Bachelor of Secondary Education (Biology)
Course summary
Secondary educators play a pivotal role in teaching, supporting and inspiring students during a crucial time in their growth and development. Throughout this four-year degree you will learn how to teach high school students about biology, motivating and encouraging them to fully engage in their learning journey.
Students study core subjects in general science and biology, while also gaining key professional knowledge about how the brain works, psychology and adolescent development, classroom management and relationships, Aboriginal education, inclusion, special education, technology, and pedagogy (that is, what to teach and how to teach it).
This major makes up your core teaching area in the Bachelor of Secondary Education. There is also an opportunity for you to pursue a second teaching area specialisation (also called a minor). Options include another science-focused area, mathematics, geography, and Aboriginal studies.
UOW has strong community ties with schools and an extensive professional experience program. During your studies you will have opportunities for rural and international placement experiences, to study overseas with UOW's international exchange and study abroad partners, and to join international cultural immersion programs.
Course information
Study area
Campus
Wollongong
Course Code
3233
73
Duration
4 years full time or 8 years part time
Delivery
On Campus
Cricos
115527B
UAC Code
755104
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.
For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.
Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.
Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via non-ATAR or ATAR-based options.
NON-ATAR ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than ATAR.
Non-ATAR admissions at UOW take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.
Early Admission
Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.
ATAR-BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of ATAR or ATAR plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).
Guaranteed entry selection ranks
The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an ATAR Selection Rank of 73. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.
Adjustment factors
Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your ATAR to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your ATAR. Find out more about UOW's adjustment factors.
Other Admission Criteria
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.
WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary qualifications, you may be eligible for credit for prior learning towards your degree. Where relevant to the UOW degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
New enrolling students will be required to complete the new online Working with Children Check and clearance must be obtained prior to attending Professional Experience.
Please note: Professional Experience is a compulsory component embedded in our undergraduate and Master of Teaching courses. Therefore it is an expectation that students who participate in these courses are capable of meeting the demands of navigating their own way to, from and around the Professional Experience contexts (e.g. school sites). It needs to be noted that the off-campus environment is beyond the control of UOW.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
7.5 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
106 |
25 |
25 |
28 |
27 |
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary qualifications, you may be eligible for credit for prior learning towards your degree. Where relevant to the UOW degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.
FEES
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Wollongong | On Campus | $15,264 (2025) | $122,112 (2025) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. The fees outlined in your Letter of Offer of Admission to the University are correct at the point of offer, but are indicative and subject to change without notice. The indicative total course tuition fee is an estimate, based on normal course length and progression and current course fees.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.
Applicant background |
2023 intake |
2023 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| ATAR Only Students admitted only on the basis of ATAR including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| ATAR plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only (non-ATAR) These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. UOW Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
ATAR PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘ATAR-based admission’.
|
ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023 |
ATAR The unadjusted, raw ATARs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR. | Selection Rank The ATARs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)
More Information
For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2025 Autumn | Wollongong | Orientation: 24 - 27 February 2025 Applications Close
*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session. |
Course Structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course HandbookWhy choose this course
UOW Education degrees produce career-ready accredited graduates with extensive professional experience and strong industry links. Our academics are accredited professionals and published authors who are passionate about teaching and connected to industry networks. They take all this experience with them to the classroom to enrich and guide your learning experience.
UOW Education has strong community ties with schools and an extensive professional experience program. You will also have access to academic staff and career consultants, who provide services and support to increase your employability.