The Bachelor of Education Studies, Bachelor of Arts requires four years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law.

This double degree is only available to transfer into after at least 72 units of study have been attempted (excluding topics for which a Withdraw, Not Fail (WN) has been recorded) in either the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7), Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling), Bachelor of Arts; or Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Arts;

Students who complete this degree will NOT meet the professional experience requirements to qualify for registration with the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia.

Students in the Bachelor of Education double degree programs listed above are reminded that they may choose to exit with either a Bachelor of Education Studies or Bachelor of Arts after 108 units (three years of full-time study or the equivalent part-time), if the units required for the specified degree have been completed.

Course aims

The course aims to produce graduates who:

  • have the cognitive skills to critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge;
  • are able to apply their knowledge creatively and skilfully in a variety of settings;
  • are able to communicate effectively;
  • are able to work both independently and collaboratively;
  • have the capacity to undertake ongoing study through a variety of pathways;
  • have developed knowledge and skills in at least two school curriculum learning areas;
  • have the skills to connect across geographical, disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries;
  • have an understanding of the value of ethical behaviour.

Learning outcomes 

At the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Arts;
  • apply educational theory, knowledge and understanding to make informed professional judgements in diverse educational situations;
  • communicate effectively with a variety of audiences for a range of purposes about matters relevant to the education of children and young people;
  • demonstrate the knowledge and skills that provide a foundation for being able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve high quality, equitable outcomes for young people and the wider community;
  • acquire a knowledge and understanding of the content, context and processes of learning and teaching;
  • use a wide range of literacies with confidence and competence;
  • develop the metacognitive skills to engage critically in the complex thinking required in learning and teaching;
  • establish a firm educational foundation for ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education Studies, Bachelor of Arts, a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, as follows:

  • 72 units of Education (EDUC) topics, comprising 9 units of first year topics and 63 units of upper level topics chosen from one of Option A, B, or C, as set out below:

Option A - Early Childhood

Year 1 topics

 EDUC1120  Teaching and Educational Contexts  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1221  Play, Learning and Development  (4.5 units)

Year 2 topics

 EDUC2321  The Expressive Arts in Early Childhood  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2420  Teaching Indigenous Australian Students  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2421  Literacy and Numeracy: Birth-4  (4.5 units)

Year 3 and 4 topics

 EDUC3521  Language, Literature and Literacies 4-8  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3522  Pedagogies of Belonging  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3618  Numeracy and Multiliteracies in Design and Technology  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3622  Thinking and Working Mathematically  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3623  Health and Physical Education in Early Childhood  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4722  Critical Pedagogies for a Changing World  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4723  Investigating Early Years Curriculum and Pedagogy  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4724  Thinking and Working Scientifically in the Early Years  (4.5 units)

Plus select 13.5 units from:

 EDUC4831  Exploring Literacies and Intercultural Contexts in Languages Pedagogy (Primary R-7)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4834  Planning for Contextual Teaching (Primary)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4835  Educating Gifted and Creative Learners  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4836  Partnerships, Parents and Participation  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4837  Researching with Young Children  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4840  Myth, Magic & Mystery: Psychological Insights into the World of the Child  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4841  Teaching and Living in Rural Communities  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4842  Promoting Positive Peer Relations & Wellbeing: Reducing bullying amongst children and young people  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4844  Leading Literacy Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4846  Holistic Teaching and Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4847  Positive Mental Health in School Communities  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4850  Special Interest in Education  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4850A  Special Interest in Education  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4881  Studies of Asia Across the Curriculum: An Introduction  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9701  Effective Use of ICT for Learning and Teaching  (4.5 units)
 HLPE3534  Introduction to Sport Coaching, Management and Administration  (4.5 units)
 VISA3404  Visual Thinking and Creativity  (4.5 units)

Option B - Primary R-7

Year 1 topics

 EDUC1120  Teaching and Educational Contexts  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1222  English Curriculum Studies 1  (4.5 units)

Year 2 topics

 EDUC2322  Learners and their Development (Primary)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2422  Mathematics Curriculum Studies  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2420  Teaching Indigenous Australian Students (4.5 units)

Year 3 and 4 topics

 EDUC3523  Expressive Arts Curriculum Studies: Visual Art, Drama, Media, Music and Dance  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3524  Health and Physical Education Curriculum Studies  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3620  Relationships for Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3624  Science and Design & Technology Curriculum Studies  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3625  Numeracy and ICT Across the Curriculum  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4721  Differentiation for Diverse Learners (Primary)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4725  English Curriculum Studies 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4726  Social Sciences Curriculum Studies: History and Geography  (4.5 units)

Plus select 13.5 units from:

 EDUC4831  Exploring Literacies and Intercultural Contexts in Languages Pedagogy (Primary R-7)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4834  Planning for Contextual Teaching (Primary)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4835  Educating Gifted and Creative Learners  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4836  Partnerships, Parents and Participation  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4837  Researching with Young Children  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4840  Myth, Magic & Mystery: Psychological Insights into the World of the Child  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4841  Teaching and Living in Rural Communities  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4842  Promoting Positive Peer Relations & Wellbeing: Reducing bullying amongst children and young people  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4844  Leading Literacy Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4846  Holistic Teaching and Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4847  Positive Mental Health in School Communities  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4850  Special Interest in Education  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4850A  Special Interest in Education  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4881  Studies of Asia Across the Curriculum: An Introduction  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9701  Effective Use of ICT for Learning and Teaching  (4.5 units)
 HLPE3534  Introduction to Sport Coaching, Management and Administration  (4.5 units)
 VISA3404  Visual Thinking and Creativity  (4.5 units)

Option C - Secondary

Year 1 topics

 EDUC1120  Teaching and Educational Contexts  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1223  Middle Schooling Philosophy and Pedagogy  (4.5 units)

Year 2 topics

 EDUC2320  Learners and their Development - Middle and Secondary Schooling  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2420  Teaching Indigenous Australian Students  (4.5 units)

Year 3 and 4 topics

 EDUC3526  Literacies Across the Curriculum in the Middle and Secondary Years  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3620  Relationships for Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3628  Numeracy and ICT Across the Middle and Secondary Curriculum  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4720  Differentiation for Diverse Learners (Middle and Secondary Schooling)  (4.5 units)

Plus 4.5 units from:

 EDUC3626  Contemporary Issues in Middle Schooling  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3627  Contemporary Issues in Secondary Schooling  (4.5 units)

Plus select 31.5 units from:

 EDUC4835  Educating Gifted and Creative Learners  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4836  Partnerships, Parents and Participation  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4837  Researching with Young Children  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4840  Myth, Magic & Mystery: Psychological Insights into the World of the Child  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4841  Teaching and Living in Rural Communities  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4842  Promoting Positive Peer Relations & Wellbeing: Reducing bullying amongst children and young people  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4844  Leading Literacy Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4846  Holistic Teaching and Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4847  Positive Mental Health in School Communities  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4850  Special Interest in Education  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4850A  Special Interest in Education  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4881  Studies of Asia Across the Curriculum: An Introduction  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9701  Effective Use of ICT for Learning and Teaching  (4.5 units)
 HLPE3534  Introduction to Sport Coaching, Management and Administration  (4.5 units)
 VISA3404  Visual Thinking and Creativity  (4.5 units)

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same EDUC topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

  • 72 units for the Bachelor of Arts component including:
  • 36 units of one BA major sequence, chosen from the list below;
  • 22.5 units of one BA minor sequence, chosen from the list below;
  • 13.5 units of BA electives, comprising 9 units of first year topics and 4.5 units of upper level topics, chosen from any of the BA majors/minors provided prerequisites are met.

 The following majors or minors can be studied within the Bachelor of Arts component of the double degree: 

#Chinese, German and Japanese are available cross-institutionally at the University of Adelaide. Please refer to http://hss.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/undergrad/majorsminors/