/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/images/Coffs-harbour_student-group_20220616_33-147kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/services/counselling/images/RS21533_English-College-Student_20191210_DSC_6961-117kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/scholarships/images/STEPHANIE-PORTO-108-2-169kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/arts-and-humanities/images/RS20958_Chin-Yung-Pang-Andy_20190309__79I5562-960X540.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/experience/images/SCU-INTNL-STUDY-GUIDE-280422-256-72kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/dep-site-assets/component-library/screenshots/online-1X1.jpg)
Course snapshot
International snapshot
-
Start Date
March, June
-
Duration
1 year full-time
-
Location
Gold Coast
N/A -
Placement
No
-
ATAR
45
-
Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
DipEd
-
Course code
2125500
-
Credit points
96
-
Equivalent units
8
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
-
CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
Keen to explore where a career in education and teaching can take you?
The Diploma of Education is a one-year (full-time or part-time equivalent) course that equips students with foundational knowledge and skills in education. The course is a pathway to study for a professional career in education.
Students choose from one of the following specialisations:
- Primary
- Secondary (Humanities or STEM pathway)
- Technology Secondary
- Secondary Education/Arts (Creative Writing, Social Sciences or Humanities pathway).
The course is a pathway to further study at the Bachelor level and can also serve as preparation for direct employment in various paraprofessional roles such as teacher support or library assistants.
Diploma specialisations are linked to specialisations in the Bachelor degrees. Diploma of Education graduates are eligible for entry and up to eight units of credit towards the Bachelor of Education; the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education; the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Arts; or the Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of Arts depending on the specialisation chosen.
This course is offered through SCU College, where we understand that students have diverse experiences and ways of learning. At SCU College, we support your success through carefully designed curriculum with embedded support, and additional support material is available through self-access online resources.
Please note that Online students in the Secondary specialisation (STEM pathway) must undertake compulsory on-campus residentials for some units.
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/education/images/Testimonial-Aside_804X480_Education-and-Teaching.jpg)
“I feel fortunate to be their teacher. They are at an age when their personalities are really emerging. They have such humour and curiosity. You can have a joke with them, yet at the same time they are serious about wanting to learn. They are respectful too. We respect each other.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined educational settings. |
GA2: Creativity Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined contexts in the field of education. |
GA3: Ethical practice Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined educational contexts. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply academic knowledge and skills to communicate information, concepts, and solutions, individually and/or in a team within defined educational contexts. Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions in defined educational settings. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work in defined educational contexts. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Apply academic knowledge and skills to communicate information, concepts, and solutions, individually and/or in a team within defined educational contexts. |
GA7: Cultural competence Demonstrate an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined educational contexts. |
All students choose a specialisation in either:
- Primary
- Secondary (Humanities or STEM pathway)
- Technology Secondary
- Secondary Education/Arts (Creative Writing, Social Sciences or Humanities pathway).
The specialisations in the Diploma of Education are designed to prepare you for further study and specialisations at the Bachelor level. See the Bachelor of Education; Bachelor of Early Childhood Education; Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Arts; or the Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of Arts for details of these linked specialisations.
Please note: Online students in the Secondary specialisation (STEM pathway) must undertake compulsory on-campus residentials for some units.
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 112794G |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
Diploma of Education graduates are eligible for entry and up to eight units of credit towards a linked specialisation in the Bachelor of Education; Bachelor of Early Childhood Education; Bachelor of Education (Secondary), Bachelor of Arts; or the Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of Arts.
Graduates will be eligible for employment in various paraprofessional contexts, such as teacher support roles and library assistants.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 6.5 |
| Reading | 6.0 |
| Writing | 6.0 |
| Listening | 6.5 |
| Speaking | 6.5 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Education, students must complete 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:
- 1 specialisation in Primary or Secondary or Technology Secondary or Secondary Education/Arts
Other things to consider
As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us.
There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.
Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.
SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.
Course structure
Why study Education at Southern Cross University
Top 400 worldwide
We're rated in the top 400 universities worldwide in Education
Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025Tailor studies to your interests
Choose from a range of specialisations
Pathway to further study
Successful completion of the Diploma will guarantee you entry and up to eight units of credit towards a linked Bachelor degree
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
How can we help?
Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway