Flexible study
Flexible study
What does flexible study mean for me?
Studying at Swinburne Online gives you the freedom to study how it suits you. Decide when and where it fits in with your life and tailor your study journey to your own needs. Get a world-class degree without giving up what’s important.
Flexible study at Swinburne Online
Multiple intakes
Start when it suits. Swinburne Online offers multiple intake dates and flexible unit availability, so you can choose when you begin your studies or if you need to take a break.
7-day support
Flexible study requires flexible support. As a Swinburne Online student, you’ll have support for extended hours, seven days a week, with Student Advisors available to help with anything from tech support to research advice and dedicated online tutors in each of your units.
Structure
Structure
Your course structure
The Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching consists of four double credit point units and runs over one year.
Your units will arm you with knowledge in a range of areas, such as effective curriculum planning, child development, contemporary teaching practices, play based learning, sustainability and wellbeing practices in early childhood teaching environments.
You will also put theory into practice with professional experience embedded within each unit of study via a workplace-based internship model. Already working as an educator? You may elect to complete your first placement at your current workplace.
Why study a degree in education with Swinburne Online? Our courses are at the forefront of industry and provide you with the practical skills to success come graduation. View all units in this graduate diploma.
View All UnitsHow you'll learn
How you'll learn
Learning designed for online
Your study journey with Swinburne Online is tailored to the digital space. You’ll study in a dynamic virtual classroom environment, interact with your peers in the custom-built social platform, and receive support at the times you need it from advisors who understand studying online.
Online classroom
You’ll complete each of your units in Canvas, your online classroom, and guided through coursework by an online tutor with real-world experience in your field of study. Canvas is where you’ll access classes, assignments and discussion boards with your peers.
Online campus
The Student Hub is your online campus, where you’ll access the support and resources to assist you throughout your study journey. From managing your course to technical support and library resources, you’ll find it all in one easy location.
Tailored support
Swinburne Online will be there for you each step of the way. From enrolment through to graduation, we offer extended, flexible support in each of your units and advisors to assist with anything from technical support to referencing and assignment tips.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Students must have successfully completed an Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or recognised ungraded equivalent), and a minimum of five years relevant work experience (undertaken within the last seven years) in an early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities.
Additional requirements
All enrolled students must maintain a current Working with Children Check from the appropriate State Authority.
A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to a placement.
English Language Literacy
Evidence of English language proficiency is not required if the applicant has completed a bachelor degree in English in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland.
For bachelor degrees completed in other countries, the following criteria applies:
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 70% and all skills 65% or above
Or equivalent measures available at the Swinburne English Language Requirements page.
Fees
Fees
The estimated annual fee for this course is $23,760*. This is based on completing eight 12.5 credit point units in one calendar year.
Commonwealth provided loans are available to assist eligible students to pay their course fees and there are a range of university, government and privately funded scholarships and prizes.
Discover more information about HELP loans.
Course fees may change without notice and will be affected by a student’s unit selection and any credit awarded in recognition of previous academic experience.
This course is not available to international students.
Domestic students also contribute to student services and amenities via an annual fee.
The Fraser Foundation scholarship
The Fraser Foundation offers scholarships to help all students achieve their full potential in the field of Early Childhood Education. They are awarded to people from all backgrounds and study areas and are not just for high academic achievers.
In order to be eligible for a scholarship with The Fraser Foundation you must (include but not limited to):
- have a passion for and commitment to education and early childhood learning
- have enrolled or intend to enrol as a full-time or part-time student in an approved Australian course of early childhood education
- commitment to completing your chosen course/degree
- be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
- can show/prove a genuine need for support or assistance (for example financial hardship, vulnerability, ATSI or rural or remote location etc)
- be 17 years of age or older.
Find out more and apply by visiting the Fraser Foundation Scholarship website.
Victorian Government scholarships
The Victorian Government is now offering scholarships to encourage early childhood teachers throughout the state through the Early Childhood Scholarship Program. Students applying for an approved qualification may be eligible to receive up to $12,000 towards an early childhood graduate diploma. Find out more through the Early Childhood Scholarships Program Guidelines, and apply by visiting the Victorian Government website.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Advance your career in early childhood education
Our education graduates all undertake professional experience via a workplace-based internship model specifically designed to educate children up to five years of age. Every unit you undertake will have a practical placement component, and if you are already working as an educator, you may choose to complete your first placement at your current workplace.
As an existing early childhood educator, this course will help you move into a teaching role or a more senior role, which could see you developing curriculum, policies and procedures.
Early Childhood Teacher
Teach the basics of numeracy, literacy, music, and art to early childhood students.
Kindergarten Teacher
Guide young children in the acquisition of fundamental literacy and numeracy skills, effectively preparing them for a successful transition to primary school.
Early Childhood Teaching Director
Develop the curriculum, set policies and oversee daily operations of an early childhood centre.