Pathways to teaching

The Bachelor of Education – The Early Years is accredited by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), qualifying you to teach in Early Years education centres and to work with children ages 0-5. This degree can be studied on-campus in Wollongong or via flexible delivery, which involves online study with some block delivery classes on campus. 

There are a range of degree pathways that will qualify you as a primary teacher, each with their own unique approaches to learning, entry requirements, and course duration. For example, the Bachelor of Primary Education will allow you to qualify within 4 years, whereas a bachelor degree combined with a Master of Teaching will allow you to deepen your skills and knowledge in key learning areas prior to adding an accredited professional teaching qualification to your portfolio of skills. 

• Bachelor of Primary Education. In this 4-year program, you will study foundational subjects that cover literacy, numeracy, science and technology, and other key learning areas in the primary curriculum. From your second year, you will commence education teaching subjects and undertake professional experience in schools.  
• Complete an Integrated Master’s degree by combining the Bachelor of Primary Education with the Master of Autism. Meet the growing demand for educators who can develop and implement strategies that support neurodivergent learners in meeting their individual goals by promoting inclusive educational practices. Upon completion of your undergraduate degree, you will be able to commence your studies in the Master of Autism with the added advantage of having locked in the fee price from the year you commenced your bachelor degree. 
• Complete a Pathway to Teaching program by combining a Bachelor of Social Science or a Bachelor of Psychological Science with a Master of Teaching (Primary). These two degrees offer a Foundations in Teaching minor which, when successfully completed along with your undergraduate degree, reduces your study load and overall cost when you go on to complete your Master of Teaching. This minor allows you access to some Master of Teaching subjects whilst completing your undergraduate degree. 
  Priority access to the Master of Teaching will also be granted to those who complete their degree with a Weighted Average Mark of 65 and above. 
• Complete a bachelor degree of your choosing followed by the Master of Teaching (Primary). Your undergraduate degree will need to cover at least 8 subjects relevant to one or more of the Key Learning Areas (KLAs) in the primary school curriculum. Please see Master of Teaching for further information. 

Secondary teachers are qualified to work with students in years 7-12 and are trained to teach specific subjects within the high school curriculum. UOW offers several specialised 4-year bachelor degrees, as well as the option to complete a relevant bachelor degree followed by the Master of Teaching (Secondary). 

• Bachelor of Health and Physical Education. You will study health and physical education subjects including movement skills, games and sports, rhythmic movement, mental health and sexuality, relationships, drug and personal safety, curriculum and pedagogy, anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, and educational foundations.  

• Bachelor of Science Education. Through this degree, you will be able to specialise in either Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Studies, or Physics. You will study a blend of science and education subjects, as well as practical placements commencing from your second year. 
• Bachelor of Mathematics Education. You will learn advanced mathematics and education subjects, and how to practically apply these skills in the classroom and the real world. 
• Complete a bachelor degree followed by a Master of Teaching (Secondary). In your bachelor degree, it is important that you study subjects related to the area that you wish to teach in. For example, a major in English Literatures will help you meet the requirements for English as your teaching method within the Master of Teaching. Please see Master of Teaching for information about UOW’s available teaching methods and entry requirements. 

Entry requirements can be found on the Course Finder page for the degrees linked on this page. For Integrated Master’s degree offerings, admission requirements are the same as the corresponding bachelor degree.  

If you do not meet the requirements for direct admission to your preferred degree, UOW College offers diplomas and alternative admission programs that allow guaranteed* progression into the first or second year of their associated bachelor degrees. No matter where you are on your education journey, there is a pathway to help you achieve your educational and career goals. 

If you are unsure which degree or UOW College pathway best suits you, please reach out to our Future Student Advisors for assistance.  

*Subject to meeting minimum performance requirements for progression into your degree. 

If you are a high school leaver (i.e., in your final year of high school) you must apply through the University Admissions Centre (UAC). Non-school leavers can apply via UAC, or directly to UOW for a selection of courses – please see the below table for application advice.