Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) - Diploma to Teaching Pathway

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) – Diploma to Teaching Pathway is Western’s scholarship program for diploma qualified early childhood educators. It's your pathway to becoming a university qualified early childhood education teacher in two years. The program provides financial, academic and personal support to help you succeed at university.

To be eligible for our scholarship program you must have these:

Pre-requisites

• Be a New South Wales resident;
• Hold an approved Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121 or equivalent);
• Have a minimum of two years’ full time work experience (or equivalent), since completing your diploma, in an early childhood setting.

And also;

• Complete the scholarship application form
• Be commencing in our Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) in Session 1 (Autumn) 2026.
• Study in a Commonwealth Supported Place.
• Statement of Service/Letter of Employment from your employer/s to validate two years’ post Diploma full-time work experience (or part-time equivalent) in an early childhood education and care setting.
• Submit a letter of support from your service (if currently employed).

NB: Priority will be given to students living and working in low SES areas of NSW, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, students from culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds, and students in regional, rural, and remote areas.

Yes, to be eligible you must be a resident in New South Wales.

• Step 1: Please complete an Expression of Interest Form
  
  
• Step 2: You will be contacted with more information about the next steps for applying to become an Early Childhood Teacher.
  
  
• Step 3: Apply for the 1926 Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) through the Western Portal.

If you are successful in receiving the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) – Diploma to Teaching scholarship, you will be awarded up to $6,000 of financial support. This will be paid in six instalments over the two years of study.

Payments will be made after census date each session.

Yes, you will be required to complete placements for the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). The 60-day practical component of the degree is an ACECQA accreditation program requirement. The placement days are completed across the degree as a combination of in-workplace and out-of-workplace experiences.

If you have an approved Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121 or equivalent) and have two years full time experience at the Diploma level, you'll be granted credit of 120 points (12 subjects) in recognition of prior study and experience. This means you'll have only two years of remaining study.

Over your degree, you will be expected to study 18 subjects. You will study 3 subjects in each Autumn, Spring and Summer semesters.

PLUS a 20-credit point portfolio and mentoring program, completed over the two years of your degree – you will graduate ready to teach with your portfolio ready to present at your Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA). 

Yes, we have designed the program so you can work part-time whilst studying.

This degree will be delivered both on campus and online across three semesters per year, and will contain a blend of recorded lectures, online activities and classes, and practical placements within your employer’s network or in your local area.

Most activities can be completed outside of work hours at the time that best suits you. However, there will be some classes that will require attendance (either on campus or online) at set times.  

No. This is an accelerated degree designed to be completed in two years, and subjects must be taken in the order specified in the academic handbook.

You will complete three subjects per session, each subject requires around 10 hours per study (including readings, online activities and tutorials). This equates to approximately 30 hours of study in total per week.

You’ll be matched with an experienced industry mentor who will support and guide you throughout your two years of study, providing valuable insights along the way. Your mentor will support you as you develop your philosophy of learning and teaching and portfolio.

This degree is offered as a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), meaning that a large percentage of your tuition fees are subsidised by the Commonwealth.

Tuition fees are charged each session based on how many subjects you are enrolled in for that given session.

The student contribution amount can be deferred via a HECS-HELP loan or can be paid upfront.

Student contribution amounts are subject to change from year to year, so an exact total cost cannot be provided. Detailed fees information can be found on the webpage.