Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant field other than education, the Master of Teaching Birth to Five Years will enable you to become an accredited early childhood teacher in two years. You will help children nurture strong learning foundations, self-confidence and inclusivity through play and creative learning techniques. Gain practical skills to deliver age-appropriate literacy, music and mathematics lesson plans in a creative and engaging way.
Study either online or on campus, part-time or full-time, with additional flexibility to switch between study modes. On graduating, you'll be eligible to register as a teacher in the early childhood and care sector in all states of Australia.
This course will develop your awareness of the environmental and cultural influences on teaching and learning and explores the needs of learners and communities with diverse linguistic and cultural orientations, including Indigenous learners.
Apply your learning with 60 days of professional experience in prior to school and early childhood and care settings.
Relevant fields of previous study include art, music, technologies, English, health and physical education, mathematics, science or humanities and social sciences (e.g. history and geography).
Career opportunities
This qualification prepares you for Early Childhood Teaching in prior to school settings (early learning centres, long day care, family day care, preschools).
Practical experience
Students will complete a minimum of 60 days professional experience.
Professional recognition
This program is approved with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). On graduating, you will be recognised as an Early Childhood Teacher by ACECQA.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $29,784.00. This equates to $ $3,723.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study education at CDU?
Gain advanced knowledge in the education field with a postgraduate teaching degree at CDU. Choose from a range of specialist contemporary streams such as Digital Learning futures, Inclusive Education, Indigenous Knowledgee Education, International Education, Managing and Leading Education, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
Why study education at CDU?
Educate and inspire the next generation with a teaching degree at CDU. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to enter the classroom with confidence, equipped with a nationally-accredited degree to work anywhere in Australia.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Complete placements close to home
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
Why study education at CDU?
Gain advanced knowledge in the education field with a postgraduate teaching degree at CDU. Choose from a range of specialist contemporary streams such as Digital Learning futures, Inclusive Education, Indigenous Knowledgee Education, International Education, Managing and Leading Education, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
Why study education at CDU?
Educate and inspire the next generation with a teaching degree at CDU. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to enter the classroom with confidence, equipped with a nationally-accredited degree to work anywhere in Australia.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Complete placements close to home
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
What will I study?
You will study a range of units, including professional experience in a range of schools and early learning settings. The units are designed to develop skills, strategies and dispositions for facilitating positive development and learning in the children you will teach. Necessary skills and understandings for a range of early childhood roles and capacities such as building family and community partnerships, leadership, advocacy and quality improvement systems are developed across the course.
Course structure
You can study the Master of Teaching Birth to Five Years online as an external student, on campus as an internal student, or as a mix of both. All students access learning materials online and are encouraged to interact in a range of modes to develop professional dialogue and networks.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
NOTE:
This course has a requirement of 60 days of Professional experience.
Professional experience units MUST be undertaken in the following sequences: EPE500, EPE502
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (16 units) | 160cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 160 credit points as per the list of units detailed below: ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood EST221 Health, Environment and Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education ECE501 Human Development and Play Pedagogies ECE503 Curriculum Studies and Programming ECE512 Assessment for Learning and Curricula ECL516 Early Years Literacy and English ECL523 Mathematics with Young Children EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education EPE500 Professional Experience: Pedagogical Leadership (30 days) EPE502 Early Childhood Professional Experience 2 (30 days) EST500 Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Advocacy EST505 Indigenous Perspectives and Inclusive Practices EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership EST520 Teacher Professional Identities SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People |
| 160cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | P = Professional Experience |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester/Intensive 6 | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood | CO | EST221 Health, Environment and Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education | CO | EPE500 Professional Experience: Pedagogical Leadership (Int-6) | CO/P |
| ECE501 Human Development and Play Pedagogies | CO | ECL516 Early Years Literacy and English | CO | ||
| ECE503 Curriculum Studies and Programming | CO | ECL523 Mathematics with Young Children | CO | ||
| EST500 Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Advocacy | CO | EST505 Indigenous Perspectives and Inclusive Practices | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||||
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | ECE512 Assessment for Learning and Curricula | CO | ||
| EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership | CO | EPE502 Early Childhood Professional Experience 2 | CO/P | ||
| SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families | CO | EST520 Teacher Professional Identities | CO | ||
| SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People | CO | ||||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | P = Professional Experience |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester/Intensive 6 | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| ECE501 Human Development and Play Pedagogies | CO | EST221 Health, Environment and Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education | CO | ||
| EST500 Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Advocacy | CO | ECL516 Early Years Literacy and English | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||||
| ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood | CO | ECL523 Mathematics with Young Children | CO | EPE500 Professional Experience: Pedagogical Leadership (Int-6) | CO/P |
| ECE503 Curriculum Studies and Programming | CO | EST505 Indigenous Perspectives and Inclusive Practices | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families | CO | ECE512 Assessment for Learning and Curricula | CO | ||
| SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People | CO | EST520 Teacher Professional Identities | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||||
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | EPE502 Early Childhood Professional Experience 2 | CO/P | ||
| EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership | CO | ||||
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | P = Professional Experience |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester/Intensive 6 | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| EST221 Health, Environment and Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education | CO | EPE500 Professional Experience: Pedagogical Leadership (Int-6) | CO/P | ||
| ECE501 Human Development and Play Pedagogies | CO | ||||
| ECE503 Curriculum Studies and Programming | CO | ||||
| ECL516 Early Years Literacy and English | CO | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood | CO | ECE512 Assessment for Learning and Curricula | CO | ||
| EST500 Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Advocacy | CO | ECL523 Mathematics with Young Children | CO | ||
| EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership | CO | EST505 Indigenous Perspectives and Inclusive Practices | CO | ||
| SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People | CO | EST520 Teacher Professional Identities | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | ||||
| EPE502 Early Childhood Professional Experience 2 | CO/P | ||||
| SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families | CO | ||||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | P = Professional Experience |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester/Intensive 6 | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| ECE501 Human Development and Play Pedagogies | CO | ||||
| ECL516 Early Years Literacy and English | CO | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood | CO | EST221 Health, Environment and Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education | CO | EPE500 Professional Experience: Pedagogical Leadership (Int-6) | CO/P |
| EST500 Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Advocacy | CO | ECE503 Curriculum Studies and Programming | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership | CO | ECL523 Mathematics with Young Children | CO | ||
| SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People | CO | EST505 Indigenous Perspectives and Inclusive Practices | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||||
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | EST520 Teacher Professional Identities | CO | ||
| SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families | CO | ECE512 Assessment for Learning and Curricula | CO | ||
| Year 5 | |||||
| EPE502 Early Childhood Professional Experience 2 | CO/P | ||||
____________________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SUMMER SEMESTER
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | P = Professional Experience |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester/Intensive 6 | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| EST500 Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Advocacy | CO | ||||
| EST505 Indigenous Perspectives and Inclusive Practices | CO | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood | CO | EST221 Health, Environment and Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education | CO | EPE500 Professional Experience: Pedagogical Leadership (Int-6) | CO/P |
| ECE501 Human Development and Play Pedagogies | CO | ECL516 Early Years Literacy and English | CO | ||
| EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership | CO | ECL523 Mathematics with Young Children | CO | ||
| SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People | CO | EST520 Teacher Professional Identities | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| ECE503 Curriculum Studies and Programming | CO | EPE502 Early Childhood Professional Experience 2 | CO/P | ||
| ECE512 Assessment for Learning and Curricula | CO | ||||
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | ||||
| SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families | CO | ||||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | P = Professional Experience |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester/Intensive 6 | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| EST500 Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Advocacy | CO | ||||
| EST505 Indigenous Perspectives and Inclusive Practices | CO | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| ECL246 Arts, Music and Movement in Early Childhood | CO | EST221 Health, Environment and Wellbeing in Early Childhood Education | CO | EPE500 Professional Experience: Pedagogical Leadership (Int-6) | CO/P |
| ECE501 Human Development and Play Pedagogies | CO | ECL516 Early Years Literacy and English | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership | CO | ECL523 Mathematics with Young Children | CO | ||
| SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People | CO | EST520 Teacher Professional Identities | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||||
| ECE503 Curriculum Studies and Programming | CO | ECE512 Assessment for Learning and Curricula | CO | ||
| SWK551 Engaging Vulnerable Families | CO | EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | ||
| Year 5 | |||||
| EPE502 Early Childhood Professional Experience 2 | CO/P | ||||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification with at least one-year equivalent full-time study in an area relevant to early childhood/primary curriculum, such as art, music, technologies, English, health and physical education, mathematics, science or humanities and social sciences (e.g. history and geography).
Additional admission requirements
Applicants must complete the Teaching Capabilities Statement used to demonstrate suitability for study and work in the teaching profession.
International entry pathway
Applicants who have completed the CDU Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP2, ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.
Essential requirements
Working with Children Check
A Working with Children Check is required before you can undertake your practical placements. If your Working with Children Check is not cleared, you will not be able to undertake practice teaching placements and therefore, will not meet the requirements of the course.
National Police Clearance
In some jurisdictions preservice teachers may be required to have a National Police Clearance prior to commencing placement.
COVID-19
COVID-19 digital certificate may be required to be shown in the jurisdiction of the educational settings.
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either:
- two years higher education (tertiary) study in English in either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America.
- undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no band less than 7.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 185, with no skill below 185. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 65 with no score lower than 65. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 with no score less than 23 in speaking, 24 in listening, 24 in reading, and 27 in writing. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
My lecturers and the academic staff at CDU have been very supportive in helping me develop strategies to become a competent teacher in Australia.
Sunny
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
My lecturers and the academic staff at CDU have been very supportive in helping me develop strategies to become a competent teacher in Australia.
Sunny
CDU student
Course details
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about teaching at CDU
Sunny is from China studying a Master of Teaching at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about teaching at CDU
Sunny is from China studying a Master of Teaching at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
Share this course