Q: What is the timetabling like for preservice Education courses?
A: The method courses, which are taught by practicing teachers, will normally be scheduled between 4pm and 7pm. Other preservice education courses will generally be taught between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, except for the second year Masters of Teaching classes which are run in online and intensive mode, as the students of that program are expected to be teaching full-time. See our calendar for Masters of Teaching (Primary) and Masters of Teaching (Secondary) courses.
Q: I’m halfway through my Bachelor of Arts, and have decided I want to teach. What should I do?
A: You may be able to transfer into a dual award with the Bachelor of Education (BEd). You will probably receive advanced standing for some of your discipline courses, however you will need to complete the first and second year education subjects as outlined in the study program provided to you, as they are prerequisites of the third-year courses.
Q: I’m doing a BA/BEd, and am uncertain about my course choices and degree structure. Who do I talk to?
A: For all enquiries related to the courses in your major and minor and your overall course structure and progression, please contact the UNSW Arts & Social Sciences Student Centre by phone on (0)2 9385 2289, or via the Ask a question form.
Q: Do the programs stay the same from year to year?
A: To ensure we offer the best standard of teacher training, we continuously evaluate and improve our program but there's no need to worry if this happens partway through your program. If the program has been altered to develop our pedagogy, you'll still continue along the pathway you originally enrolled in. If the program structure changes due to outside influences (e.g. a change in teacher accreditation requirements), your program will be modified so that you'll still be qualified to teach your methods upon graduation. Take a look at our program plans.
Q: What is the duration of the practical component of my Bachelor of Education degree?
A : All students must do at least 80 days of professional experience. In Year 2, students undertake 15 days of Professional Engagement as a classroom assistant in a school or educational organisation to get to know the different forms of educational provision in NSW and to understand the needs of a variety of learners. In Year 3 and 4, students normally take 65 days of Professional Experience/internship.
Q: How many hours of study per week are involved in preservice Education courses (lectures, tutorials and self study)?
A: This varies from course to course. Contact hours (i.e. lectures and tutorials) for a course usually total 36 hours. Each course also requires an average of six hours of self-directed study and assessment per week.
Q: Are there assessments for intensive courses before the start of the scheduled lectures?
A: Yes, intensive courses always require a small graded assessment task to be completed in advance to meet federal government requirements and to ensure you are appropriately prepared for the intensive nature of the course by reading and reflecting on key issues. You should check your Moodle when you enrol for assignment information as well as the course outlines.
Q: What if I am an EAL/D student and need extra help with English?
A: UNSW Arts & Social Sciences now has a Personalised English Language Enhancement Program (PELE) to help you take responsibility for your own English language enhancement. This is a free 10-week program that consists of lectures and tutorials.Check your eligibility.
The Learning Centre at UNSW also offers individual consultations, academic skills workshops, Conversation Café groups, online academic skills resources and Academic Skills Plus, a General Education course that helps students develop their academic skills and gain academic credit. Visit The Learning Centre for more details.