Demand for university teaching degrees in Bendigo appears to be waning ahead of earmarked changes to course selection criteria.
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Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre data shows 1700 graduates sought the chance to enrol in Victorian teaching courses this year, 1000 fewer than in the previous year.
La Trobe University Associate Professor Joanna Barbousas said the number of graduates applying for teaching courses in Bendigo had also fallen since 2016.
But the head of education said the lower demand was not unexpected, nor did it mean there were fewer employment opportunities for graduates.
“There are, particularly in regional settings, employment opportunities,” she said.
“In the Bendigo area, we find we have a lot of our graduates go on to get work.
“Issues around employment, go above and beyond being a teacher, like the casualisation of a whole range of sectors.”
The drop in applications comes as the Victorian government begins to require prospective educators to achieve minimum ATAR scores before enrolling in a teaching degree, as well as introducing numeracy and literacy tests for those studying education.
In 2018, undergraduates will need a score of at least 65 to win a spot in a teaching program. That threshold will rise to 70 in 2019.
But the stricter eligibility criteria could encourage, not deter, people from choosing to train as teachers, Associate Professor Barbousas said.
“It might actually increase in years to come if people are seeing it as an highly-valued opportunity,” she said.
Still, the university is offering a Bachelor of Educational Studies, which Associate Professor Barbousas described as a “pathway program” for students who fail to meet the minimum ATAR requirement.
Students who achieve high grade point averages can then transfer into La Trobe teaching degrees.
Associate Professor Barbousas also reminded prospective students who did not receive an offer on their first attempt they may be successful in subsequent rounds.
Those interested in studying at La Trobe are also encouraged to contact the university directly, she said.
Placements in university undergraduate degrees are released tomorrow.
Mark Kearney
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
