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Bachelor of Education - The Early Years

Advance Early Learning with Industry-Driven Knowledge and Support

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

For personalised assistance with UOW courses, please reach out to our Future Students Team:

Our team is available during Australian business hours, 9 am to 5 pm.

For other UOW contact details, click here.

If you’re planning to study at UOW immediately after finishing your HSC, International Baccalaureate (IB), or an interstate equivalent, you can apply for Early Admission to this course. Applications can be submitted via the UOW Early Admission website during the designated period, usually June – August each year.

Students can also apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

If you’re a non-school leaver (e.g., completed Year 12 previously and/or have a TAFE qualification or equivalent), you can apply directly to UOW.

Before applying, please review the requirements, intakes, and deadlines for your chosen degree.

International students are encouraged to apply with the support of an approved UOW agent. An agent can help navigate the application process and ensure that you submit all necessary documentation. For your nearest agent, please see our agent list.

Alternatively, if you would like to apply directly (without an agent), you can start the process through our Apply Online portal. Please note, some applicants will not be eligible to apply directly and will be prompted to apply via an agent.

International students who are studying an Australian Year 12 qualification in or outside of Australia may choose to apply through UOW Early Admission, and/or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Need help?

Contact the UOW Future Students Team:

For more details about this course

Australia: 1300 367 869. International: +61 2 4221 3218

Student ?
Campus
Wollongong
ATAR-SR ?
70
Delivery ?
On Campus, Distance
Duration
4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
  • Spring 2024
  • Spring 2025
Codes
CRICOS: 064117B
UOW: 1816

Overview

The Bachelor of Education - The Early Years is for individuals who wish to enter the world of education as an early childhood educator. This program is available as either a four-year degree delivered on-campus in Wollongong, and as a two year accelerated distance program in partnership with Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) and the NSW Department of Education.

Early Years education enriches learning in children from birth to five years by giving children the opportunity to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for lifelong learning.  

You will be equipped with the latest education technology, including access to UOW's new Early Start facility, which connects our Wollongong and regional campuses with early childhood education and care services across NSW, and with partners in national and international institutions. 

Alongside the program's distinctive design and flexible approach to professional experience, you will be paired with an industry mentor who will provide ongoing guidance throughout your degree. Additionally, you will have full access to UOW's comprehensive support services.

See the course handbook for more information.

The Bachelor of Education - The Early Years (Accelerated)
Developed by the University of Wollongong (UOW) in collaboration with the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) and the NSW Department of Education, this fully online program builds on the extensive experience of diploma-qualified professionals.

The course integrates work-based placements and employs innovative, evidence-informed teaching methods to ensure its relevance to the sector. It also emphasizes sustainability and equitable access, allowing you to continue earning an income while advancing your studies.

See The Bachelor of Education – The Early Years (Accelerated Pathway Program) page for more details.

This program is designed for experienced diploma-qualified educators, allowing them to fast-track their university qualification in a flexible environment. It is a two-year program delivered via distance.

This degree is only available to commence in Spring.

 

The Bachelor of Education - The Early Years (Wollongong Campus)
For the duration of this degree, you will engage in continuous professional mentoring through the Professional Partners in Practice (PPP) program. This will give you invaluable sector experience and professional connections that will enhance your employment pathways and opportunities. 

You will spend up to 16 weeks teaching in early childhood education and care services and 10 days in the community and family sector, complementary to the mentoring experience within the PPP program. 

Students will also have opportunities for rural and international professional experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs. 

This degree is only available to commence in Autumn.

 

See more

Careers

  • Early Childhood Teacher
  • Education Centre Manager
  • Family Day Care Operator
  • Education Program Coordinator
  • Education Policy
  • Management Positions in Government
See more

Accreditation & professional recognition

The Bachelor of Education - The Early Years is accredited through the Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for future students. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For specific advice or to ask any questions regarding an application, please contact the UOW Future Students Team.

Applicants must achieve the required score in a previous qualification, equivalent to completing at least 13 years of schooling in Australia.

  • Academic Entry Requirements

    To succeed in your chosen course, you should have completed relevant subjects in senior high school or other qualifications. For more information, refer to UOW's Entry Requirements page.

  • English Language Requirements

    The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

     

    English Test

    Overall Score

    Reading

    Writing

    Listening

    Speaking

    IELTS Academic

    7.5

    7.0

    7.0

    8.0

    8.0

    TOEFL (Internet-based)

    106

    25

    25

    28

    27

     

    UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 75 in Academic Reading and Writing)
    Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.

  • Workload

    Full-Time Study Load

    As a full-time student, you can expect to commit around 48 hours of study per week. This includes class time and independent study. You may need to factor more time for examination study and practical work & placements.

    For more details on course workloads, please refer to the UOW Handbook.

  • Record Check

    New enrolling students will be required to complete the new online Working with Children Check and clearance must be obtained prior to attending Professional Experience.

    Please note: Professional Experience is a compulsory component embedded in our undergraduate and Master of Teaching courses. Therefore it is an expectation that students who participate in these courses are capable of meeting the demands of navigating their own way to, from and around the Professional Experience contexts (e.g. school sites). It needs to be noted that the off-campus environment is beyond the control of UOW.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    If you have completed prior studies or relevant professional experience, you can request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

    Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous study or work experience related to your chosen subjects.

    UOW values lifelong learning and recognizes various types of prior learning, regardless of how or where it was obtained. For more information, refer to UOW's Credit for Prior Learning page.

More detail

International Course fees table
Campus Delivery method Session fee* Course fee*
WollongongOn Campus$16656 (2025)$133248 (2025)
WollongongDistanceFee not available (2024)Fee not available (2024)
WollongongDistanceFee not available (2025)Fee not available (2025)

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression. These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

Tuition fees are reviewing annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, there are other fees and costs you will need to consider, including but not limited to:

  • Autumn, 2025 at Wollongong

    On Campus delivery

    Orientation: 24 - 27 February 2025
    Session: 03 March - 27 June 2025

    Applications Close

    • Domestic Applicants (UAC): 30 September 2024 (early bird), 30 January 2025 (final) (see UAC Key Dates).
    • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 31 December 2024*
    • International Applicants: 9 December 2024*

    *Applications must be complete with all required documentation.

    Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible.

    Indicative enrolment

    The number of students in 2023 for the Bachelor of Education - The Early Years, including Honours was 266. This indicates the likely size of this group of students (in these similar courses) in 2024.

    Student profile

    This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.

    Student profile table
    Applicant background 2023 intake 2023 intake (%)
    Higher education study 83 31%
    Vocational education & training study 170 64%
    Work & life experience <5 <5
    Recent secondary education
    ATAR Only 0 0%
    ATAR plus additional criteria 0 0%
    Other criteria only (non-ATAR) 10 4%
    International students <5 <5
    All students 266 100%

    < 5: Number of students is less than 5
    N/A: Data not available for this item
    N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)

    ATAR profile

    This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ATAR-based admission.

    ATAR profile table
    ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023 ATAR Selection Rank
    Highest rank to receive an offer 77.6 82.59
    Median rank to receive an offer 71.67 76.17
    Lowest rank to receive an offer 66.1 71.09

    < 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
    N/A: Data not available for this item
    N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

    More information

    For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.