Change of Preference Period Explainer

Young student with teacher in office
Finished Year 12? Congrats! Well done! You’ve completed your exams and are officially a high school grad. Now it’s time to take the next step toward your future.

There are many reasons you might want to change your university preferences—maybe your ATAR was higher or lower than expected, or perhaps you’ve had a change of mind about the course you want to study in 2025.

When your ATAR results are released, you’ll have the opportunity to update your course preferences before the main round of university offers. Unsure where to start? No worries—CQUniversity is here to support you every step of the way.

Key Dates for the Change of Preference Period

Ensure you stay on top of these important dates:

EventDate
ATAR Results Released13 December 2024
CQU’s Change of Preference Online Chat13 December 2024
Change of Preference Deadline18 December 2024 (11:59pm)
First Round CQU Offers23 December 2024
Main Round Offers16 January 2025
Term 1 Starts at CQU10 March 2025

Top Tips for Changing Your Preferences

How to order your course preferences

  • Preferences 1 and 2: List your dream courses—these are the ones you’re most passionate about and really want to study.
  • Preferences 3 and 4: Choose courses that align with your interests but offer a greater chance of receiving an offer. These act as solid backup options.
  • Preferences 5 and 6: Include alternative degree options you're happy to study that offer a clear path to your goals. These should be courses you're confident will lead to an offer.
  • More information is available on the QTAC website.

Be aware of deadlines

Some courses may have early cut-off dates, so don’t miss your chance! Check if any preferences have fixed closing dates.

Explore pathway options with CQU

 If your ATAR wasn’t what you expected, remember that CQU offers plenty of alternative pathways to help you achieve your goals. 

Apply for scholarships

While adjusting your preferences, explore scholarship opportunities to support your study journey at CQU. 

Deadlines to Remember

  • 13 December 2024: ATAR results released
  • 18 December 2024: Final day to change preferences for the main round of offers

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