Recent School Leaver Applicants
As a recent school leaver, your application process to apply is similar whether you finished school in the last year, or three years ago. However, the process is affected by whether you completed Year 12 or left school early.
I completed Year 12
If completed Year 12, apply online via QTAC, the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre.
Your Year 12 results (such as OP or selection rank) do not expire once you have left school. These results will be considered along with other qualifications and work experience you may have.
Each course has its own entry requirements, to ensure you're ready to jump into your new career, find your course and refer to Admission Requirements in the Handbook section.
Applications for Semester 1 (February intake) open in August of the previous year. Find out more. Many courses accept enrolment in Semester 2 (July intake). Mid-year applications close in July, for immediate start.
Once you’ve decided which course you wish to study, you can start the application process. If you have any questions along the way the JCU team is here to help.
Apply online via QTAC.
Congratulations! Once your application is assessed and approved you'll receive an offer via email. For mature students (the term mature students includes anyone who has already received their Year 12 selection rank), this can be in less than two weeks for many courses.
I left school without completing Year 12
If you left school before completing Year 12, or you finished Year 12 but did not receive an OP or equivalent selection rank (such as ATAR), JCU offers a variety of pathway courses to enable you to qualify for a degree program.
The six-month Tertiary Access Course (TAC) provides you with an understanding of academic practices, develops your ability to analyse and evaluate information, and improves your skills in areas such as communication, computing, and team work.
In addition to these skills, TAC will provide you with the formal pre-requisite academic skills (literacy and numeracy) to enter and succeed in JCU undergraduate studies. Find out more information about TAC and how to enrol.
You have the option to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) via QTAC, which is a two-hour aptitude test and may show you are ready to step straight into an undergraduate course.
JCU offers diploma courses, which consist of a combination of introductory and first-year degree subjects. The JCU Diploma of Higher Education provides you with a formal qualification and credit towards future study if you wish to continue at JCU. It is a one-year course (or two years, part-time) designed to meet the academic requirements for entry into a Bachelor’s degree.
To apply for the Diploma, students need to be 17 years old at the time of application. All students are encouraged to contact a Pathway Programs Student Support Advisor to discuss their options.
Each course has its own entry requirements, to ensure you're ready to jump into your new career, find your course and refer to Admission Requirements in the Handbook section.
Applications for Semester 1 (February intake) open in August of the previous year. Find out more. Many courses accept enrolment in Semester 2 (July intake). Mid-year applications close in July, for immediate start.
If you have any questions along the way the JCU team is here to help.
If you’re applying for a JCU Diploma of Higher Education, speak to a Pathway Programs Student Support Advisor and then apply online via QTAC.
If you are considering any other pathway course or would like some advice on next steps, you also have the option to book a call with a JCU advisor.
Congratulations! Once your application is assessed and approved you'll receive an offer via email. For mature students (the term mature students includes anyone who finished school over a year ago), this can be in less than two weeks for many courses.
Contact us if you have any questions
If you have any questions about applying, or would like to talk to someone about your options the JCU team are here to help.
Check out our FAQ page where you can see common questions, and also speak to the JCU team via live chat or book a call.