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 2023 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 the minimum selection threshold and 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 minimum selection threshold for direct entry into some high-demand degree programs, including the Bachelor of Midwifery and the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics. Your selection rank will depend on how many TPP courses you complete and the grades you achieve in your TPP courses. Your selection rank must be high enough to meet the minimum selection threshold 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 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 for the degree they are applying for (eg English Language proficiency and subject prerequisites).
- International applicants academic history will be assessed for entry in to TPP.
Fees
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 Genetics
Plus select three (3) courses from:
TPP102 Communication and Thought
TPP103 Introduction to Criminology
TPP104 Foundations of Human Behaviour
TPP105 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
TPP106 Understanding Crime
TPP107 Punishment and Corrections
TPP108 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
TPP109 Social Work and Human Services Practice
TPP111 Diversity, Crime and Justice
TPP115 Justice and the Australian Legal System
Available courses Semester 1, 2018
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP102 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory | Sippy Downs, Caboolture, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP103 Cell Biology | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP104 Mental Health and Social Work | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP105 Policing | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP106 Applied Crime Prevention | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP107 Criminal Law: An Introduction | Sippy Downs, Gympie | Nil |
| TPP108 Social Research | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management | Sippy Downs, Northlakes, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP111 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast, Gympie | Nil |
| TPP115 Chemistry | Sippy Downs | Nil |
Available courses Semester 2, 2018
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Working With Children, Youth and Families | Sippy Downs, Gympie, Noosa, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP102 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions | Sippy Downs, Caboolture, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP103 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions | Sippy Downs, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP104 Introduction to Mathematics | Sippy Downs, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP105 Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP106 Introduction to Applied Mathematics | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP107 Social Justice, Welfare and the State | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP108 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Introductory Calculus | Sippy Downs, Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture | Nil |
| TPP111 Social Work Field Education 1 | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP115 Understanding Cultural Diversity | Sippy Downs | Nil |
Available courses Session 8, 2018/2019
| Course | Locations | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| TPP101 Health & Mental Health in Australia | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP103 Community Development and Social Action | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | Nil |
| TPP104 Critical Social Policy Analysis | Sippy Downs | Nil |
| TPP109 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice | Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast | 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