Work and Life Experience
There are several ways of obtaining an entry score (also known as a selection rank), for your application. Depending on your work and life experience, you may be eligible for multiple entry scores, and if that’s the case, the highest one will be used to assess your eligibility for your course.
In addition to meeting the entry score requirement for your course, you may also have to satisfy pre-requisites.
You can learn more about entry scores and pre-requisites in the Requirements section of our course pages.
Your Entry Score
Your Year 12 result (OP or ATAR score) does not expire once you have left school and can be used when you apply to study with CQU.
Additional qualifications that you completed while at school could also be considered, such as your Senior External Examination results.
If you have completed eight university units or a complete degree you will receive a selection rank.
Other formal, post-secondary professional and paraprofessional qualifications could also provide you with an entry score (including some creative arts, language and civil aviation qualifications, memberships of professional associations for which qualifying exams are undertaken, and police, and emergency defence force service).
If you have completed an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, you will receive a selection rank.
Learn more about selection ranks allocated for this study on our Vocational Education and Training page.
If you are an applicant with work experience, generally this means that you will have more than six months of work experience, in paid employment. Your employment experience does not need to relate to the course you are interested in. Your work experience may be used to help you gain a selection rank and this selection rank that may be used on your application.
As part of the process, you will need to document your employment by providing a statement from your employer outlining the role you performed. If you are self-employed, this statement will need to be provided by your accountant, solicitor or tax agent. Find out more about including work experience in your application including how experience is assessed, and how to document your employment.
Not all courses accept work experience as an entry pathway, so check your course page or get in touch with us to find out what the best entry pathway option is for you and your course of interest.
The STAT may be an option if you do not have formal academic qualifications. The STAT is a two-hour aptitude test, that tests your readiness and ability to undertake further tertiary study and provides you with a selection rank that may be used on your application.
Age restrictions do apply. Learn more about sitting the STAT on the QTAC page.
Not all courses accept a STAT result as an entry pathway, so if you are thinking of sitting the STAT, contact us to find out whether it is the right entry pathway option for you and your course of interest.
Your military service and experience may prepare you for study with CQU.
Upon completing general training in the armed services and serving for at least 12 months, you will receive a selection rank that qualifies you for various degrees at CQU.
Minimum Selection Rank
The selection ranks that will be awarded are based on your rank attained during your service as outlined below. You will still be required to meet course pre-requisites and other entry requirements.
Note: Gap-year service for recent high school graduates does not attract a standalone ranking.
Air Force
| Rank | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| Wing Commander | 88.00 |
| Squadron Leader | 87.00 |
| Flight Lieutenant | 86.00 |
| Flying Officer | 85.00 |
| Sergeant | 84.00 |
| Two years' service | 82.00 |
| Australian Armed Forces Ready Reserve Scheme (12–23 months' service) | 78.00 |
Army
| Rank | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant-Colonel | 88.00 |
| Major | 87.00 |
| Captain | 86.00 |
| Lieutenant | 85.00 |
| Sergeant | 84.00 |
| Two years' service | 82.00 |
| Australian Armed Forces Ready Reserve Scheme (12–23 months' service) | 78.00 |
Navy
| Rank | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| Commander | 88.00 |
| Lieutenant Commander | 87.00 |
| Lieutenant | 86.00 |
| Sub-Lieutenant | 85.00 |
| Petty Officer | 84.00 |
| Two years' service | 82.00 |
| Australian Armed Forces Ready Reserve Scheme (12–23 months' service) | 78.00 |
Useful Links
Apply for Undergraduate Degrees
Ready to apply for an undergraduate degree? Discover the best way to apply for your individual circumstances.
Application Information
Getting ready to apply to study with CQU? Find important dates and other information you’ll need to consider in the application process.
Apply for Entry Pathways
Find quick links to apply for our SUN, STEPs or STN entry pathways courses.
