With this new decade bringing unprecedented challenges to both students and parents alike, in Queensland, the switch from Overall Position (OP) to the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), is just another challenge that Year 12 students will need to face in 2020. Although this change may be met with some resistance, there are actually many benefits to transferring to this type of admissions criteria. If your child is hoping to study education next year, they need to know how to navigate this new system and be prepared.

What is the ATAR for Teaching?

Students looking to pursue a degree in education have a plethora of options available with the majority of universities in Queensland offering Bachelor of Education degrees. Although most of the schools offer degrees in early childhood, primary, and secondary education, the entrance requirements are similar for all specialisations. Although the entrance requirements can vary from year to year, and even semester to semester, the minimum ATAR for education is normally around 65-70. While this may seem relatively attainable for your child, some of the programs can be quite competitive, so it’s always best to aim above the bare minimum and aim to achieve the very best ATAR possible regardless of the minimum entry requirements.

For universities that offer a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) as a dual degree, ATAR requirements will have to be met for both degrees. This means that the minimum can vary greatly (some programs require ATAR scores as high as 94). However, by combining two degrees, students have the chance to become a highly specialised secondary educator. In addition to meeting the education requirements, most universities require the completion of an online questionnaire demonstrating why a student wants to become a teacher as well as a personal statement on why they feel this is the right career for them. A Blue Card is also required before students do any field work in the schools.

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Becoming a Teacher in Queensland

Bachelor of Education University of Queensland

The ATAR for Education requirements at The University of Queensland are the highest in the state for a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree at roughly 77 (OP 11).

UQ’s Bachelor of Education (Secondary) degrees are dual degrees combined with one of five other undergrad degrees. The choices offered are listed below with ATAR entry requirements ranging from 77 all the way up to 94 depending on the program.

Dual Courses offered are:

Bachelor of Education Queensland University of Technology

QUT also offers degrees in early childhood, primary and secondary education with both listing a minimum required ATAR of about 70. However, they do offer guaranteed entry for applicants with OP 1-5, or an ATAR of 92 or higher.

QUT also offers the following double degrees with ATAR requirements falling between 70 and 80.

Bachelor of Education Griffith

The ATAR for Education degrees at Griffith is 69.35 with Primary Education being offered at their Gold Coast, Logan and Mt Gravatt locations and Secondary Education offered at both Gold Coast and Mt Gravatt.

Accredited Courses offered are:

- Master of Primary Teaching
- Master of Secondary Teaching
- Bachelor of Education (Primary Major)
- Bachelor of Education (Secondary Major)
- Bachelor of Education (Primary/Special Needs Double Major)
- Bachelor of Education (Primary/Early Childhood Double Major)
- Bachelor of Education (Primary/Health and Physical Education Double Major)
- Bachelor of Education (Junior Secondary/Secondary Double Major)
- Bachelor of Education (Secondary/Learning Support Double Major)

Teaching and Education Degrees at ACU

Australian Catholic University offers a range of teaching and education degrees with ATARs ranging from 58.5 – 70.

Accredited Courses offered are:

- Master of Teaching (Secondary)
- Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts (Humanities)
- Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood & Primary)
- Bachelor of Education (Primary)
- Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Exercise Science

Bachelor of Education University of Southern Queensland

USQ requires an ATAR of 68 for both its primary and secondary Bachelor of Education degree programs.