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.
- 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.
Upon successful completion of the TPP, you will be able to gain direct entry into most USC degree programs through the standard USC direct entry application process. You will be required to meet any subject prerequisites for the undergraduate degree you want to study so check these before enrolling in your TPP courses to make sure you choose the right courses. If you are from a non-English speaking background, you will also be required to meet English language entry requirements for your chosen USC program.
TPP will not meet the entry rank required for direct entry into some high-demand degree programs, including the Bachelor of Midwifery and the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. Your entry rank will depend on how many TPP courses you complete and the grades you achieve in your TPP courses. Your entry rank must be high enough to meet the program cut off in order to gain direct entry.
If selecting 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.
Please note that courses completed through TPP cannot be used as credit towards a degree.
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. International students may only enrol in TPP if they enrol in full-time mode. Full-time mode is available at Sippy Downs and at Fraser Coast only.
Recommended TPP courses for USC programs
A list of the study plans (recommended TPP courses) for USC programs for 2016 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).
- International applicants academic history will be assessed for entry in to TPP.
Fees
The 2017 Australian Federal Budget proposes changes to fee arrangements for higher education students. If these changes are passed by the Federal Parliament, domestic students studying TPP courses may incur fees from Semester 1, 2018. We will provide further information on any changes to TPP fees as soon as it is available.
Fees for international students can be found at USC International fees and costs.
Courses in the TPP are Austudy approved.
Indigenous TPP students may be eligible for an Indigenous Commonwealth scholarship.
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 should visit Apply for an undergraduate program from TPP for instructions to submit an online application.
International students should go to the Application forms for International students page for more information and to download the application form.
Program structure
To assist with your course selection, refer to the list of the study plans (recommended TPP courses) for USC programs. 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 Communication and Thought
Plus select three (3) courses from:
TPP102 Foundations of Australian Law A
TPP103 Criminal Law and Procedure A
TPP104 Chemistry
TPP105 Foundations of Australian Law B
TPP106 Criminal Law and Procedure B
TPP107 Biodiversity and Ecology
TPP108 Science Research Methods
TPP109 Plant Diversity and Ecology
TPP111 Torts A
TPP115 Cell Biology
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Coastal and Marine Ecology | |||
| TPP102 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation | |||
| TPP103 Agricultural and Forest Ecology | |||
| TPP104 Plant Growth and Reproduction | |||
| TPP105 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies | |||
| TPP106 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology | |||
| TPP107 Plant Diversity and Ecology | |||
| TPP108 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology | |||
| TPP109 Coastal and Marine Ecology | |||
| TPP111 Workplace Learning I | |||
| TPP115 Special Research Project |
Available courses Semester 2, 2016
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP102 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology | Sippy Downs, Caboolture, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP103 Torts B | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP104 Human Physiology | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP105 Contracts A | Sippy Downs, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP106 Microbiology | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP107 Introduction to Mathematics | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP108 Mathematics Foundations | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Plant Growth and Reproduction | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP111 Contracts B | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP115 Genetics | Sippy Downs | Nil |
Available courses Session 8, 2016/2017
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Property A | Sippy Downs, Gympie, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP102 Constitutional Law | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP103 Corporations Law | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP104 Property B | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP105 Equity & Trusts | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP107 Civil Procedure | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Administrative Law | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP111 Evidence | Sippy Downs | Nil |
Available courses Semester 1, 2017
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Professional Conduct | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP102 Regulation | Sippy Downs, Caboolture, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP103 Communication and Thought | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP104 Introductory Counselling Skills | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP105 Introduction to Psychology A | Sippy Downs, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP106 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP107 Introduction to Psychology B | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP108 Introduction to Indigenous Australia | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Communication and Thought | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP111 Introduction to Behavioural Health | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP115 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Science | Sippy Downs | Nil |
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