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Bachelor of Secondary Education (English)

Be equipped to successfully manage classroom dynamics. Gain practical experience. Inspire a love of learning in students.

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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 ?
73
IBAS ?
27.25
Delivery ?
On Campus
Duration
4 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Starts
  • Autumn 2025
  • Autumn 2026
Code
UOW: 3233

Overview

The Bachelor of Secondary Education is a four-year degree that allows students to become high school teachers in their chosen discipline. The degree prepares students for the schools and classrooms of today by developing deep content and pedagogical knowledge - that is, what to teach and how to teach it - within a globalised society.

Students study subjects aligned with their major discipline while also developing key professional knowledge about how the brain works, psychology and adolescent development, classroom management and relationships, Aboriginal education, inclusion, special education, technology, and pedagogy.

See the course handbook for more information.

This degree is underpinned by quality professional experience placements in schools and other educational settings where students work with classroom practitioners to combine theory and practice. Most majors within the Bachelor of Secondary Education can be undertaken with an approved minor in order to pursue eligibility for a NESA second teaching area.

You can specialise in a major by choosing from the following: 

Major 

Campus Availability 

Biology 

Wollongong (On Campus) 

Chemistry 

Wollongong (On Campus) 

*English

Wollongong (On Campus) 

Earth and Environmental Science 

Wollongong (On Campus) 

Health and Physical Education 

Wollongong (On Campus) 

Mathematics 

Wollongong (On Campus) 

*Modern History

Wollongong (On Campus) 

Physics 

Wollongong (On Campus) 

*Please note: The English and Modern History majors will be available for enrolment commencing in 2026.

See more

English (major)

Throughout this major you will study core subjects in literature and film alongside subjects that explore critical thought and textual analysis, while also gaining key professional knowledge about how the brain works, psychology and adolescent development, classroom management and relationships, Aboriginal education, inclusion, special education, technology, and pedagogy (that is, what to teach and how to teach it). 

This major makes up your core teaching area in the Bachelor of Secondary Education. There is also an opportunity for you to pursue a second teaching area (also called a minor) in either Aboriginal Studies, Geography, Mathematics or Modern History. Science minors cannot be completed alongside the English major. 

UOW has strong community ties with schools and an extensive professional experience program. During your studies you will have opportunities for rural and international placement experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs. 

Accreditation & professional recognition

This degree is accredited and recognised as a national professional teaching qualification. Students seeking work outside NSW or Australia are advised to check with potential employers and other teacher registration authorities for any additional requirements.

The University of Wollongong is committed to supporting students to meet the accreditation requirements to teach in Catholic Diocesan schools. Please contact your Academic Program Director for more information.

Admissions information

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. 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.

Assumed Knowledge
UOW assumes students will have studied any two units of English.

Recommended Studies
Ideally, students will have studied English Advanced.

Compulsory Work Based Placement
This course requires a total of 560 hours of compulsory placements over 16 weeks (at 35 hours per week). Each student must complete placements in at least two different schools.

More detail

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available. For eligible domestic students, Australian government funding will contribute towards your tuition fees. The remaining proportion, known as a student contribution, will depend on when you begin study (enrolment year) and study area. Read more domestic student fees and CSPs.