Primary Education (vertical stack) combined courses FAQ
What is the vertical stack?
Essentially what it means is you can study an undergraduate degree and a Master of Teaching in Primary Education (a postgraduate degree) side-by-side. This vertical stack program - Bachelor of Education Futures and a Master of Teaching Primary Education - provides you with a master's qualification to teach in NSW primary schools. This program rewards you with a double degree in the time it takes (4 years) to complete a single degree in many other universities.
The Bachelor component provides engagement with a broad range of contemporary issues including sustainability and the environment, science and society, technology and society, Indigenous knowledges and perspectives, and educational practices, such as programming, assessment and reporting.
Students who achieve the key milestone requirements within the Bachelor component of the Course will proceed into the Masters component of the degree. The Masters component includes research-based studies of educational theory and practice as a basis for professional decision-making in the primary school context.
Year 1: coursework
Year 2: two 20-day placements plus coursework
Year 3: one 20-day placement plus coursework
Year 4: one 20-day placement plus coursework
Do primary school teachers require specialisations? What value do the UTS Primary specialisations offer?
The external accreditation body (NESA) and school principals do not necessarily require primary school teachers to have specialisations. Indeed, primary schools are required to be generalists; that is, to have a breadth of knowledge across various Key Learning Areas. Nonetheless, there is a trend for primary schools to recruit teachers who have a breadth of disciplinary knowledge, but also can offer specialised knowledge in a particular Key Learning Area.
That is why UTS requires vertical stack students to select and take subjects within one major specialisation from the following: English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Creative Arts, and Languages.
Why vertical stack over other Primary Education courses?
The UTS vertically stacked, combined Bachelor of Education Futures / Master of Teaching (primary) degree, however, leverages expertise from other Faculties. This program, for example contains a large number of subjects that are shared with other disciplines. These include: Digital and Social Media, Sustainability and Environment, TESOL, Music and Sound Design, Social and Political Science, Health, Science and Mathematics.
The Bachelor of Education Futures proclaims the branding of UTS with a strong underpinning of innovation, technology, environment and sustainability, and education futures. No other NSW university offers a vertically stacked combined degree in primary teacher education. This course allows prospective primary teachers to complete an undergraduate degree combined with the Master of Teaching in Primary Education in a condensed time frame of four years (as distinct from a conventional five years).
Do I need three band fives to do a vertical stack combined degree?
No, you do not. NESA, the external accreditation authority normally requires entrants to a teacher-education program to have three Band 5 results in the HSC, including one in English. If, however, entrants have completed at least one full year of academic studies at university before undertaking study of teacher education, then they can be offered a place in a teacher education program.
The UTS vertical stack is designed so that students undertake their first full year of academic study in disciplinary content before commencing the study of teaching.
Will there be in-class experience?
Yes, plenty. UTS’ Education program is world-class. We have custom-built teaching spaces in Building 10. These include studios in visual arts, movement and dance, science laboratory, gymnasium for physical education, and dedicated lecture rooms.
Furthermore, we have access to more than 200 partner schools across NSW and so by the end of your studies you will have spent 80 days teaching in real classrooms in several of our partner schools.
How long does it take?
If you study full-time then you can complete the program in four years. Part-time study is, however, possible and then the length of the program is commensurate.
Can I do secondary teaching at UTS?
Yes.
For more information, visit the Secondary Education (vertical stack) combined courses FAQ webpage
