Pathways to the Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education
Before exploring your pathways to study, please select the kind of applicant you are via the tabs below. If you have graduated from Year 12 in the last two years, you are considered a recent Year 12 student. If you're unsure, learn more about your applicant type.
I'm a current or recent Year 12 student
The ATAR for the Early Childhood and Primary Education is not published, so the best way to determine your eligibility is to carefully check the entry requirements on the course page. If you meet each of the entry requirements, you can confidently start preparing your application. If you don't quite meet the requirements, you can still achieve your study goals by following an alternate pathway:
Transfer from a related Deakin course or study an associate degree
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
Based on last year's rankings, you meet the ATAR requirements for this course. Your next step is to visit the course page to check you meet any additional entry requirements. Then, you can confidently begin your application.
If you don't meet the additional entry requirements, there are still ways to achieve a place on your dream course by following an alternate pathway:
Transfer from a related Deakin course or study an associate degree
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
ATAR: Eligible ATAR is based on 2024 early and first round VTAC offers, including relevant adjustment factors. ATAR requirements for 2025 are currently unknown. Please use past ATAR only for guidance, as ATAR is subject to increase or decrease.
N/A: Course is not available at this location.
NP: Course is available at this location, but the ATAR is not published.
RC: Admission to this course is based on a range of criteria.
I'm not a current or recent Year 12 student
If you meet one of the minimum course entry requirements below, you can start your application right away. You'll need to complete a Casper test to demonstrate your suitability for a career in teaching. There may also be additional course requirements, including English language criteria, so be sure to check the eligibility criteria on the course page before applying. If you don't meet the requirements, you could still achieve your study goals by following an alternate pathway or browsing similar courses.
Your pathway into an early childhood career
Deakin is excited to launch the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, a new 3-year degree focused on early years education. Learn how this course equips you with the skills and experience you need to thrive in the early childhood sector.
Alternate pathways to the Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education
Transfer from a related Deakin course or study an associate degree
Gain valuable skills and knowledge to unlock your study options. With this pathway, you can start studying in a related Deakin course, before applying to transfer once you've achieved the requirements for your preferred degree. Course transfers are subject to availability and meeting the required course transfer guidelines for the degree. In some circumstances, a course transfer may require you to change your campus of study. To ensure you get on the right study path, it's a good idea to speak with a student adviser first and discuss your options. The following degree is a recommended pathway to this course:
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Deakin's associate degrees help set you up for success at university and are the ideal pathway for students who:
- Did not meet entry requirements for this course
- Recent Year 12 students with an ATAR below 50
- Recent Year 12 students with no ATAR (also known as unscored VCE)
- Recent Year 12 students who have not met the minimum English Language requirement
- Recent VCE Vocational Major (VM) students with no ATAR and/or have not met the minimum English Language requirement
- Applicants re-entering education after a break from school
Following successful completion of your associate degree, you will receive credit for some of the units you have already studied as part of your pathway course. The following courses are available at Deakin as a pathway for this course:
All applicants must complete a Casper Test, an additional selection tool for non-academic attributes prior to entry into the Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education.
Qualification from a Deakin partner
Our TAFE partners are a great stepping stone to study at Deakin University.
Many students who have completed a diploma or advanced diploma will be eligible for recognition for their study. Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at Deakin University.
Guaranteed RPL
Students who have successfully completed CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8cp* of guaranteed RPL.
* cp = credit point
- Bendigo TAFE
- Box Hill Institute
- Chisholm Institute
- Kangan Institute
- TAFE NSW
- South West TAFE
- The Gordon
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing the qualifications below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation. Deakin will also consider additional criteria, such as the completion of a selection tool for non-academic attributes (Casper Test), or evidence of literacy and numeracy competencies.
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing the qualifications below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation. Deakin will also consider additional criteria, such as the completion of a selection tool for non-academic attributes (Casper Test), or evidence of literacy and numeracy competencies.
Guaranteed RPL
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - 8cp* RPL
*cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing the qualifications below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation. Deakin will also consider additional criteria, such as the completion of a selection tool for non-academic attributes (Casper Test), or evidence of literacy and numeracy competencies.
Guaranteed RPL
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing the qualifications below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation. Deakin will also consider additional criteria, such as the completion of a selection tool for non-academic attributes (Casper Test), or evidence of literacy and numeracy competencies.
Guaranteed RPL
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing the qualifications below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation. Deakin will also consider additional criteria, such as the completion of a selection tool for non-academic attributes (Casper Test), or evidence of literacy and numeracy competencies.
Guaranteed RPL
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing the qualifications below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation. Deakin will also consider additional criteria, such as the completion of a selection tool for non-academic attributes (Casper Test), or evidence of literacy and numeracy competencies.
Guaranteed RPL
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Successfully completing the qualifications below will support your Deakin application, but won't guarantee entry. You should boost your application with details of your study results, your resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation. Deakin will also consider additional criteria, such as the completion of a selection tool for non-academic attributes (Casper Test), or evidence of literacy and numeracy competencies.
Guaranteed RPL
Eligible diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Qualification from other TAFEs and RTOs
If you are unable to study at a Deakin partner TAFE, you can choose to undertake similar study at another TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Applications from these institutions do not guarantee entry to Deakin, so be sure to boost your application with your study results, a resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Many students who have completed a diploma or advanced diploma will be eligible for recognition for their study. Find out more about recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Deakin University. For more information about non Deakin partner TAFEs and RTOs, visit myskills.gov.au.
Guaranteed RPL
Students who have successfully completed CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8cp of guaranteed RPL.
* cp = credit point