Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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This page was archived on 16 August 2026 and is no longer updated.

Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood)

Want to start a career in education? Do you enjoy working with young children in their learning journeys? This certificate provides an introduction to education and the professional work of early childhood educators.

In this program you will:

  • Develop foundational skills and knowledge for teaching in early education settings
  • Learn about child development, play-based learning, fostering creative expression through the arts, early years care and age-appropriate teaching
  • Improve your own literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge

This program is not currently open for applications

Entry threshold

ATAR/Rank
ATAR/Rank

Duration

6 months Full-time or equivalent part-time
Full-time or equivalent part-time

Indicative fees

A$2,368 - 2026 Fees CSP
CSP

Duration
6 months 6 months
UniSC program code
ED011
Program structure
Introductory courses (3) 36 units

EDU101 Human Development and Learning
EDU109 Professional Experience: Play and Pedagogy in Early Learning
EDU119 English Language and Literacy

PLUS select 1 course (12 units) from:

EDU115 Creative Expression and Play through the Arts
EDU118 Foundations of Numeracy

Program requirements
  • Successful completion of 48 units
  • Students are required to complete a professional experience placement for five consecutive days in a childcare setting
  • Designed as a pathway into Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
  • Designed as a pathway into Diploma in Education Studies (Early Childhood)
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
WIL notes

It is no longer a requirement that students in the Undergraduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.


Please note that some Professional Experience (PEx) placement host organisations have chosen to continue requiring COVID-19 vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is important to know that PEx placement opportunities in your program may be limited and may result in a delay to your PEx placement.


UniSC still strongly recommends that all students undertaking PEx placement are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of this vaccination status to the University.

Students are required to hold a valid Blue Card, or link their existing Blue Card to UniSC. This must be obtained prior to commencing Professional Experience (PEx) in both prior to school and school contexts.

Study sequences

This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the previous student handbooks.

Minimum entry threshold

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.

Location ATAR/Rank

Post admission requirements

To commence Professional Experience (PEx) within this program, students must have a Working with Children Check (Blue Card), or link their existing Blue Card to UniSC.
The Blue Card system is regulated by legislation, Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (the Act) and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2020. Students must undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a Blue Card, by Blue Card Services to allow them to undertake Professional Experience (PEx) placement in prior to school and school contexts, that children under 18 years of age are present. It is highly recommended students be proactive in applying for a BlueCard as soon as they are accepted into the program. PEx placements cannot commence without a valid Blue Card.

Additional entry information

Applicants from a non-English speaking background should refer to the English language requirements for further information.

Prerequisites

English (Units 3 and 4, C)

Recommended prior study
Mathematics or Science