Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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.

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. Successful completion of the Tertiary Preparation Pathway with a grade of Credit (CR) or better in TPP101 meets the English language entry requirements for most USC undergraduate programs.

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 you plan to study at.

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 11 (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 and Caboolture.

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 5.5 and a minimum of 5.0 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 (e.g. English Language proficiency and subject prerequisites).
  Successful completion of the Tertiary Preparation Pathway with a grade of Credit (CR) or better in TPP101 meets the English language entry requirements for most USC undergraduate programs.

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 Administration. The form is available from Application forms page.

International students should go to the Applying for admission page for more information and to download the application form.

More information

• Download the latest TPP brochure (PDF 2.3MB)

Enquiries

• Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business or Faculty of Science Health Education and Engineering for program advice

Coordinator, Enabling Programs,
Student Administration
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Email: information@usc.edu.au

Program structure

Program notes

• To submit an application: refer to How to apply. 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 policy for information about administrative fees that may apply.

Program structure

One (1) required course:
TPP101 Academic Skills for Success

Plus select three (3) courses from:
TPP102 Computer Literacy
TPP103 Chemistry
TPP104 Mathematics
TPP105 Statistics
TPP106 An Introduction to Indigenous Societies
TPP107 Contemporary Australia
TPP108 An Introduction to Working within the Community
TPP109 Biology
TPP111 Business Study Skills

For further details about locations and semesters that each TPP course is offered refer to the class timetable.

Study Plan

Below you will find a 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.

Reading the course outlines will provide you information such as the directed study hours (details regarding your lectures/tutorials/workshops). This information is useful to know when working out your enrolment on USC Central.

Once you know the courses you would like to enrol into please visit the USC Central Guide, here you will find resources on how to navigate your way around USC Central which is the online system you use to manage your enrolment. 

• Faculty of Arts and Business programs
• Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering programs
• Combined programs

Faculty of Arts and Business

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Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering

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Combined programs

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All domestic students are required to submit their TPP application through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) to gain a place at USC.

Assistance with completing your TPP application is available from QTAC and USC.

The QTAC website offers information about how to apply, ordering your preferences and responding to your offer. Video demonstrations are available to guide you through the application process.

You are able to contact Student Administration for help with your application. Phone, email or make an appointment to have our staff assist you.

Step 1: Submit your application

• Apply online via QTAC for TPP.
• On the QTAC website click on Online services
  • Current Year 12 students should select Twelve to Tertiary Instructions
  • All other applicants should select Non Year 12 Students – Apply by Web instructions
• You have the option to try a demonstration application
• When you are ready to complete your applications click on Apply Now
  • Use the QTAC code for TPP: 019901
• International students must complete an International Student Application Form.

TPP Educational Access Grant

When applying via QTAC there is an application fee which may be reimbursed.

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

Step 2: Assessment of application

QTAC will assess your application and your status can be tracked using the Current Applicant Online Services.

Step 3: Offers

QTAC will notify successful applicants of their offer to study by email and SMS.

Successful applicants will also receive an offer pack in the mail from USC within three business days of the QTAC offer rounds.

The offer pack provides information about how to access USCCentral to accept your offer and enrol in your TPP courses.

To choose your courses, please refer to the recommended TPP courses for USC programs.

Deferring your TPP place

Successful TPP applicants can defer the commencement of their studies for up to two years. This means your place can be held for you until you are ready to commence.

After the two year period has elapsed applicants must reapply via the QTAC process outlined above.

For more details on how to defer your offer of a place or information about how to take up your deferred place go to How to defer.

More information

If you have more questions, personalised advice and assistance is available by contacting:

Coordinator, Enabling Programs
Student Administration
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Email: information@usc.edu.au

Once you have received your offer pack from USC make sure you read through the TPP essentials page before you start your enrolment process.

As a USC student, you will need to refer to your study plan to enrol in the appropriate courses each semester or session.

Find out more about how to enrol or follow these steps:

1. Check the open enrolment dates and the academic calendar for key dates
2. Refer to your Study Plan to plan your courses for the study period
3. Find your courses and decide on your classes in the class timetable
4. Log on to USC Central and enrol in courses and classes

Useful links

• Getting Started Guide
• USC Central Guide
• Class timetables
• Academic Calendar
• Student-related policies, plans and procedures
• Regional Access, Inclusion and Success in Education (RAISE)
• Open Day and information events
• Tertiary Preparation Pathway Educational Access Grant
• Study locations

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to enrol:

Online: Refer to the USC Central Guide
Email: information@usc.edu.au
Tel: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

Coordinator, Enabling Programs, Student Administration
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Email: information@usc.edu.au