want to teach young children during their first years at school—and make a lasting impression on their lives?
Open Universities Australia can help you find the pathway into primary school teaching that suits you best, whether you want to start small without entry requirements, or dive straight into an accredited primary education degree.
Start below to compare online primary teaching courses from leading universities. When you study your course online through us, you get to explore teaching theories from home, while completing essential professional placements at real primary schools.
We’re here to answer any questions you may have about your study choices. We can also guide you every step of the way through your enrolment, so you don’t have to navigate the complex world of university administration on your own.
What to study to be a teacher
To become a qualified teacher you need a bachelor or postgraduate degree in education.
So what’s the right option for you?
Bachelor degree
Best suits you if:
You have an ATAR of 70 or higher or have done VET studies
Don’t have the right ATAR? No worries
View pathwaysPostgraduate degree
Best suits you if:
You have already completed a bachelor degree in any discipline
Pathways to becoming a teacher
You don't have to put your future on hold if you didn't finish high school, or get the right ATAR.
Start uni with a study pathway today.
No entry requirements
Two options to start
Undergraduate certificates
- Begin your path to becoming a teacher candidate straight away
- Best for aspiring teachers who are domestic students
- Flexibly upskill in as little as six months to open up career opportunities
- Gain a qualification and four subjects to credit toward a bachelor degree
- Access student loans to support your journey
Single subjects
- Best for students who want to start small and try out study
- Flexibly upskill a specific area in as little as 13 weeks
- Earn credit with each subject to count towards a bachelor degree
- Access student loans to support your journey
Continue to a degree with full credits
Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
- 100% online study with a flexibly located placement
- Graduate directly from the university
- Become a qualified teacher anywhere in Australia
Discover primary education courses
Online primary education certificate
Start with no entry requirements, and gain a certificate qualification on the way to completing your degree.
Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching Education Studies
Undergraduate
CUR-HTE-CTFWork towards your future in early childhood teaching
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Online primary education subjects and short courses
Start small with no entry requirements, and gain entry into a Bachelor of Education.
Introducing Language, Literacy and Literature for Educators
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC121- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 25 Nov 2024, 02 Jun 2025, 01 Dec 2025
Enrolments open until 28 Nov
Exploring and Contesting Curriculum
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC140- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 25 Nov 2024, 02 Jun 2025, 01 Dec 2025
Enrolments open until 28 Nov
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC145- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 25 Nov 2024, 02 Jun 2025, 01 Dec 2025
Enrolments open until 28 Nov
Educators Inquiring About the World
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC175- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 25 Nov 2024, 03 Mar 2025, 01 Sep 2025
Enrolments open until 28 Nov
Teaching and Learning in the Digital World
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC105- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 03 Mar 2025, 01 Sep 2025
Child Development for Educators
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC135- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 03 Mar 2025, 01 Sep 2025
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC153- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 03 Mar 2025, 01 Sep 2025
The Professional Educator: Developing Teacher Identity
Undergraduate
CUR-EDC163- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 03 Mar 2025
Online primary education degrees
Get ready to make a difference in people's lives and become a teacher by studying a bachelor degree.
Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)
Undergraduate
CUR-BED-DEGA student centred approach to teaching and learning
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary)
Undergraduate
ACU-EDC-DEGConfidence, skills and experience to teach prep to Year 12
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood/Primary)
Undergraduate
SCU-ECP-DEGDouble your options to work with young learners
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Undergraduate
USQ-BEP-DEG- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Bachelor of Education (Primary/Secondary)
Undergraduate
SCU-PSC-DEGA teaching degree that gives you more options
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Undergraduate
ECU-PRI-DEGA nationally accredited teaching course in primary education
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Undergraduate
SCU-PRI-DEGTransform the classroom with a primary teaching specialisation
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 4 years full time or part time equivalent
Online primary education graduate diploma
Searching for a more fulfilling career? Switch to teaching in just one year with a full time graduate diploma.
Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Education)
Postgraduate
CUR-EDP-GDISwitch careers to primary teaching – in just one year!
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
Online primary education master degrees
Deepen your understanding of education with postgraduate study.
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary)
Postgraduate
ACU-TEC-MASBring your love of learning to the classroom
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Master of Teaching (Primary Education)
Postgraduate
CUR-PRI-MASUncover your teaching talent with an in-demand qualification
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
GRF-PRT-MASAdd to your degree and become a primary teacher
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
TAS-EDC-MASA recognised teaching qualification in all states and territories
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Postgraduate
SWI-MTP-MASDevelop a holistic approach to learning
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary) / Graduate Certificate in Religious Education
Postgraduate
ACU-TER-MASSpread the world of God in the classroom.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
Not sure what to study? Take our course matching quiz.
Help me choose a courseStudent reviews
We support thousands of students on their study journey every year
Our advisors are here to help with your study goals from enrolment to completion 7 days a week.
Primary education study FAQs
What age group will a primary education degree qualify me to teach?
A primary education degree qualifies you to teach children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.
If you’d like to teach even younger children in preschools, you’ll need to complete an early childhood education course.
How long does it take to become a primary school teacher?
It depends on which pathway you take to become a primary school teacher.
If you jump straight into an approved primary teaching degree, it will take you 4 years of full-time study to complete a Bachelor of Education (Primary Education), or 2 years of full-time study to complete a Master of Teaching (Primary Education).
If you decide on a more flexible online study path, you can choose how many subjects you take at once and graduate at a faster or slower pace.
Can I really get into a Bachelor of Education even if I don't have a high enough ATAR?
Yes, through Open Universities Australia you can get in through two study pathways:
An undergraduate certificate
If you didn’t finish Year 12 or get a high enough ATAR for teaching, you can enrol in an undergraduate certificate in education, like Curtin University's Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching Education Studies. This certificate doesn’t have any entry requirements and is open to everyone. Once you complete the four subjects, you will be eligible to continue straight into a Bachelor of Education with full academic credit.
Single subjects
Alternatively, if you’re still on the fence about primary school teaching, you can try this study option. Through Open Universities Australia, you can enrol in single subjects from a Bachelor of Education without entry requirements, to get a feel for the study area. Once you finish those subjects, you can either walk away, or use them to qualify for entry into the full degree.
Book a consultation with a student advisor for more information about these study pathways.
What do you learn in a primary education degree?
You’ll learn how to:
- teach primary school-aged students in the core Australian curriculum areas, including maths, English, science and technology, history and geography, and arts.
- lead and manage a classroom of students from diverse backgrounds and a range of learning abilities.
- make lesson plans and assess student work.
- teach using appropriate technologies.
- understand child development and behaviour.
You can also choose to specialise in an area that interests you, like STEM education, the International Baccalaureate Programme or Indigenous Australian education.
What is it like to study primary education online?
When you study primary education online, you still cover the same material as an on-campus student. But instead of attending classes in a physical classroom, you watch your lectures and complete your coursework through an online learning portal when it’s convenient to you. This gives you the flexibility to fit study around other commitments in your life like full-time work or carer responsibilities.
Online study can also give you an advantage in the workforce. Former student Ally Kettle had time to volunteer at a local primary school when she completed her online Bachelor of Education with Curtin University. The extra practical experience gave her an edge when a graduate teaching position came up. She landed the role over hundreds of other applicants.
Will I go on professional placements?
Yes, you’ll have the opportunity to complete professional placements at local, rural, regional or interstate schools and engage with students from all sorts of backgrounds. You’re required to complete a set number of hours in the classroom before you can qualify as a teacher in Australia.
Will I be a qualified teacher once I graduate?
Yes, the Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching courses that are available through Open Universities Australia are approved teaching courses, or what’s known as Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses.
Once you graduate, you will be eligible for registration as a primary school teacher in all Australian states and territories, and in countries that recognise Australian primary teaching qualifications. You will be able to teach in Australian Government, Catholic and Independent schools.
What other jobs can I do with a primary teaching degree?
Primary education graduates aren’t just restricted to teaching careers. You could also work outside the classroom, in an area such as:
- school administration and management
- education reform and policy
- education research
- curriculum design
- inclusive education
- corporate training
- youth guidance counselling.
How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.
Chat with us to find out more.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.
For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.
Student stories and study advice
What is a Master of Education?
Become an expert in education with this postgraduate course that will take you to the top of the class. Learn how to drive meaningful change in the education sector.What’s in the 2024 budget for online students?
The Federal Government made a lot of education announcements in its 2024 budget last week, including a welcome change to HELP indexation. So what are the main things you need to know about as an online student? Here’s a quick and easy recap.5 inclusive teaching strategies to know
Start practising these strategies in your classroom now, or bookmark them for your learning journey. Inclusive school communities equal inclusive societies, period.What is inclusive education?
Inclusive education is about students of all abilities, backgrounds and identities learning and growing together. Read more about the positives, negatives and practicalities here..We’re here to guide you to the right uni course
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.
Over 523,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.
How we can help you
Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.
You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni
We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.
You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year
We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.
You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education
As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.