The Connected Early Childhood Pathway is our dedicated scholarship program for diploma qualified early childhood educators. It's your pathway to becoming a university qualified early childhood education teacher. The program provides financial, academic and personal support to help you succeed at university.

To be eligible for our scholarship program you must:

• Be a New South Wales resident.
• Hold an approved Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
• Be commencing in our Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years) in Session 1, 2026.
• Study in a Commonwealth supported place.
• Submit a letter of support from your service (if currently employed).
• Complete the scholarship questionnaire.
• Commence in the Connected Early Childhood Pathway on 2 March 2026 (Session 1), enrolled in our Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years).

Priority will be given to students in regional, rural, and remote locations, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Yes, to be eligible you must be located in New South Wales.

We have more than 25 years of expertise in early childhood education. We're the #1 public university for grads who get jobs.*  We also have a strong commitment to regional, rural and First Nations students. As Australia’s most experienced online university, our fully online Connected Early Childhood Pathway is designed for students balancing work, family and life. You’ll get expert advice, dedicated support, and all the resources you need – without having to attend campus.

*Good Universities Guide 2024/25

Our dedicated Connected Early Childhood Pathway Program Lead and Academic Program Support Officer, are available to support and mentor you throughout the course.

In addition:

• Academic skills offers free study support services to help you succeed.
• Free embedded tutors for most subjects.
• Accessibility and inclusion support ensure equal access to learning. You can work with a liaison officer to create a study access plan, and support is provided for any condition (permanent or temporary) that may impact successful study.
• First Nations students will be supported with all aspects of their academic journey, including social, cultural, and personal support. Whilst services refer to First Nations students, Charles Sturt University respectfully acknowledges that students identify in a range of ways, such as with one or more Nations or language groups, as Indigenous, as Aboriginal and/or as Torres Strait Islander.
• Library help and support are available, offering a wide range of accessible learning resources.
• Wellbeing support is available whenever you need it.

If you are successful in receiving the Connected Early Childhood Pathways scholarship, you will be awarded up to $6,000 of financial support. This will be paid in four instalments over the two years.

Additional loading is offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (15 per cent), regional and rural students (10 per cent) and remote students (20 per cent). If you fall into two categories, we will fund you for whichever one has the highest loading.

Payments will be made after census date each session.

For entry to the Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years), you'll need an approved Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualification. Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements apply.

Yes, you will complete all your studies online, except for the professional experience placement requirements. Professional experience placements can be secured in your local area, and in some cases, your current workplace.

Each subject you undertake will usually have a lecture and/or tutorial that you will need to attend online. However, most are recorded. Some subjects require you to engage in weekly tasks (through forum posts, tutorial attendance or similar). Check your subject outline for full requirements.

Even though you will study online, you are welcome to come to any Charles Sturt campus to use any of our facilities at any time: Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie, or Wagga Wagga. The libraries offer 24-hour access, and some campuses feature gyms, cafes and other facilities.

Yes, you will be required to undertake placement for the Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five). The 80-day practical component of the degree is an ACECQA accreditation program requirement. The placement days are completed across the degree as a combination of in-workplace and out-of-workplace experiences. You may be eligible for a 20-day reduction based on relevant experience.

If you have an approved Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, you'll be granted credit of 128 points (16 subjects) in recognition of prior study. This means you'll have only two years of remaining study (full-time equivalent).

A standard full-time study load is usually eight subjects per year. However, if you'd like to complete your degree in 18 months, you can expect to study four subjects across four consecutive sessions (which includes the summer session).

Yes, we have designed the program so you can work part-time whilst studying.

We're here to help with any questions you may have. Please contact us at CECP@csu.edu.au