Our selection process

JCU’s Diploma of Higher Education¹ is an “open access” course, which means that all applicants are eligible to receive an offer subject to English language proficiency requirements and JCU’s admission rules.

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How we select

JCU’s Bachelor degree courses have a minimum rank threshold (sometimes called a “cut-off”) that all applicants must meet in order to be considered for an offer, which is in addition to any admission requirements such as pre-requisites.  For high demand courses, simply meeting this threshold will not guarantee an offer as places are limited and there may also be additional selection criteria used.  

What we consider

If you are a current Year 12 student you will be considered on your OP/ATAR including any bonus ranks that you are eligible for.  If you have undertaken study at certificate III level or higher then this will also be considered.

All other applicants will be considered on the basis of their selection rank will is calculated from secondary and post-secondary study (including bridging, certificate and tertiary level); paid employment experience; as well as any bonus ranks that you may be eligible for.

Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Physiotherapy

Current Year 12 applicants or those with a single gap year or less than one semester of full time equivalent study will be considered on the basis of their OP/ATAR and performance in special selection criteria, such as interview and written application.

All other applicants are considered on the basis of tertiary study, specifically the Grade Point Average (GPA) from their most recent course.

How we select

Our postgraduate degrees have Admissions Requirements which must be met by all applicants.

To view the Admission Requirements: find your course at Courses and Degrees and then refer to the Admissions Requirements section under the Handbook heading.

What we consider

Applicants will generally be considered for an offer on the basis of their undergraduate degree, however some courses also have additional selection criteria such as an interview, referee report or a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement.

Regional Preference Scheme

This scheme assists residents of regional and remote areas of Queensland to gain entry into JCU through an automatic adjustment of an applicant’s ATAR by two bonus points.

The Regional Preference Scheme is open to domestic applicants who reside in regional and remote Queensland (postcodes 4306 through to 4895). The scheme can’t be used for entry to postgraduate degrees, graduate entry programs and courses with special application requirements.

Applicants do not apply for this scheme. The bonus ranks are automatically applied at the time of application.

Adjustments are cumulative up to a maximum of ten (10) rankings and some exceptions apply.

More information is available through the Year 12 Student Success Package.

Subject Adjustment Scheme

This scheme allows for an automatic adjustment for subjects that require a high level of skill and knowledge that are successfully completed in high school.

The Subject Adjustment Scheme is open to all domestic and international applicants completing Year 12 and can’t be used for entry to postgraduate degrees, graduate entry programs and courses with special application requirements.

Applicants do not apply for this scheme. The bonus ranks are automatically applied at the time of application.

Adjustments are cumulative up to a maximum of ten (10) rankings and some exceptions apply.

More information is available through the Year 12 Student Success Package.

JCU participates in QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS) which recognises applicants who have been educationally disadvantaged due to: financial hardship, home environment and responsibilities, English language difficulty, personal illness and disability or educational disruption.

This scheme is open to domestic applicants who apply through QTAC, but does not apply to courses with special application requirements.

Applicants apply for this scheme through QTAC.