Which pathway is right for me?

If you completed Year 12 in the last three years and achieved an ATAR (or equivalent), you can apply for entry to your preferred bachelor’s degree at JCU directly through the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC).

If you do not meet the entry requirements for your chosen course, JCU may offer you a QTAC packaged offer, where you receive an offer into JCU Prep and your preferred bachelor’s course at the same time. JCU Prep is a fee-free* pathway program for domestic students to acquire the pre-requisite knowledge needed for entry into their chosen degree.** Study can be completed in as little as three months.

Applications for JCU's Trimester/Semester One (January/February) intake open in August of the previous year. For information about mid-year semester and trimester dates, refer to the JCU Academic Calendar.

For more information on QTAC Admissions you can watch our recent QTAC Information Webinar on YouTube. Watch our Pathways Webinar to help you determine which Pathway into JCU works best for you.

If you left school before Year 12 or you completed Year 12 but didn’t receive an ATAR (or equivalent) JCU Prep can prepare you with the skills and knowledge required to apply for your chosen bachelor’s degree.** Covering a range of foundational and pre-requisite subjects, this pathway program is open to all domestic students (students must be turning 18 years of age in their first year of study) and has no associated course fees.*

If you know the general field of study you would like to enter, an alternative pathway into a bachelor’s degree is via a one-year course entry diploma. Learn in a supportive environment as you gain a foundational knowledge and skills in Engineering or Health.

On completion of JCU Prep or a discipline diploma, you can apply directly to JCU for entry into select JCU bachelor’s degrees.^{^}

If you have a VET or TAFE qualification, you may be able to gain Guaranteed Entry into a number of JCU courses. This qualification could also be eligible for credit towards your chosen Bachelor’s degree.** For more information on Guaranteed Entry and the courses available, visit the VET/TAFE webpage.

JCU Prep is a free*, non-award pathway program available to all Australian citizens and permanent residents. No prior qualifications or experience are required for entry into the program and study can be completed in less than twelve months. The flexibility of this program means that you will only complete the subjects you require for future entry into your chosen degree.** Upon completion you will have a foundational subject knowledge relevant to your chosen degree area and be well-placed to transition to your Bachelor’s study.

Completing a course entry diploma can provide an alternate pathway into certain JCU degrees. You will gain a foundational knowledge and skills specific to the fields of Engineering or Health. On successful completion of your studies you will obtain a diploma qualification and can choose to transition into a Bachelor’s degree related to your diploma qualification.^{^}

If you hold a VET or TAFE qualification you may be able to gain Guaranteed Entry into a number of JCU courses. This qualification could also be eligible for credit towards entry into your chosen Bachelor’s degree.** For more information on Guaranteed Entry and the courses available visit the VET/TAFE webpage.

For students who know the general area of study that they would like to pursue at an undergraduate level, course entry diplomas offer an alternate pathway into university study. Successful completion of these one-year full-time (two-years part-time) courses⁺, can gain you entry into select Business, Engineering and Information Technology (IT) focused degrees. Graduates also emerge with a diploma award.

The Diploma of Higher Education is a one-year full-time (or two years part-time) university preparatory course for international students, combining a range of introductory and first-year degree subjects. Designed to meet the academic requirements for entry into a Bachelor’s degree, completion of this course will see you graduate with a formal qualification and credit towards future entry into many JCU Bachelor’s degrees. This course is available to study at JCU Cairns or JCU Townsville.