Alternative programs
If you didn’t finish Year 12, complete the required prerequisites, or get the rank you needed, don't worry. TAFE Queensland can help you on your journey though to university studies with a variety of alternative programs.
Our Adult Tertiary Preparation (ATP) course is for anyone wanting to gain or improve their ranking in order to study at university.
ATP is recognised as a Year 12 alternative and is ideal for adults who’ve been away from formal study for some time. Successful completion of the course will allow you to apply to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) for a tertiary ranking and will give you the university entrance pre-requisites in English, maths, and science.
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Unilearn offers a 100 per cent online option to help you on your pathway to university. The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has recognised these courses as eligible to contribute credits towards earning your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) upon successful completion.
Offered through a supportive online environment, that means you can complete the subjects you need to meet university entrance eligibility requirements and get Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) credits. Unilearn also offers the Unilearn Ready Program which allows you to achieve a QTAC selection rank.
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Our certificate courses are designed to give you hands-on skills and introductory theory that will equip you to confidently seek employment in your chosen industry.
Diploma courses are more in depth and perfect if you want to advance your career, build on your existing skills, and/or prepare for university study.
With a wide range of study areas and a variety of ways to study available, we have a course to help you achieve your goals.
Find a courseImprove your selection rank
Completing any TAFE Queensland certificate III, certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, or associate degree may improve your QTAC selection rank and allow you to get into your dream university degree. Another added benefit of studying this way is that you can start working in your industry straight away, using your certificate or diploma skills while you finish off your degree.
VET qualifications for tertiary selection
Successfully completed VET qualifications, at a certificate III level or higher, may be used for tertiary selection in two ways as:
- an input into an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), and/or
- a stand-alone basis or tertiary admission (this may also apply to non-ATAR eligible applicants, for example mature aged students)
Education institutions may allocate a selection rank depending on the level of VET qualification completed. The below table is a general guide only. Please contact your preferred higher education provider to confirm their current guidelines regarding admissions. Additional admissions policies may also apply for recent year 12 graduates with completed VET qualifications. For more information visit the QTAC website.
| Course | Approximate selection rank* | Maximum QTAC selection rank (using PLA) |
| Certificate III | 68.00 | 82.00 |
| Certificate IV | 74.00 | 89.00 |
| Diploma | 82.00-87.00 | 91.00 |
| Advanced Diploma / Associate Degree | 91.00 | 98.00 |
| Course | Approximate selection rank* | Maximum QTAC selection rank (using PLA) |
| Completed Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (10765NAT) | 79.00 | 91.00 |
* Based on grade point average (GPA) equivalent of 4.
From 2020, the Overall Position (OP) for Queensland year 12 students will be replaced by the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). This means that ATARs will be introduced for students who start Year 11 in 2019 and graduate from the end of 2020. The ATAR is used nationally for tertiary admissions and indicates a student’s position relative to other students. It will be used for tertiary admissions from 2021 for Queensland students. The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) will calculate ATARs for Queensland school leavers.
Study a degree with TAFE Queensland
TAFE Queensland have partnered with some of Australia’s most respected universities to provide you with up-to-date skills for a changing workforce, along with the adaptable thinking needed to make your mark in any industry.
Our contemporary degrees are delivered in a practical, job-focused learning environment meaning you get the best of both worlds — the theoretical side of a university degree, with the applied-learning style that makes TAFE Queensland graduates so highly sought after by employers.
Diploma-to-degree academic pathways
Our diploma-to-degree pathways allow you to complete a diploma and bachelor degree in the time it usually takes to complete a degree alone. You'll graduate ahead of the pack with academic knowledge backed up by real-world skills. Studying this way may save you time and money, and will give you a head start in the job market allowing you to put your diploma skills into practice in the industry while you complete your degree qualification.
