Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Exercise Science
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 3 locations
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Strathfield
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Strathfield
- Duration
- 4 years in accelerated mode full-time or equivalent part-time
- QTAC code
- 113481
- ATAR
- 65.00 for Brisbane
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: to be advised
Entry to this course is governed by the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy. The selection of course entrants is based on academic merit and satisfaction of non-academic capabilities for entry to initial teacher education. In accordance with the mission of ACU, the Faculty of Education and Arts is committed to providing access to education for a diversity of students. For applicants who are not Year 12 students, the assessment may include year 12 or other studies undertaken to allocate an equivalent ranking. Additionally, ACU provides a range of access and equity schemes which consider additional or alternative factors in assessing applicants, including applicants of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. ACU also offers approved, alternative entry pathway programs for domestic and international students.
Overview
Combine secondary education and exercise science to share your passion for health and fitness with the next generation. Learn from world leading experts how to be an effective classroom teacher while building your knowledge of how the human body works, from a psychological, anatomical, physiological, motor control and biomechanical perspective, with a focus on the role of exercise in health, wellbeing and performance. Expand your skills over time, from observing your mentor teacher, to co-teaching, through to planning for and teaching multiple classes a day. You can also choose to study another specialisation from our arts disciplines as part of this double degree.
Achieve your goals with a scholarship.
A generous Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship is available to support new undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolling in an initial teacher education (ITE) program to help meet the costs of their study. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here.
Get paid to learn with a Victorian Government ITE scholarship. Victorian students enrolling in a secondary school initial teacher education (ITE) program in 2024 or 2025 can apply to help cover the cost of studying. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here.
Professional experience
Gain expertise in your practicums over a total of 80 days in schools. Year 1: Community engagement in an educational setting, minimum of 35 hours. Year 2: 15 days, 15 days. Year 3: 15 days. Year 4: 5 days, 30 days.
Work placement
All initial teacher education programs must include a defined period, or professional experience, where pre-service teachers practise teaching in a school under the direct supervision and guidance of an appropriately qualified teacher. In order to graduate, pre-service teachers must satisfy all the requirements of their program, including the professional experience requirements. Supervised professional experience is at the heart of all our pre-service teacher education courses and the Faculty will find appropriate placements to suit the needs of your course. Placements will usually be arranged for the scheduled placement period in the professional experience calendar though this may not always be possible.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for registration as secondary teachers in government, independent, Catholic, and other faith-based schools. This program has been listed on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) accredited programs list and meets the teacher education component of the qualification requirement for registration (accreditation) as a secondary school teacher in all states and territories.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- secondary schools as a PE, HOPE and HPE teacher, including Catholic, government and independent settings
- institutes of technical and further education (TAFE)
- vocational education
- community education centres
- private colleges
- special education settings
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Exercise Science, a student must complete 360 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed the requirements of a course listed below may exit from the course with that qualification. Note that none of these qualifications qualifies a student to teach in Australia.
- Certificate in Educational Studies
- Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
- Bachelor of Physical Activity and Health Science
A student who does not meet the LANTITE requirements may access an appropriate exit point if they meet the requirements of that award.
Additional course information
Requirements for working with children: All students must apply for and obtain background checks as required by Federal and State/Territory laws, including the Working with Vulnerable People check, Working with Children check and National Police check, before they will be permitted to participate in the Professional Experience Program. International students must bring police check documentation from their own countries. All students who have lived in another country for 12 months or more must provide a police check from that country for that period.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
In addition applicants (excluding QLD) will be required to demonstrate suitability for teaching;
All applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent.
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
New South Wales | Prerequisites: Nil Assumed Knowledge: A minimum of three Band 5 HSC results, including one in English Assumed Knowledge: To study a major or minor in Mathematics: Mathematics Advanced or Mathematics Extension 1 or 2 Note: This course is structured to allow applicants to meet the three Band 5 entry requirements within the degree program by including a full year of discipline studies before applicants study how to teach. Recommended studies: Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE); plus one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics. |
Queensland | Prerequisites: English (Units 3 & 4, C); General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C) |
Victoria | Prerequisites: English: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English; Mathematics: Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion of two units (any study combination) of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics OR Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics. |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners or with ACU College, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
Graduates with bachelor degrees may be eligible for entry into honours courses or to a range of postgraduate coursework programs, eg graduate certificates and graduate diplomas and, through these qualifications and/or with relevant work experience, to master’s degree programs.
Fees
Course costs
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Dr Nicki Brake
Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and PE
Dr Nicki Brake is a Senior Lecturer in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) in the Faculty of Education and Arts and is the NSW Course Coordinator for First Year students in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) suite of degrees. Nicki has extensive teaching experience, with over 25 years teaching PDHPE and Dance Education. Nicki has particular interest in student and teacher wellbeing and is passionate about enabling and empowering all people to optimise their own health.
Dr Wade Naylor
Lecturer, School of Education QLD - Brisbane
Dr. Wade Naylor (MInstP) is a former Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics at Osaka University (2010-2015), where he served as the physics course coordinator for the Chemistry-Biology Combined Major Program. During this time, he taught international students and supervised Masters and PhD candidates in the Department of Physics. After moving from Japan to Australia in 2015, Wade transitioned from andragogy to pedagogy, becoming a certified Queensland teacher in 2016. He also worked as a sessional academic at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Currently, Wade is a lecturer in Physics, Mathematics, and STEM education at ACU, with research interests in Physics Education Research (PER) and understanding misconceptions in physics and STEM through Concept Inventories (CIs). He is also a visiting senior researcher at the Department of Physics, University of Johannesburg, where he actively contributes to improving student outcomes through PER initiatives.