Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1 & 3
- Duration
- 4 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- UAC code 422100
- Program code 4053
- CRICOS code 075262B
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ATAR/2025 lowest selection rank
- 80.0 View all admission criteria
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2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $9,500*
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2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $34,500*
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2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $49,000*
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2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $213,500*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
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Work experience
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NESA accredited
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Art & Design campus
Join us at Info Day
Thursday, 18 December | 12–4pm | Kensington campus
Join us on campus to get personalised advice on your study options before UAC preferences close. Info Day is the perfect opportunity to get all of your last minute questions answered, the day ATARs are released.
Application closures for 2026
Undergraduate programs for 2026 intakes are closed for New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) applications. Applications for postgraduate programs remain open. Find out if this closure applies to you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) is a four-year double degree that empowers you to teach, lead and inspire in the classroom. This arts teaching degree (secondary) gives you the chance to pursue your passion for the humanities, social sciences, performing arts or languages, while earning a NESA-accredited teaching qualification. You'll graduate ready to engage students in creative and critical thinking and shape their understanding of the world.
At UNSW, you'll study secondary education alongside your chosen major in the arts. You’ll explore how young people learn and gain the skills to design curriculum, communicate effectively and deliver engaging lessons backed by current educational research.
Through 80 days of classroom practice in diverse school settings, you’ll gain real-world experience and confidence in lesson planning, classroom management and student engagement. You’ll collaborate with experienced teachers and mentors, learning how to support student learning and wellbeing through inclusive and creative approaches.
As one of Australia’s leading universities for arts education and teacher training, UNSW offers strong industry connections and a vibrant academic community. From your first year, you’ll learn from education experts and arts scholars, developing the knowledge and flexibility to thrive in a variety of secondary school settings.
Why study Arts / Education (Secondary) at UNSW?
Studying the Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) at UNSW means learning how to lead and inspire future generations of high school students. This dynamic education and arts double degree gives you a NESA-accredited teaching qualification, real classroom experience and the confidence to teach humanities, social sciences or languages in diverse school settings.
Gain real teaching experience
The Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) gets you ready for the classroom with 80 days of supervised professional placement in at least two high schools. Throughout your teaching degree, you'll apply what you learn in real school settings – planning lessons, managing classrooms and connecting with students. These experiences are designed to strengthen your skills and build relationships with schools and educators across NSW.
Learn to teach to professional standards
Graduate with a NESA-accredited teaching qualification, recognised across NSW and beyond. You’ll study how students learn in a variety of ways, develop skills in curriculum design and explore strategies to engage, assess and support learners. This program is ideal for those passionate about teaching humanities in high school, including subjects such as history, society and culture, or languages.
Design a degree that reflects your interests
This flexible creative teaching degree allows you to tailor your studies across a wide range of disciplines, from humanities and languages to media, social sciences and cultural studies. Whether you want to focus on arts pedagogy, social justice or global cultures, you'll be supported to follow your interests while gaining a strong foundation in secondary education.
Join a supportive and inclusive community
By studying the Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary), you’ll learn in a diverse and collaborative environment, guided by leading researchers and experienced educators. You’ll also benefit from strong school and industry partnerships, giving you access to networks, mentorship and career pathways that support your development throughout your studies and beyond.
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
Entry requirements
To apply for the Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) at UNSW, you’ll need to meet the relevant entry criteria – including the published ATAR cut-off or equivalent and English language requirements. These details outline your application eligibility and the available pathways for entry into this teaching double degree.
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- The 2025 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025.
- The 2025 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
- The 2025 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2025 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
*The Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made, for this program, is based on a UNSW Gateway Early Conditional Offer.
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At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Adjustment Factors
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Admission pathways
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our Future Student Advisers to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students who attend Gateway schools, live in a low-socioeconomic area based on IRSAD and IEO indexes of SEIFA criteria, or are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person. It adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides early offers and early conditional offers to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
University Preparation Program
If you want to study at UNSW but faced challenges in year 11 and 12 that make you eligible for the UNSW ACCESS Scheme, but you don't meet the cut-off for degree entry, consider the University Preparation Program.
The University Preparation Program is a one-year pathway to a UNSW degree place. You'll study subjects that allow you to develop your academic skills, including maths skills if needed, so that you can achieve your best results. You also study degree level courses from week one, to give you a realistic introduction to university level study. If you do well in these courses you can earn course credit towards your degree.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
International direct entry
Information for applicants with CBSE, HKDSE or Singapore A Levels Qualification
Calculating your CBSE Score:
Awarded by CBSE, average percentage marks across English or Hindi, and your best four remaining subjects. Where marks are given as a range, the mid-point for that range is used e.g. 75 to 80 = 77.5.
Calculating your HKDSE Score:
Entry requirements are based on the aggregate of the best 5 achieved category A subjects (category B and C subjects are not considered).
For subjects other than Citizenship and Social Development: level 5**=7 points, level 5*=6 points, level 5=5 points, level 4=4 points, level 3=3 points, level 2=2 points, level 1=1 point, Level U=0 point.
For subject Citizenship and Social Development: Attained=2 points, Unattained=0 point. Citizenship and Social Development will only be counted towards the aggregate if the 2 points awarded for Attained ranks among the student’s best five scoring subjects.
If Mathematics Compulsory Part and Extended Part (Module 1 or 2) are both presented, both scores can be counted.
Calculating your Singapore A Levels:
Due to significant changes to the GCE A-Level Curriculum and University Admissions Score (UAS) calculation effective 2026, UNSW assessment is currently under review.
Note: Entry requirements published on this page are correct as of the day of publication and may change without notice.
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Admission pathways
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
What will I study in the Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary)?
UNSW is introducing a new academic calendar from 2028.
We are moving to a new flex-semester calendar. What does this mean for your studies?
Combine your passion for the arts with the skills to become an inspiring secondary school teacher. In this arts and education double degree, you'll study a blend of humanities, languages or social sciences alongside core education courses. Graduate with two qualifications, deep subject expertise and a NESA-accredited teaching qualification.
Study areas
The Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) lets you focus on two areas of expertise to graduate with more knowledge, skills and career options. Despite the name, it's not double the workload. A double degree combines the core courses from two programs. You'll graduate with two qualifications sooner than studying two consecutive degrees.
For arts, you can choose to do a double major or combine a major and a minor specialisation from the study areas listed below. See ‘Full program structure’ for more information.
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In the Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary), you’ll choose from a range of arts majors and minors – from History and English to Music, Theatre and Performance, and global languages – to build deep expertise in the subject you’ll one day teach.
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You can complete a minor in the study areas listed above, as well as:
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Your education studies at UNSW equip you with the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and professional experience to thrive as a high school teacher. Through a combination of core courses, hands-on placements and teaching specialisations, you’ll learn how to design engaging lessons, support diverse learners and confidently manage the classroom environment.
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You’ll understand educational psychology, different social and Indigenous perspectives, inclusive strategies for special education, managing the classroom environment, and responding to gifted and talented students. You’ll also be able to choose an elective course in critical issues, motivation, culture, digital literacy or communication skills.
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This is where it gets real. Bring your Working with Children Check and mandatory anaphylaxis training. Successfully complete two LANTITE (Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students) tests set by NESA as part of your studies before starting your professional experiences.
The first professional experience is a one-day intensive orientation and online activities followed by a four-week supervised work placement. The second placement goes for nine weeks, and you’ll gradually shift towards more autonomy, responsibility, and accountability. Both placements provide you with real-world experience and supportive feedback to guide your future career.
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Design innovative and engaging lesson plans, incorporated with effective teaching strategies for diverse learning styles. You’ll find out how to create a safe and supportive classroom environment; and discover innovative resources that assess and improve learning. Through self- and peer evaluation you’ll understand how to present yourself in a professional manner.
These skills will be developed within the context of excellence in teaching visual arts to high school students. You’ll also be able to learn within an additional context of teaching graphics and multimedia technologies.
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Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) program structure
This arts and education double degree is structured to meet the requirements of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for secondary teacher accreditation, with a total of 31 courses. If you're studying full-time, you’ll typically complete eight courses per year over four years. (While most double degrees include 32 courses, this secondary education program includes a final teaching internship worth the equivalent of two courses).
You’ll have the flexibility to shape the arts component of your degree to match your interests and career goals. Choose from a range of arts study areas – including humanities, languages and social sciences – and structure your program as either a double major or a major and minor with complementary electives.
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A major is a collection of courses focused on one study area. In this double degree, the arts majors have eight core courses. You can choose to have one or two arts majors in this degree.
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A minor is a small collection of courses focused on one study area. Minors in the Bachelor of Arts component of this double degree typically have six courses. If you choose to study a major and a minor study area, you’ll need to take one or two prescribed electives to complete the full arts program.
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In the arts component of this double degree, some courses sit outside of the major and minor study areas. These are electives and include recommended professional placements, research projects and global internships. Prescribed electives are courses that you must choose from a recommended list.
For detailed information on the full program structure for this Arts / Secondary Education degree, please visit the handbook.
Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) career outcomes
The Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) prepares you for a meaningful teaching career backed by a NESA-accredited qualification and 80 days of real classroom experience. You’ll graduate ready to teach humanities, languages or social sciences in secondary schools, with in-demand skills in curriculum design, inclusive teaching and arts pedagogy. Employment for secondary school teachers is expected to grow steadily, with strong demand across the country (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025).
Beyond the classroom, this teaching double degree also opens doors to roles in education consulting, cultural outreach, curriculum development, and arts and social sciences education. With transferable skills in communication, critical thinking and leadership, graduates also thrive in NGOs, community organisations, cultural institutions and public sector roles.
Whether you're shaping minds in a high school classroom or leading creative education initiatives, you'll be equipped to make a lasting impact.
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The arts component of your double degree equips you with transferable skills that are highly valued across industries worldwide. With strong foundations in humanities, social sciences and critical thinking, you’ll be ready to solve complex problems in a range of professional contexts – both in Australia and internationally.
Potential roles include:
- Academic
- Activist
- Actor
- Advocate
- Diplomat
- Gallery manager
- Government administrator
- International representative
- Journalist
- Public servant
- Publisher
- Research assistant
- Set manager
- Writer
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With a NESA-accredited teaching qualification and specialist training in secondary arts education, you’ll be equipped to teach in high schools across Australia. Your skills in lesson planning, classroom management and inclusive teaching strategies open doors to leadership roles in schools, as well as opportunities in government education departments, teacher training organisations, and community education programs. Possible job titles include:
- Curriculum designer
- Education consultant
- High school English teacher
- High school foreign language teacher
- High school geography teacher
- High school history teacher
- High school Aboriginal studies teacher
- High school principal
- High school society and culture teacher
- Learning support specialist
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Arts / Education (Secondary) is accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority as an initial teaching qualification for both government and non-government secondary schools throughout Australia and is widely accepted as a teaching qualification internationally.
How to apply
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
Ready to apply?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For details, visit the international admissions information page.
*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. For details, visit the under 18 international students page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Place multiple Student Contribution Bands may apply for this double degree. See single degrees for the applicable fee bands.* The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
Progress starts here – at a world-leading university
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QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
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AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2025
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Highest number of startups and spinouts from university-developed tech
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