Start Uni Now (SUN) for International Students

If you are a high performing student who wants to take on the challenge of tertiary level study, then SUN could be for you! Some of the benefits of starting university early with SUN include:

• Sneak peek: With SUN you will get an insight into university life and will be better prepared for the transition from high school to university.
• Direct Entry: After successful completion of SUN, you may be eligible to apply for direct entry into an undergraduate degree at CQUniversity (excluding quota managed courses). To be eligible for direct entry, you must:
  • pass at least one SUN unit from the undergraduate degree you are applying for
  • meet all of the prerequisites of the undergraduate degree you are applying for.
• Affordable: International high school students have the opportunity to undertake their first SUN unit for free (excluding textbooks and resource expenses), which is a saving of hundreds of dollars. Subsequent SUN units are offered at a full-time rate as per the current fee schedule.
• Credit Transfers*: If you enrol as a CQUniversity student after successful completion of senior high school, International Baccalaureate diploma or A Levels, you may be eligible to receive a credit transfer for each SUN unit you have passed. Provided these SUN units are part of your degree at the time of your undergraduate admission, a credit transfer would count towards your degree. This will reduce the number of units you need to study when you start university and may reduce the duration of your university course.
  
  *Credit transfers toward courses at other universities should be discussed with the relevant university.
• Meet tertiary entry requirements^: SUN offers a range of units which may assist you in satisfying tertiary entry pre-requisites for science and maths related subjects.

^Students intending to utilise SUN units in order to meet tertiary pre-requisites should discuss this with the SUN Team and/or the relevant university prior to enrolment.

You can choose CQUniversity units from a wide range of subject areas. These units are offered in specific terms and at certain campuses. When you select a unit, make sure it is available in the term you plan to study and at your preferred campus in Australia. Alternatively, check if it is offered online if that is your chosen study mode.

A wide range of CQUniversity units are available in the areas of:

• Allied Health
• Business and Accounting
• Creative and Performing Arts
• Digital Media, Communication and Arts
• Education and Teaching
• Engineering, Built Environment and Aviation
• Information Systems and Technology
• Nursing, Paramedicine and Health
• Psychology and Social Work
• Safety Sciences
• Science, Environment and Agriculture

See our comprehensive list of units available in SUN.

You can study SUN regardless of where you live. SUN units can be studied either on-campus (if you live in Australia) or online by online study. You can choose a way of studying that suits you best.

If you are already in Australia and are interested in studying your SUN unit on-campus, you may have the opportunity to do so at one of CQUniversity's many campus locations.

You will require regular access to the internet and it is strongly recommended that you have internet access available at home.

To be eligible for SUN, you must meet these requirements.

• Enrolled in Australian Year 10*, 11 or 12 (or an equivalent senior high school program such as the UK A Levels, International Baccalaureate, or Polytechnic program delivered in English).
• Achieving an average B grade (or higher) across all subjects based on your most recent report card^. Other qualifications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Have an English level of IELTS 5.5 overall with no band less than 5.5, or equivalent qualification. We also accept IGCSE/GSCE Grade C in English Language and International Baccalaureate MYP Certificate Grade 4 in English. Some courses have higher English language requirements. For more information, please visit our English Requirements page.

You will also require permission from your principal or school nominee and a parent or guardian. You can learn more about these requirements in the SUN Guide.

Additionally, if you are under 18 years old, you may not be accepted for study at CQUniversity until you turn 18.

If you are under 18 years old and studying in Australia on a student visa, your welfare must be maintained for the duration of your stay as part of visa conditions.

To meet these requirements, you must stay in Australia with a nominated guardian approved by the Department of Home Affairs. Your guardian can be a parent, person who has legal custody, or an eligible relative who is aged over 21 and is of good character.

*Year 10 students are eligible for Term 3 enrolment only.

^GSCE minimum C grade in all subjects, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Grade 4 in all subjects. 

As an international student, your first unit in the SUN program is free. Subsequent units will be charged at the full-time rate as per the 2026 Tuition Fees Schedule. In addition to the unit cost, there may be other expenses such as textbooks and resources. Fees must be paid up-front.

You will still have access to the same resources and support services as on-campus CQUniversity students.

Schools Engagement Team
A dedicated team who will assist you throughout your SUN study journey and help you to navigate the online learning environment.

Academic Learning Centre (ALC)
You will have full access to our ALC – a ‘one-stop-shop’ for information, advice and resources related to academic writing, mathematics, science and computing requirements of study at CQUniversity.

It is recommended that you dedicate between 10–12 hours of study to each of your enrolled units per week (over a 12–14 week period). Studying SUN units requires good time management skills, the ability to work independently and a proactive attitude. University study is very flexible and this allows you to work your study time around other commitments such as a part-time job or sport.