Current Year 12 and secondary students
The pathways to tertiary study for Year 12 and secondary students include:
Queensland Year 12 students with an OP
Students who complete Year 12 and qualify for an Overall Position (OP) are required to apply through QTAC for University of the Sunshine Coast programs. The OP represents a Year 12 student's rank position based on overall achievement in Queensland Studies Authority subjects. To be eligible for an OP, students are required to sit the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test and to have studied at least 20 semester units of Authority subjects. The OP is reported on the Senior Certificate on a scale from 1 (highest) to 25 (lowest).
Within an OP band, when the number of eligible applicants is greater than the number of places available for a particular program, Field Positions (FPs) may be considered. Field Positions indicate an OP eligible Year 12 student's rank position based on overall achievements in Authority subjects in up to five fields with 1 being the highest to 10 being the lowest.
The Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) provides Year 12 syllabuses, assessment, reporting, testing, accreditation and certification services for Queensland schools.
Applicants who are currently studying Year 12 may be eligible to have their OPs improved by one OP under University of the Sunshine Coast's Regional Preference Scheme. For example, OP 9 will be deemed as an OP 8.
Queensland OP ineligible Year 12 students
Students who complete Year 12 and do not qualify for an OP are also required to apply through QTAC for University of the Sunshine Coast programs. Students are allocated a QTAC selection rank on the basis of results in their best 20 semester units of Authority and Authority-registered subjects, VET units of competency and, if available, the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test. For more detailed information about OP ineligible assessment refer to tertiary entry: internal Queensland Year 12 students without OPs. OP ineligible students who are currently studying Year 12 may be eligible to have their selection ranks improved by two selection ranks as part of University of the Sunshine Coast's Regional Preference Scheme. For example, a selection rank of 77 will be deemed 79.
The Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) provides Year 12 syllabuses, assessment, reporting, testing, accreditation and certification services for Queensland schools.
Repeating Year 12, interstate or overseas matriculation studies
Students who choose to repeat Year 12 full-time at a secondary school will receive a new Overall Position (OP) and Field Positions (FPs) based on their repeat Year 12 results. The higher of either the new OP or OP from the previous Year 12 study will be used for admission.
Year 12 students from other Australian states and territories or from overseas countries with educational standards deemed comparable to those in Australia are considered for entry to USC on a similar basis as Queensland students. Contact the Admissions Officer at Student Administration for further information on admission requirements for your preferred program.
External Senior
The Senior External Examination is a pathway which allows individuals to obtain Queensland Year 12 level qualifications without attending regular high schools. Four or five subjects based on the Year 11 and 12 syllabus are studied over one year full-time or over a number of years part-time. Depending on the individual centre, classes may be offered at night, during the day or by correspondence. More information about studying the External Senior is on the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website.
How to apply for an undergraduate degree program
Current Year 12 students are required to apply for admission to USC by lodging an online application via the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website. Applications are to be lodged via the Twelve to Tertiary Online (TTT) application service.
Non-Year 12 applicants can lodge their applications online through the ABW (Apply By Web) online application service available on the QTAC website.
Career advice
Year 12 students should contact their school/college guidance officer and/or the University's career connection service regarding career advice.
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