Careers - Secondary Teaching - English

A career in English teaching

In NSW and other Australian states prospective English teachers usually need to be qualified to teach in English and in one other secondary school teaching subject (curriculum area) or in Counselling. If you are interested in a career as an English teacher you would normally be required to complete university studies in:

• English Literature
• a second teaching subject discipline (e.g. Drama, History, a Language, a Social Science, Mathematics or TESOL) or in Counselling
• Education as a social science
• professional and curriculum studies (teaching methodology)

Coursework (degree) options for prospective English teachers

The University of Sydney offers these alternative ways of gaining a qualification as a teacher of English:

• a Bachelor of Education program (4 years full-time study). This is an undergraduate course for school leavers.
• a Bachelor of Arts (or an equivalent undergraduate qualification) followed be either a Master of Teaching or a Bachelor of Teaching (5-years or 4 and a half years of full-time study)
• a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Humanities and Social Sciences) joint degree program (5 years full-time study). This is an undergraduate course for school leavers.
• a graduate Master of Teaching or a Bachelor of Teaching (of 3 or 4 semesters respectively) for graduates with a first degree with a major or a minor in English (or related discipline).

Prerequisite and recommended studies: School leavers

The Standard English subject is the recommended subject for those intending to apply for admission to an undergraduate course in English teacher education at the University. History (Ancient or Modern) would also provide a good background for those intending to be English teachers.

UAI Entry levels

To view the minimum UAI entry scores in recent years for those courses which lead directly (or indirectly with subsequent postgraduate study) to a teaching qualification in secondary school English teaching, click here.

Prerequisite studies: Graduates

Graduates with a first degree which includes studies appropriate to teaching in English may be eligible for admission to the Master of Teaching/Bachelor of Teaching program. Entry into the postgraduate MTeach/BTeach course is competitive and will be based upon the following criteria and interview:

• completion of a major in English (literature) in an appropriate undergraduate degree
• completion of a minor in a second teaching subject discipline area
• level of achievement in undergraduate studies (grade average)
• good communication skills
• demonstrated commitment to teaching as a profession

Undergraduate studies which are generally appropriate for English teaching include:

• English Literature
• Australian Literature
• Media Studies
• Drama

For more information see the postgraduate Master of Teaching/Bachelor of Teaching program