Bachelor of Early Childhood (BECH) - BECh
QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 908151; External: 908155; Springfield campus: 928151
CRICOS code (International applicants): 056707B
On-campus | External | |
Start: | Semester 1 (February) Semester 2 (July) | Semester 1 (February) Semester 2 (July) |
Campus: | Springfield, Toowoomba | - |
Fees: | Commonwealth supported place Domestic full fee paying place International full fee paying place | Commonwealth supported place Domestic full fee paying place International full fee paying place |
Standard duration: | 3 years full-time, 7 years part-time | |
Program articulation: |
Contact us
Future Australian and New Zealand students | Future International students | Current students |
Ask a question Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500 Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315 Email: study@usq.edu.au |
Ask a question Phone: +61 7 4631 5543 Email: international@usq.edu.au |
Ask a question Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252 Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 2285 Email usq.support@usq.edu.au |
Professional accreditation
Graduates from the Bachelor of Early Childhood will have met the requirements of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and can apply for recognition of being an Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) in prior to school settings. Students outside of Australia should check with their relevant authority regarding accreditation requirements. Please note, students graduating from this program, in Queensland, are not eligible for teacher registration with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT).
Program objectives
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Early Childhood program, students will be able to:
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Apply understandings related to children's learning and their development as unique, capable and competent citizens with rights and responsibilities
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Explain and use broad theoretical and contemporary frameworks of curricula and learning frameworks
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Implement appropriate pedagogies, principles and practices across birth to eight years
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Explain and implement ethically and socially responsible practices and behaviours aligned with the rights of the child, and administrative, legislative and regulatory requirements
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Use active inquiry to investigate and respond to the capabilities, strengths, interests and needs of children and their families and communities from an ecological perspective and using professional judgement
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Research and advocate for key issues of focus around child and family guided by an autonomous commitment to improving professional knowledge and practice
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Apply effective communication strategies to establish, engage with, and nurture strong collaborative communities of practice so as to effectively and sensitively support and respond to families and children from diverse contexts and backgrounds .
Australian Qualifications Framework
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.
This program is at AQF Qualification Level 07. Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning.
The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting www.aqf.edu.au.
Program Information Set
View USQ’s admission criteria, student profiles and a summary of all offers made under Course Admission Information Set via the QTAC website.
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- Have achieved a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 62.7, or equivalent qualification.^
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English (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent
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One of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent
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Science subject (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent.
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English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 5. All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements.
^ |
These are determined by the University for specific programs each Semester. The 2021 ATAR and tertiary entrance ranks are based on agreed QTAC schedules which assess formal study at Year 12 or equivalent level, tertiary, preparatory, professional or vocational qualifications or work experience, as detailed in the QTAC Assessment of Qualifications Manual and QTAC Assessor Guidelines. Adjustment factors may help you get into the program of your choice by increasing your entrance rank. The additional points don't apply to all applicants or all programs. Please read the information about USQ's Adjustment Factors carefully to find out what you may be eligible for. |
Program fees
Commonwealth supported place
A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.
Domestic full fee paying place
Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.
Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for FEE-Help.
International full fee paying place
International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Program structure
The Bachelor of Early Childhood program is comprised of 24 units at undergraduate level (AQF Level 7) as follows:
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23 Core courses; and
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one Primary curriculum specialisation course (Electives/Approved courses).
Program completion requirements
Within the 24 units required to complete this program, there also is a strict professional experience requirement as follows:
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80 days supervised placement.
Please refer to Professional Experience for further information.
Required time limits
The standard duration for completion of this program is three years full-time or seven years part-time. Students have a maximum of seven years to complete this program.
Core courses
Electives/Approved courses
As detailed in the Program structure section of this Handbook, students are required to select one Primary specialisation course from the table below.
Course | Semester of offer External/Online | Semester of offer Toowoomba Campus | Semester of offer Springfield Campus |
Choose one Primary curriculum specialisation course: | |||
EDO3472 Children's Literature | 1 | ||
EPM3200 Teaching Mathematics to Children with Diverse Needs | 1 | ||
EPS2002 Making and Responding Through the Arts | 2 | ||
EPS2004 Movement and Health | 2 | ||
EPS2005 Linking Through Languages | 2 | ||
EPS2006 Investigating in Science | 2 | ||
EPS2007 Children's Literature and Language | 2 | ||
EPS2008 Developing Mathematical Knowledge for Innovative Teaching | 2 | ||
EPS2009 Integrating the Humanities and Social Sciences Across the Curriculum | 2 |
Professional experience
Within the 24 units required to complete this program, there also is a strict Professional Experience requirement as follows:
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80 days supervised placement.
Students can only undertake a maximum of one course with a professional experience component in the one semester.
Of the required supervised professional experience, all students, domestic and international, must complete a minimum of 50% of the supervised placement in Australia.
Students must also hold a valid Blue Card within Queensland or hold a valid Working with Children Check as well as having completed any further training/certificates relevant to the state where they are completing their Professional experience.
For further information regarding professional experience and education placements, please visit the USQ website.
IT requirements
For information technology requirements, please refer to the minimum computing standards.
Other program requirements
Students must maintain good standing in this program. Please refer to the Academic Standing, Progression and Exclusion Procedure.
Students must also hold a valid Blue Card within Queensland or hold a valid Working with Children Check as well as having completed any further training/certificates relevant to the state where they are completing their Professional experience.
Articulation
Students who complete this program may articulate to the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).
From 1 January 2018, all applicants for initial teacher education programs nationally, including USQ's Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) , must meet both academic and non-academic entry criteria, detailed in theadmission requirements for the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) .
Exit points
This program contains provision for two generic exit awards, as follows:
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Associate Degree in Education Studies (DAES) - available at the completion of 16 approved courses, 8 of which must be education courses; and
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Diploma of Education Studies (DPES) - available at the completion of 8 education courses.
Credit
Candidates eligible for admission into this program may be eligible for up to 16 units of credit on the basis of successful completion of relevant, equivalent undergraduate level study completed at a recognised university or institution.
Credit approved in this program will not automatically apply to other USQ programs. Claims for credit should be submitted prior to or at the time of enrolment. Each claim will be assessed on individual merit in line with the Credit and Exemptions Procedure.
For instructions on applying for credit, please visit our website.
Recommended enrolment pattern
Early Childhood
Students are able to enrol in any offered mode of a course (on-campus, external or online), regardless of the program mode of study they enrolled in.
Before enrolling, BECH students who began their programs prior to 2018 should review their enrolment pattern by using the relevant program transition links in the My Initial Teacher Education (MyITE) site.
Students are strongly encouraged to follow the recommended enrolment pattern for their program. This is particularly important in respect to Professional Experience. Delaying Professional Experience may delay program completion by up to three (3) years.
Course | Year of program and semester in which course is normally studied | Enrolment requirements | Comments | |||||
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On-campus (ONC) | External (EXT) | Online (ONL) | ||||||
Year | Sem | Year | Sem | Year | Sem | |||
EDC1000 Introduction to the Profession | 1 | 1, 2 | 1 | 1 | BECH or BEED students only: Enrolment is not permitted in EDC1000 if EHF1100 has been previously completed. BPED students only: Enrolment is not permitted in EDC1000 if EPP1100 has previously been completed. | |||
ECL1100 Language Development and Early Literacy Learning | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,3 | Enrolment is not permitted in ECL1100 if EDX3270 has been previously completed. | |||
ECM1100 Early Mathematical Thinking | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,3 | Enrolment is not permitted in ECM1100 if EDX3280 has been previously completed. | |||
ECF1100 Foundations of Early Childhood | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1,2 | Enrolment is not permitted in ECF1100 if EDC1400 has been previously completed. | |||
EDC1001 Understanding Learner Development | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2,3 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in: BECH or BEED or BPED or BSED or BGEN. BECH/BEED/BPED only: Enrolment is not permitted if EDC1100 has previously been completed. BSED only: Enrolment is not permitted if ESD1100 has previously been completed. | |||
EDC2200 First Nations Education | 1 | 1,2 | 1 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: UCTE or UCTP or UCTS or BEED or BSED or BEDU or BECH or BPED | |||
ECH1200 Early Years Health and Active Play | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BEED or BEDU (Early Childhood) or BECH. Enrolment is not permitted in ECH1200 if EDC1300 has been previously completed. | |||
EDE2010 Childhood, Play and Play-based Learning | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: EDC1400 or (ECF1100 and (EHF1100 or CMS1000 or EDC1200 or EDC1000)) Students must be enrolled in one of the following programs: BEDU (Early Childhood) or BECH or BEED | 20 day supervised Professional Experience | ||
EDE3103 Perspectives of Early Years Curriculum, Play and Pedagogy | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: EDE2010 and Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BEED or BEDU (Early Childhood) or BECH | 15 day supervised Professional Experience | ||
ECA2100 Early Childhood Creativity and the Arts | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: UCTE or BEED or BEDU (Early Childhood) or BECH Enrolment is not permitted in ECA2100 if EDC2300 has been previously completed | |||
EDE2201 Contexts for Learning and Development | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BEED or BEDU (Early Childhood) or BECH | |||
EDC2400 Educating Learners with Special Needs Across Contexts | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1,3 | Successful completion of 8 courses is required before enrolment in EDC2400 | |||
EDX1000 Early Reading Instruction | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1,3 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in: BECH or BEED or BPED or BGEN. BECH or BEED only: Enrolment is not permitted if EDX1170 or EHE1100 has been previously completed. BPED only: Enrolment is not permitted if EHF1100 has previously been completed. | |||
ECF2200 Relating with Families | 2 | 2 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BEDU (Early Childhood) or BEED or BECH Enrolment is not permitted in ECF2200 if EDO2104 has been previously completed | |||||
ECP2200 Childhood Resilience and Wellbeing | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1,2 | Enrolment is not permitted in ECP2200 if EDE4010 has been previously completed | |||
ECP3200 Early Scientific Thinking and Inquiry | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: EDE3103 and Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BEDU (Early Childhood) or BEED or BECH Enrolment is not permitted in ECP3200 if EDX3160 has been previously completed | 15 day supervised Professional Experience | ||
EDE3009 Leadership and Professional Practices | 3 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BEED or BEDU (Early Childhood) or BECH | |||||
ECF3100 Contemporary Approaches to Infant and Toddler Curriculum and Pedagogy | 3 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BEDU (Early Childhood) or BEED or BECH Enrolment is not permitted in ECF3100 if EDE2101 has been previously completed | 15 day supervised Professional Experience | ||||
EHM1200 Mathematics in Early Primary | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1,2,3 | Students must be enrolled in: BEDU(EarlyChild, Prim, Prim+SpecEd, SpecEd, HPE Primary, SHPE Prim) or BEED or BPED or BECH Pre-req: BEDU(EarlyChild) or BEED Only - ECM1100 or EDX3280 Enrolment is not permitted if EDX1280 has been previously completed | |||
EDX1250 Arts Curriculum and Pedagogy 1: Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music and Visual Arts | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: UCTP or BEDU (Early Childhood) or BEDU (Primary) or BEDU (Primary + Special Ed) or BEDU (Special Ed) or BEDU (HPE Primary) or BEDU (SHPE Primary) or BECH or BGEN or BEED or BPED | |||
EDC2100 Supportive Learning Environments: Cultivating Effective Classrooms | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1,2 | Students must be enrolled in: BEDU (EarlyChild) or BEDU (Primary) or BEDU (Primary+Special Ed) or BEDU (Special Ed) or BEDU (HPE Primary) or BEDU (SHPE Primary) or BECH or MOLT (Primary) or BEED or BPED Co-requisite: BEDU (Primary) or BPED Only - EDP2111 | |||
Primary curriculum specialisation course | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | See Electives/Approved Courses | |||
ECL3100 Intercultural Communication in Early Learning Contexts | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2,3 | Enrolment is not permitted in ECL3100 if EDE4012 has been previously completed | |||
ECL2200 English Curriculum and Pedagogy in Early Primary 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1,2 | Pre-requisite: ECF3100 and Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BEDU (Early Childhood) or BECH or BEED Enrolment is not permitted in ECL2200 if EDX2170 has been previously completed | 15 day supervised Professional Experience |