Admission

Admission Levels

Admission to most CQU programs is based on general academic achievement determined from formal educational attainment or from an assessment of experience, achievements and non-formal study. Certain programs require prerequisite knowledge. In particular circumstances, or in line with policies or initiatives of the University, other criteria may be taken into account in the determination of the Admission Level for the selection of students.

Admission to undergraduate programs offered by CQU is based on the admission level of applicants and limited by the targets, quotas or subquotas determined by the University.

Students may also be admitted to award programs under equity schemes, sponsorship or funding arrangements approved by the University.

The admission level is the basic measure of academic merit for tertiary admission purposes, as issued by the Tertiary Procedures Entrance Authority (TEPA), Board of Senior Secondary School Studies (BSSSS) or derived from approved schedules or other processes.

A schedule is a table or list of conversions which is accepted by the University for use in selection for admission.

Schedules include rules applying to their use, usually in the form of footnotes.

Applications for almost all undergraduate admission to CQU are processed by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Most schedules used by CQU are based on standard QTAC schedules.

The University uses two different formats of the admission level:

• The Student Education Profile, consisting of Overall Position (OP) and Field Position (FP), issued by TEPA for most applicants completing Queensland Year 12 by full-time schooling from 1992; and
• Ranks which are derived from Tertiary Entrance (TE) scores issued by BSSSS prior to 1992 or from schedules or other processes.

The numeric ranges of these formats of the admission level are:

• OP: 1 (highest) to 25
• FP: 1 (highest) to 10
• Ranks: 99 (highest) to 1

Minimum admission requirements expressed within the Student Education Profile system or in ranks will be as determined by the University to achieve equitable admission arrangements among the various categories of applicants in accordance with University policy. Minimum admission requirements may vary for different categories or sub-categories of applicants as may be determined by the University.

Application to Undergraduate Programs

All applicants for admission to undergraduate programs are regarded as first year students and must apply for a quota place.

Applicants seeking advanced standing (credit transfer) should apply for first year entry. Consideration of credit or exemption will only be given after the acceptance of a quota place.

There are two different types of QTAC application categories, each with two separate means of making an application:-

• Applications for current Year 12 students: Applicants who are completing Year 12 at a secondary school in the current year make a direct application to QTAC by either applying online via the ‘Twelve to Tertiary’ (TTT) service at QTAC’s website: www.qtac.edu.au or, by using QTAC’s 1900 phone application system on 1900 971 166.
• All other applications: All other applicants for admission are encouraged to use QTAC’s Apply by Web service at www.qtac.edu.au. Alternatively, those without Internet access may use the paper QTAC application form. The paper QTAC application form may be purchased from QTAC or most Queensland Newsagencies in July as part of the QTAC Guide: Tertiary Courses 2002. The guide is also distributed free of charge to all current Year 12 students in June or July. Otherwise, call 1300 360 444 to arrange for the University to post a paper QTAC application form directly to you.

Applicants may list up to six program preferences on the QTAC application form. These must be listed in strict order of preference and should only include programs for which an applicant would accept an offer.

An offer is made for the highest preference program for which the applicant is eligible. The application is then no longer considered in that round of offers in respect of any program listed as a lower preference.

Applicants must meet the prerequisites for any program for which they apply.

Applications should be received at QTAC by the nominated closing date. Late applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable late fee.

QTAC compiles and publishes a comprehensive and informative guide on Queensland tertiary programs.

Some undergraduate programs may require applicants to provide additional information or conduct an interview/audition.

Those wishing to apply for the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music need to apply to QTAC and the Conservatorium by the last Friday in September of the year preceding entry. Application forms for the Conservatorium may be obtained by calling
07 4940 7800.

Admission Criteria (QTAC)

An applicant may apply for a quota place in a program of study on the basis of one or more of the
following criteria.

Standard Admission (Queensland School Leavers - Overall Position Eligible)

The Admission Level for applicants who complete Queensland Year 12 by full-time schooling in 1992 and afterwards will be based on the Student Education Profile issued by TEPA. The Student Education Profile will consist of an Overall Position (OP) and Field Positions (FP) in some of the fields A, B, C, D or E.

Selection

Step 1: Applicants who have satisfied the stated prerequisites and have obtained an OP band will be considered in order of OP band, band 1 (the highest) being considered before band 2, down to the absolute/designated cut-off band/score.

Step 2: All qualified applicants in each OP band above that required to fill the quota will be offered places.

Standard Admission (Queensland School Leavers - Overall Position Ineligible)

Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools.

Central Queensland University is supportive of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools concept in place within Queensland Secondary Schools. Students undertake VET subjects embedded in Board subjects which are reported on their Senior Certificate and included in OP calculations and issued on the Tertiary Entrance Statement. Where students undertake VET subjects as either Board-registered subjects, or as stand alone VET, these students may not be eligible to receive a Tertiary Entrance Statement, and therefore an OP will not be calculated.

However, students who do not receive an OP, may still be eligible to gain a place in some tertiary programs on the basis of their achievements in all subjects reported on the Senior Certificate (provided that they have studied any prerequisite Board subjects and achieved the level specified), and if available their result in the Queensland Core Skills Test (QCST). These students may be assigned a rank based on schedules developed by QTAC. Such students are strongly encouraged to contact QTAC for further information.

Standard Admission (Queensland Previous School Leavers)

This refers to applicants who completed Year 12 as full-time secondary school students in Queensland other than in the most recent school year, or who have completed the requirements for part-time, external senior examination candidates.

The Admission Level is based on results provided by BSSSS, or the relevant schedules as may be appropriate. In the case of TE Scores issued by BSSSS, the Rank is determined by deleting the last digit of the TE Score (e.g. TE Scores 915 and 910 translate to Rank 91).

Standard Admission (Combined Mode)

This category applies to applicants who have completed Year 12 as full-time secondary school students in Queensland and obtained BSSSS results, and who have, additionally, successfully completed one or more external senior courses, the Admission Level is based on the relevant Schedule.

Standard Admission (Interstate School Leavers)

This category is for applicants who have completed programs of secondary study in a State or Territory of Australia other than Queensland and who seek admission on the basis of achievement at secondary school.

The Admission Level is based on the relevant QTAC Schedule for the year, state or territory in which study was completed.

Standard Admission (Australian Tertiary Achievement)

This category applies to applicants who have attempted or completed, and are not currently excluded from, programs of study at an Australian tertiary institution.

The Admission Level is based on the relevant Schedule. The section entitled “Exclusion Cases” in this handbook refers to applicants who have been previously excluded from any tertiary institution or tertiary program of study.

Standard Admission (Overseas Qualification)

Applicants in this sub-category are Australian or New Zealand citizens or persons holding permanent resident status in Australia, who have completed programs of secondary or tertiary studies overseas to the appropriate standard, based on the Admission Level given by the relevant schedules. Advice on these schedules is available from the University.

Applicants must also demonstrate that they have a satisfactory command of the English language to enable them to pursue the program of study to which admission is sought. English language test results or other relevant documentation should be submitted with the application.

Non-School Leavers

The University recognises that preparation for tertiary study is not restricted to formal educational attainment and that prospective students may have valuable skills which have been gained through wide ranging “life” and work experiences.

CQU welcomes applications from persons of at least 18 years of age, who do not have formal qualifications for entry, but who seek admission to programs on the basis of their educational and skills developed through experience and informal study.

Admission may be sought on the grounds of academic, occupational, learned or other achievement or on the grounds of personal aptitude for study.

Each case is considered on its merit and the admission level is determined on the basis of evidence of achievement and of the candidate’s interest in, and capacity to work in, the broad field of study to which admission is sought.

Admission is restricted to applicants who:

• have attained the age of 18 years by 1 January in the year of commencement of the proposed program;
• do not qualify for admission on the basis of formal educational attainment; and
• seek admission on grounds of academic, occupational, learned or other achievement or on grounds of personal aptitude for study in the University.

Applicants may include those who:

• have undertaken some formal studies, such as distance education Senior subjects, but who have not completed requirements for standard admission;
• have undertaken tertiary preparation programs, such as the Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies and Women into Science and Technology programs or other preparatory schemes recognised by the University;
• have undertaken assessment through the QTAC-administered Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) or other form of generally recognised testing; or
• have successfully completed at least two courses in the Open Learning Program, OLAA, OLN or similar.

In many cases, the admission level will be determined on the basis of multiple, combined or accumulative criteria, taking account of the applicants’ profiles.

Admission levels for such applicants are determined on the basis of an appropriate schedule, guidelines or, where necessary, through the exercise of discretion by the University.

Alternative Criteria

Admission under this criteria provides for factors other than formally recognised educational attainment to be taken into account to determine applicants’
admission levels.

Admissions within this category may include:

• applicants admitted within the provisions of approved equity programs including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tertiary Access program;
• applicants admitted on the basis of Queensland Year 12 full-time schooling who are ineligible to receive a Student Education Profile, OP or TE score (such applicants may be assigned an admission level according to the relevant schedule); or
• applicants admitted on the basis of supplementary information, including compassionate grounds.

In determining the admission levels for these applicants, additional information which may be considered includes:

• advice from schools and guidance officers;
• rankings and other data provided by the educational institutions involved; and
• results of special tests (including STAT) or other assessment methods designated to increase the information available for considering applicants’ profiles more fully.

Australian International Campuses

CQU’s Australian International Campuses are located in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Fiji, Melbourne and Sydney. These campuses host predominantly international full-fee-paying students; however, full-fee-paying places are available to domestic students.

Students wishing to study at one of the CQU International campuses should apply directly to the campus of interest.

Students wishing to apply to study at the Melbourne International Campus may also apply through VTAC; however, application outcomes are accelerated through direct application. Application to VTAC can be made online at www.vtac.edu.au or by phoning
1902 241 114.

Admission may be based on several criteria such as those described above.

(CQU’s CRICOS Provider Codes: Queensland -00219C; Sydney - 01315F; Melbourne: 01624D.)

Admission by Direct Application

Students will apply directly to the University in the following cases:

• if they are applying for Honours and Postgraduate coursework programs;
• if they are applying for postgraduate research programs;
• if they are international or full-fee-paying students;
• if they are enrolled at a tertiary institution other than CQU and wish to undertake CQU courses for credit towards their award programs (cross-institutional);
• if they are seeking enrolment into single non-award course or courses without undertaking an award program; or
• if they are applying for readmission to a CQU program.

Some CQU undergraduate programs are direct entry due to their industry associations. This information is published under each program. Application forms are available by phoning the Course Enquiry Hotline on 1300 360 444. An online application form is available for new postgraduate and direct entry applicants as well as students seeking readmission. Go to the CQU website at www.cqu.edu.au. Cross-institutional and single non-award applicants are not permitted to apply online.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

International applicants for all degree programs are required to have an acceptable level of competence in understanding, speaking, reading and writing English. Students wishing to undertake undergraduate programs and/or postgraduate coursework and research programs are required to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS (International English Language Testing Score) band score of 6 (with an individual band score of no less than 5), or a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550, including a TWE of 4 (computer-based score of 213).

Exceptions to the above include programs which have built-in English language support and/or credit award courses specifically designed to improve a student’s English capabilities.