Diploma of Early Childhood holders offered fast tracked degrees with Curtin University

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Freya Lucas

Nov 06, 2024

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Early childhood educators holding a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care now have the chance to complete a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) in just three years with Curtin University, using an applied credit method.

Curtin’s Director of the Centre for Learning Enterprise and Partnership Engagement, Chandra Sundareswaran, said the initiative was a significant step forward for prospective undergraduate students coming from VET pathways, including TAFE, to Curtin.

“We are now able to provide clear guidance on the credits VET students can expect to receive when they enrol at Curtin, making the process more transparent and efficient,” Mr Sundareswaran said.

“Curtin’s Faculty of Humanities has spearheaded an exhaustive effort to meticulously map VET qualifications to corresponding university courses. This allows block credits to be automatically applied, eliminating the need for time-consuming individual assessments.”

“As well as a smoother transition, the initiative also reduces the course duration, wait times and costs for students.”

The mapping technique has also been applied to other fields, benefiting those who hold a diploma or advanced diploma in various fields such as early childhood education, construction management and graphic design.

The improved credits initiative also aligns with the recommendations in the Universities Accord, advocating for closer integration between universities and the VET sector, with plans underway to assess expansion into other Curtin faculties.

For more information on Curtin University's VET and TAFE pathway initiatives and eligibility criteria please see here.

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