The Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in undergraduate degree studies. TPP provides a pathway to a degree program.
TPP allows you to experience university life before committing to a degree program, and courses completed as part of the TPP program are free-of-charge for Commonwealth-supported students (fees for international students can be found at USC International fees and costs). Please note that courses completed through TPP cannot be used as credit towards a degree.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
TPP allows you to experience university life before committing to a degree program, and courses completed as part of the TPP program are free-of-charge for Commonwealth-supported students (fees for international students can be found at USC International fees and costs). Please note that courses completed through TPP cannot be used as credit towards a degree.
Upon successful completion of the TPP, you will be able to gain entry into most USC degree programs through the standard USC direct entry application process.
If you are from a non-English speaking background you will be required to meet English language entry requirements for your chosen USC program.
To attend another university you will need to apply through the standard QTAC application process or via the admission procedures as outlined by the institution at which you plan to study.
Courses in the TPP are Austudy approved.
Indigenous TPP students may be eligible for an Indigenous Commonwealth scholarship.
Flexible study options
TPP courses are offered in Semesters 1 and 2 and Session 8 (Summer Session) and you can study full-time (four courses over one semester) or part-time. Only a full-time study option at Sippy Downs campus is available to international students on a student visa. Courses are offered at a number of study locations including Sippy Downs, Gympie, Noosa, North Lakes and Caboolture.
Recommended TPP courses for USC programs
A list of the study plans (recommended TPP courses) for USC programs for 2015 is available to assist with your enrolment. We highly recommend that prior to enrolling, you read the courses synopsis and course outlines by clicking onto the TPP course codes.
Admission requirements
- Entry age: you must be a minimum of 17 years of age at time of entry (international students must be 18 years old).
- TPP is taught in English (both in classes and in written material), therefore students from a non-English speaking background will need to have sufficient English skills to achieve an overall score of 6.0 and a minimum of 5.5 in all subtests of an IELTS test. Upon completion of TPP and prior to being admitted into any USC program, applicants must satisfy the minimum entry English language requirements (eg English Language proficiency and subject prerequisites).
Upon completion of TPP
Domestic students (Australian citizens, Permanent residents and New Zealand citizens) who wish to apply for admission into an undergraduate degree program at USC after completing the TPP are required to lodge an Application — Undergraduate (Direct) form to Student Central. The form is available from Application forms page. More information is available at Apply for an undergraduate program from TPP.
International students should go to the Application forms for International students page for more information and to download the application form.
More information
Download the Tertiary Preparation Pathway 2015 brochure (PDF 749KB)
For PDF documents you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded from the Adobe Download page.
Program structure
To assist with your course selection, refer to the list of the study plans (recommended TPP courses) for USC programs for 2015. We highly recommend that prior to enroling you read the courses synopsis and course outlines by clicking onto the TPP course codes below.
One (1) required course:
TPP101 Introduction to Criminology
Plus select three (3) courses from:
TPP102 Understanding Crime
TPP103 Punishment and Corrections
TPP104 Policing
TPP105 Justice and the Australian Legal System
TPP106 Foundations of Human Behaviour
TPP107 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
TPP108 Diversity, Crime and Justice
TPP109 Applied Crime Prevention
TPP111 Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice
TPP115 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
For further details about locations and semesters that each TPP course is offered refer to the class timetable.
Program requirements and notes
Program notes
- To submit an application, go to the How to apply tab. Please refer to Application dates to apply before cut-off dates.
- Program fees:there are no tuition fees for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or Holders of Humanitarian Visas. Fees for international students can be found at USC International fees and costs.
- International students are non-Australian or New Zealand citizens or Australian Permanent Residents. Summer Session and part-time options are not available to International students.
- Program details are subject to change.
- For important semester dates see Academic Calenders.
- Read the Student rules, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Refer to the Student Fees and Charges - Governing Policy for information about administrative fees that may apply.