Academic Requirements

Country equivalents

You need to meet the minimum academic requirements for your chosen course, as outlined on the specific course page or in our student handbook. These academic requirements vary depending on the course.

The following details the Australian academic requirements, as well as special considerations and credit transfers (also known as recognition of prior learning). 

CQUniversity also recognises international qualifications obtained from around the world. To see how your qualifications compare to Australian standards, refer to the country-specific academic requirements document.

If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, please view our alternative academic pathways.

Diploma

Successfully completed one of the following:

  • Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
  • AQF Certificate IV (or equivalent)

Undergraduate

Successfully completed one of the following:

  • Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)
  • Australian Certificate IV (or equivalent)
  • Approved university foundation studies

If you have successfully completed a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma (or equivalent) you may gain credit towards your CQUniversity course. 

Postgraduate Coursework

Successfully completed the following:

  • A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with an Australian pass grade average in the final two terms.

Postgraduate Research

Successfully completed one of the following:

  • An honours degree in a relevant discipline
  • A three-year undergraduate degree plus a graduate diploma at a high academic level
  • A three-year undergraduate degree at a high academic level plus at least one year of relevant work experience
  • A three- or four-year undergraduate degree with a credit-level GPA (preferably in a relevant discipline)
  • CQUniversity Graduate Certificate in Research with distinction-level achievement
  • Alternative qualifications and/or experience deemed equivalent by the Research Higher Degrees Committee (RHDC)

In addition to meeting the academic entry requirements, you must select your research area of interest as well as find your research supervisor.

Special Consideration

Special consideration for admission into our courses may be granted if you do not have formal academic qualifications but have completed other forms of post-secondary study (e.g. professional qualifications) and have relevant work experience. You should submit full details with your application.

Credit Transfers

You may be able to apply for credit from your previous academic qualifications. When you apply, we will assess your prior qualifications on a case-by-case basis and may award you with credit towards the course you wish to study. You must submit full details of qualifications with your application and consult with us or one of our agents in your country.

CQUniversity also has formal articulation arrangements with a number of Australian and international institutions. Please refer to our articulation database for a full list of qualifications and institutions that have pathways into CQUniversity.