Work and Life Experience

If you received a Year 12 result (OP or ATAR score) this result 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 AQF Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma you will receive a selection rank. Visit our TAFE and VET qualification page for a guide to the selection ranks allocated for this study.

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.

Apply via the relevant Tertiary Admission Centre or application portal as outlined in apply undergraduate or on your course page.

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (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, find out more about sitting the STAT.

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 CQUniversity. 

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 CQUniversity - the selection ranks that will be awarded based on your rank attained during your service are outlined below. 

You will still be required to meet course pre-requisites and other entry requirements.

Meeting minimum selection rank

NOTE: Gap-year service for recent high school graduates does not attract a standalone ranking.

Military Academic Pathway Program

If you’re an Australian Defence Force veteran who is thinking about going to university, the Military Academic Pathway Program (MAPP) is designed to give you a taste of university life. It's a four-week intensive study boot camp completed on-campus at CQUniversity Townsville. You will develop essential academic skills and knowledge, as well as positive study habits to ensure you begin your university studies with confidence.