Bachelor of Education (Primary) / Bachelor of Behavioural Science

School of Education

Are you passionate about teaching children and fostering an enthusiasm for lifelong learning? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Education (Primary) / Bachelor of Behavioural Science degree is ideal for you. The five-year double degree has flexible full-time or part-time study options available. It will prepare you to teach primary-aged children in Australian Catholic, Independent and Government Schools. This double degree is the ideal combination with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science. You will complete 32 weeks of essential practical experience in various educational and care settings. So get in contact with us today to start making a difference.

• Why study this degree?

  If you want to share your knowledge and shape the minds of primary-aged children or work with marginalised children or adults, the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Education (Primary)/Bachelor of Behavioural Science qualification is the perfect double degree. This nationally recognised five-year degree combines educational theory and classroom learning with an essential practical component.

  When you study at Notre Dame, you will be inspired by our innovative approach to teaching and learning with the latest in learning technologies. Our degree will provide the academic skills you need to support, engage, and extend primary-aged children by integrating theory and practice.

  You will choose one specialist subject area for your education degree. Follow your passion and choose from Science, HASS, Special Needs, Drama, Service Learning and Social Justice, Mathematics, and English.

  When you study the Bachelor of Behavioural Science component, you study critical psychology, political science, cultural studies, and sociology. Behavioural sciences forge connections between traditional psychology and social work while promoting respect for social and cultural diversity.

  You will complete 32 weeks of school-based professional teaching practice as an integral part of your degree. You will experience total immersion in a classroom environment and gain valuable insights into your chosen career. Get in touch today to find out more. Please note: Education students in WA must sit the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). The test is administered externally by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). You must register and pay for the test.

• Program summary

  Courses	Units of Credit
  Core Curriculum courses	75
  Education compulsory courses	690
  Behavioural Science compulsory courses	300
  Total units of credit in the double degree	1065

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  See Bachelor of Behavioural Science Regulations for details about Behavioural Science Majors and courses.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  Please note: The availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  Entry requirements WA

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

  OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

  OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

  *Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

  OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section*.

  OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

  *STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

  Discipline Specific requirements

  • Applicants to all initial teacher education programs must complete a statement of purpose. This assesses non-academic capabilities important for success in the teaching profession. Assessment of non-academic capabilities for entry into teacher education is a national requirement.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Education (Primary) graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the required knowledge of curriculum as prescribed in the WA Syllabus documents and the Australian Curriculum
  2. Employ effective practices for planning and implementing teaching and learning engagements for children of diverse backgrounds and abilities, and based on sound understandings of pedagogy that draw on research and theory
  3. Demonstrate learning gained from applying on-campus studies of research-based theory in multiple, varied and extended Professional Experience opportunities with accomplished teachers in a mentoring context in classrooms and schools
  4. Have established relevant and current understandings of child development for the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and cultural domains that will enable accurate and useful planning, programming and assessment of learning and for learning
  5. Utilise skills for engaging appropriately and effectively with parents and caregivers, as well as stakeholder professionals and external organisations, through the acquisition of a wide and varied repertoire of assessment, evaluation, reporting and communication strategies
  6. Exemplify dispositions of critical reflection for the continual improvement of teaching, commitment to on-going learning to maintain and improve knowledge and skills, effective collaboration to engage with professional colleagues within and beyond the school, and mindfulness of all aspects of children’s achievement and wellbeing within schools and school systems

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science graduates will be able to:

  1. Identify and evaluate evidence-based resources and information
  2. Differentiate between individual, group/organisational, and societal level factors that influence human behaviour
  3. Analyse the complex nature of these influences to promote social and emotional wellbeing
  4. Analyse the socially constructed nature of knowledge, culture, and values and the role these factors play in shaping society
  5. Relate appropriate theoretical frameworks and models to specific social issues to achieve transformative practice
  6. Communicate arguments and/or ideas in a range of forms and forums
  7. Work independently and in collaboration with others
  8. Engage in critical reflexivity as a mechanism for understanding oneself in relation to society; and
  9. Promote social justice as empowerment and liberation through respect for cultural diversity and reflexive ethical practice.

• Practical component

  Students in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) are required to complete a minimum of 32 weeks of practicum that is comprised of:

  • EDUC1391 Professional Experience 1 Primary (2 continuous weeks in duration – 80 hours)
  • EDUC2394 Professional Experience 2 Primary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hours)
  • EDUC3394 Professional Experience 3 Primary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hours)
  • EDUC4391 Professional Experience 4 Primary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hours)

  Students are required to provide relevant clearance documents as directed by the School of Education.

• Career opportunities

  Teachers graduating with a Bachelor of Education (Primary)/Bachelor of Behavioural Science degree will be able to work in Australia as primary school teachers in Catholic, independent and government schools. While the Bachelor of Behavioural Science component prepares you for a wide range of careers, including youth work, advertising, marketing, policy and research, consumer research, industrial relations, human resources, program coordination and welfare.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Professional accreditation

  The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is accredited by the national body the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) via the agency of the Teachers Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).

• Opportunities and experiences

  At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education. We offer various opportunities for students to study abroad and become active global citizens. These opportunities include exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• Student profile data

  ATAR and selection rank profile

  The University of Notre Dame Australia offers clear and transparent information regarding ATAR and selection rank for domestic students beginning in Semester 1. This data includes the highest, median and lowest ranks required for admission to assist you in making informed study decisions.

  Explore our detailed overview of ATAR offers and student profiles to find the ideal degree that matches your interests and aspirations.

  View our ATAR and selection rank profile data.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session.

  Phone: 1800 878 916
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome International Office
  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne International Office
  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007