Melbourne Polytechnic
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Preston, Victoria, Australia
Level
Bachelor
Duration
3.0F/P
Campus
Preston (VIC)
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Home Tuition
A$4,908 (maximum student contribution 2027 (indicative))
Intake
TBD
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Course Overview
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Melbourne Polytechnic in Preston, Victoria, Australia is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Early years graduates work in nurseries, reception classes, children's centres and family support services, qualifying as Early Years Teachers or practitioners with pathways into leadership, SENCO and children's services roles.
Student life (indicative)
Preston offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle. Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.
The University at a Glance
Staff Ratio
18.0:1
Career Prospects
Avg Starting Salary
£33,970
First-year earnings
Costs & Living
City & Location
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Bachelor of Early Childhood Education topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Current Year 12 graduates Educational outcomes considered for selection Successful completion of an Australian Year 12, or equivalent with no specified minimum ATAR score and a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
- No minimum ATAR required. *Senior VCE VM applicants are required to enter through a VET pathway (Certificate or Diploma) or undertake literacy and numeracy testing equivalency.
- Applicants may be required to attend an interview and demonstrate personal attributes suitable for Early Childhood Education profession.
- Recent Year 12 graduates Educational outcomes considered for selection Successful completion of an Australian Year 12, or equivalent with no specified minimum ATAR score and a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
- No minimum ATAR required. *Senior VCE VM applicants are required to enter through a VET pathway (Certificate or Diploma) or undertake literacy and numeracy testing equivalency.
- Applicants may be required to attend an interview and demonstrate personal attributes suitable for Early Childhood Education profession.
- Applicants with Higher Education study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- Admission criteria for applicants with a Higher Education Study Completion or partial completion of a Bachelor degree level qualification may satisfy the course academic pre-requisites.
- Applicants with VET study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- Admission criteria for applicants with a Vocational Education and Training study Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher qualification in any discipline.
- Applicants may be required to attend an interview and demonstrate personal attributes suitable for Early Childhood Education profession.
- Articulation credits are available for specific VET qualifications Applicants with work and life experience Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
- Admission criteria for applicants with work and life experience Students must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to the stated Year 12 prerequisites.
- Applicants may be required to attend an interview and demonstrate personal attributes suitable for Early Childhood Education profession. | Year 12 prerequisites Units 3 and 4: satisfactory completion of any English. | Current Year 12 graduates Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Recent Year 12 graduates Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Applicants with Higher Education study Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Applicants with VET study Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Applicants with work and life experience Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
- For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Staff Ratio
18:1
Students per staff
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Mild coastal
Safety Index (indicative)
8.0/10
Transport
Good (close to station or regional airport)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle | Academic / intellectual | Professional / career networks
Student Life & City (indicative)
Preston offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle. Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.
- Preston offers a comfortable, outdoor-focused student lifestyle.
- Great weather, natural surroundings and a friendly community create a welcoming environment, with cafés, bars and local events to fill your downtime.
What Students Love
- Outdoor & nature activities
- Great café culture
- Thriving student social scene
- Beach lifestyle
University Stats
Career & Outcomes
Avg Starting Salary
£33,970
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✗ Not offered
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Early years graduates work in nurseries, reception classes, children's centres and family support services, qualifying as Early Years Teachers or practitioners with pathways into leadership, SENCO and children's services roles.
- Early years graduates work in nurseries, reception classes, children's centres and family support services, qualifying as Early Years Teachers or practitioners with pathways into leadership, SENCO and children's services roles.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Healthcare
- Business
- Education
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
HIGH
This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.
Estimated Annual Costs
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Cost Overview (indicative)
Like most major Australian cities, Preston carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110). A comfortable lifestyle at costs below Australia's major east-coast cities.
- Like most major Australian cities, Preston carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110).
- A comfortable lifestyle at costs below Australia's major east-coast cities.