Diploma in Education Studies

The Diploma in Education Studies at Adelaide University is a one-year qualification for people who want to work in education settings or build a pathway into further study. You will study how learning works, how curriculum is planned, and how to support students in classrooms and community programs. The diploma sits at the diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework, below a bachelor degree, and is usually made up of units of study worth set credit points across two semesters or trimesters. Check the official page for the exact unit list and credit point values.

What you study

Core study areas include curriculum and instruction, child and adolescent development, and the social and cultural context of schooling. You will look at how teachers plan lessons, assess learning, and manage classrooms, and at the needs of students from different backgrounds and abilities. Assessment is typically a mix of essays, reports, presentations and practical tasks rather than exams alone. Some diplomas include a work-integrated learning component, such as observation or supervised placement in a school or education setting. Confirm placement requirements, including any working with children checks, with the university.

How the qualification works

As an AQF diploma, this course is shorter and more applied than a bachelor degree. A bachelor degree is normally three years, an honours year adds one more, a master's is one to two years, and a doctorate takes three or more. The diploma can stand alone as a qualification for education support roles, or you may be able to use it as a pathway into a bachelor degree with credit for the units you have completed. Credit arrangements vary, so ask the university how much credit you would receive.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want to try education before committing to a full degree, career changers moving into classrooms or community learning roles, and education support staff who want a formal qualification. It also suits people working in early childhood, out-of-school-hours care or community programs who want to strengthen their knowledge of curriculum and instruction. If you plan to become a registered teacher, check the registration requirements of the state or territory where you intend to work, because a diploma alone may not meet them.

Practical details

International applicants need to meet English requirements. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate courses, rising to 7.0–7.5 for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 115776G. While studying, a student visa generally allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight, and after completing the course you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Confirm all details on the official page before applying.

Graduates work in education and community settings across Australia. Typical roles include:

• Education support officer or teacher aide in primary and secondary schools
• Learning support assistant working with students who need extra help
• Early childhood educator or assistant in long day care and preschool services
• Out-of-school-hours care coordinator or assistant
• Community education assistant in councils, libraries or not-for-profit organisations
• Administration and student services roles in schools and training providers

These roles are found in government and non-government schools, early childhood services, TAFE and private training providers, and community organisations. Some graduates continue into a bachelor degree in education or a related field. If you aim to become a registered teacher, check the requirements of the state or territory teacher registration authority, as further study is usually needed.