Notes

In 2023 the programs follows the Blocks calendar. The Academic Calendar and Important Dates webpage will allow you to view and download a copy of the important dates for the Blocks calendar.
The Tertiary Preparation Pathwayis a non-award program.

Back to top

Contact us

Back to top

Program aims

The Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) is committed to an inclusive and socially-just approach to learning and teaching that aims to broaden access to higher education by recognising and supporting diverse learners on their individual pathways to university study and their life goals. To these ends, the Pathway has two general aims. The first is to provide equitable access to tertiary studies. The second is to assist our students to succeed in undergraduate study. Both general aims are served through achievement of the more specific Pathway aims of developing confident, critical, curious, and reflective learners capable of success in undergraduate programs.

Back to top

Program objectives

Knowledge:

Students who have completed the courses required for entry to their chosen undergraduate studies will have the knowledge required to gain entry to and succeed at undergraduate level, which may include, depending upon the entry requirements, knowledge relating to:

• numeracy, academic literacy, digital literacy, and specific disciplinary knowledge;

• study management strategies;

• academic conventions;

• the values and processes underpinning knowledge use and creation at university including those of academic integrity; and

• culturally diverse learning environments.

Skills:

Students who have completed the courses required for entry to their chosen undergraduate studies will have the cognitive, technical, and communicative skills required to gain entry to and succeed at undergraduate level, including the abilities to:

• select, evaluate, and analyse information for a chosen purpose;

• design, develop, and communicate solutions in response to study tasks;

• communicate information effectively;

• participate successfully in academic communities;

• manage study projects independently.

Application of knowledge and skills:

Students who have completed the courses required for entry to their chosen undergraduate studies will have the confidence and capacity to apply the knowledge and skills required to gain entry to and succeed at undergraduate level, including the confidence and capacities to:

• select and apply methods and technologies appropriate to study tasks;

• demonstrate autonomy, judgement, and defined responsibility appropriate to the study context;

• employ individual, social, and career related capacities appropriate to the undergraduate study context;

• make informed study and career choices;

• participate respectfully and productively within a culturally diverse learning environment.

Back to top

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

There is no specified minimum educational achievement entrance standard.

Normally, to be eligible for enrolment in TPP a person will have attained an age of at least 18 years in the year of the proposed enrolment.

Applicants who intend to enrol in a mathematics and/or a Communicating at University course are strongly encouraged to complete Tertiary Preparation Pathway placement tests in Mathematics and Academic Literacy levels. Applicants will then be directed into the most appropriate courses in the TPP. For students who did not complete schooling in Australia these tests are mandatory. Students who do not undertake these tests and who wish to enrol in a Communicating at University and/or a mathematics course will be able to enrol in TPP0111 Communicating at University A and/or TPP0180 Introductory Mathematics during their first block of study.

This program normally requires a minimum of IELTS 5.5. English language proficiency or equivalent through study or employment. In exceptional circumstances, based on results of the TPP Academic Literacy Levels (ALL) placement test, alternative entry approval may be given.

Back to top

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Schedules.

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Schedule

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for FEE-Help.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, external or online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Schedules.

Back to top

Program structure

The Tertiary Preparation Pathway is designed flexibly to support each student to meet the entry requirements for their desired undergraduate degree program. Therefore, there is no single prescribed structure. Each applicant will enrol in the courses they require to satisfy their undergraduate program entry requirements.

It is strongly recommended that all applicants who intend to enrol in TPP0122 Study Management do so during their initial block.

An applicant's eligibility for initial enrolment in a particular TPP mathematics course will be determined from the results of their TPP placement test in mathematics, with the exception of TPP0180 Introductory Mathematics, which a student may enrol in without completing the mathematics placement test. A student’s eligibility to enrol in a TPP mathematics course subsequent to the student’s initial enrolment in a TPP mathematics course will be determined by the highest level TPP mathematics course that the student has successfully completed.

The optional additional courses are:

• TPP0111 Communicating at University A

• TPP0122 Study Management

• TPP0123 Communicating at University B

• TPP0145 Introduction to the Humanities

• TPP0155 General Science

• TPP0160 Preparatory Physics

• TPP0165

• TPP0175 Introduction to Psychology and Counselling

• TPP0180 Introductory Mathematics

• TPP0181 Elementary Mathematics

• TPP0182 General Mathematics

• TPP0183 Mathematical Methods

Students who are directed to enrol in TPP0111 Communicating at University A are required to successfully complete this before they will be enrolled in TPP0123 Communicating at University B.

Students who are directed to enrol in TPP0180 Introductory Mathematics are required to successfully complete this before they will be enrolled in any other TPP mathematics course.

Back to top

Program completion requirements

A student has successfully completed the pathway when they have attained the entry requirements for their desired undergraduate degree.

Back to top

Required time limits

The TPP is not subject to a maximum length of time to complete.

Back to top

IT requirements

Students who enrol in the online mode are required to have reliable and ready access to email and the Internet. For information technology requirements, please see the minimum computing standards.

Recommended enrolment pattern

Back to top

Recommended enrolment pattern

Program articulation map

Students enrolling in the TPP should seek advice regarding the entry requirement for their desired undergraduate program based upon their individual circumstances. The articulation map which follows provides a guideline for the selection of TPP courses in order to gain entry to and best prepare for each undergraduate program.

To complete TPP, students enrol in and complete the Required Courses for the undergraduate program of their choice. Enrolment in further TPP courses may help students prepare themselves for success in their undergraduate program.:

1. Required Courses – these must be completed to be eligible to apply for entry into specified undergraduate programs (TPP0111 Communicating at University A may be waived depending on the outcome of academic literacy placement test).

2. Assumed knowledge (A) and Recommended Study (R) – successful completion of these courses is highly recommended as the skills and knowledge gained through these courses is required for successful completion of undergraduate courses in specified undergraduate programs.

3. Other electives – other TPP courses (not shown on the table) may provide further valuable knowledge and skills that will increase success in undergraduate study.

Students who successfully complete the TPP courses as specified in the table below will be considered for direct entry into their undergraduate program.
Students who select TPP courses that vary from the table below will be assessed for undergraduate entry based on their performance (GPA) in their selected TPP courses.

TPP Course Offerings 2023

Students studying over two semesters

Example enrolment patterns for completion of the TPP within two (2) blocks are as follows (please note that enrolment patterns are individual and will vary depending upon prior qualifications and knowledge and desired future study. Students should seek advice based upon their individual circumstances) :

Students who are directed to initially enrol in TPP70111 Communicating at University A

Students who are eligible to initially enrol in TPP0123 Communicating at University B