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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
The Diploma of Educational Studies is a versatile one year qualification that provides you with opportunities to undertake a range of roles in diverse educational settings. Depending on State and Territory requirements these may include: supporting teachers in school-age education (as an education aide, teacher's aide and assistant teacher) or working as an educator in out-of-school-hours care.
This course will prepare you to work as an:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander education officer/worker
- Homeland teaching assistant
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language and culture teaching assistant
- Inclusion supports facilitator
- Education assistant
- Support worker (children with disabilities)
- Education assistant (special needs)
- Teacher aide
- Education support worker
- Teacher assistant
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in areas such as vacation care, homework centres, teaching assistant/teacher's aide/education assistant.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
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.
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.
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Complete placements close to home
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.
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.
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Complete placements close to home
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.
What will I study?
The Diploma of Educational Studies is based around eight 10 credit point units, organised in three streams: early childhood education and care, primary education and secondary education. It is delivered externally and internally and can be completed in one-year full time or two-years part time.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (1 unit) | 10cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 10 credit points as detailed below. LAL100 Language, Literacy and Sustainability |
| Specialist Elective (5 units) | 50cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 50 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below (to maximise credit into a bachelor degree, do units from one stream): Early childhood education and care Primary Secondary |
| Electives (2 units) | 20cp | Units totalling 20 credit points selected from undergraduate units offered by the University. |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the course structures above)
- 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 a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full-time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or 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.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LAL100 Language Literacy and Sustainability | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Elective | E |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Elective | E |
Part-Time
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LAL100 Language Literacy and Sustainability | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | Elective | E |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Elective | E |
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or 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.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LAL100 Language Literacy and Sustainability | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Elective | E | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Elective | E | ||
Part-Time
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| LAL100 Language Literacy and Sustainability | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Elective | E |
| Year 3 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Elective | E | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
- Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:
- Navy: Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman
- Air Force: Aircraftmen/Aircraftwoman, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal
- Army: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal
- Current School Leaver Pathways:
- Best of 3 Year 12 subject grades
- School recommendation program
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
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. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - International students
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 3 (ZEAP30) | Successful completion of EAP003 English for Academic Purposes 3 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of B2. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 60 and a minimum writing score of 21. |
* 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.
ATAR profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Charles Darwin University has arranged some great placements for me, all within 10 minutes of my home in regional New South Wales. I like that you're in a classroom early in the degree, learning the ropes. And I got to experience different types of schools, demographic areas and leadership styles.
Matt
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
Charles Darwin University has arranged some great placements for me, all within 10 minutes of my home in regional New South Wales. I like that you're in a classroom early in the degree, learning the ropes. And I got to experience different types of schools, demographic areas and leadership styles.
Matt
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 5.
Student profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
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.
MyNextCourse
Direct applications are available to students who have completed a CDU or BIITE course at a Certificate III level or higher. Most CDU and BIITE enabling programs are also accepted through this process.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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