If you have applied for the Tertiary Preparation Pathway or are ready to commence in this program, please find essential information below. For more information, contact Student Central.

Choosing which TPP courses to study

Before you decide which TPP courses you should study, consider where you would like the TPP program to take you. Start by referring to the undergraduate programs that are offered at USC and decide which program you would like to study once you have completed TPP.

Once you establish which undergraduate program you are interested in, check the recommended TPP courses for USC programs.

If you are uncertain of which career path or undergraduate program you would like to take, please contact the Faculty of Arts and Business, or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.

Study materials

For each TPP course there is a book of readings that is available for purchase at Mail and Print Services on the Sippy Downs campus. As a general guide, these books of readings cost between A$12 and A$20 per course, plus postage and handling, for students that are unable to collect them from the Sippy Downs campus.

Note: all copies of the book of readings are made available free online via Blackboard (USC Portal).

Travel, transport and miscellaneous expenses

Consider any extra accommodation, travel and transport costs when planning for tertiary study. Shuttle buses are run from Gympie, Noosa, Caloundra and North Lakes via Caboolture to USC and return. Visit transport for information about transport services and timetables.

Other study-related costs may be incurred, depending on the chosen course i.e. scientific calculators, laboratory coats, printing, photocopying etc.

You may also need to consider lifestyle expenses such as the costs of additional childcare or having to reduce working hours to accommodate study commitments.

Financial assistance

TPP Educational Access Grant

TPP applicants who are experiencing financial difficulty that may inhibit them from applying may be eligible for a TPP Educational Access Grant. The Grant will reimburse the cost of the application fee for eligible students.

Indigenous students undertaking Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP) may also be eligible for the Indigenous Enabling Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship and / or the Indigenous Enabling Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship.

Refer to Commonwealth scholarships for more information.

Completing TPP and commencing undergraduate study

To apply for admission into an undergraduate degree program at USC after completing the TPP, you are required to lodge an Application for Undergraduate (Direct) form to Student Central. The form is available from the Application forms page. Please submit by the application date.

For more information about applying for an undergraduate program after TPP refer to Apply for an undergraduate program from TPP.

Students who plan to attend a university other than USC should contact the Admissions Office of the other institution for advice on how to apply and whether the USC Tertiary Preparation Pathway meets their entry requirements.

Deferring TPP study

Students who are offered a place in the Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) at the University of the Sunshine Coast may choose to defer enrolment in that program for up to two years. Applicants who wish to defer their place must respond to the Notice of Offer from QTAC and the University as soon as possible after receipt of the offer and no later than Census Date in the semester of offer.

For more information refer to How to defer.