The University welcomes applications from persons of at least 21 years of age who do not qualify for admission on the basis of formal educational attainment. Griffith University recognises that preparation for tertiary study is not restricted to formal educational attainment and that valuable intellectual and skills development can be gained through wide ranging experiences and informal study. Your case will be considered on its merits on the basis of evidence of achievement and of your interest in and capacity to work in the broad field of study to which you seek admission.
To be considered for alternative entry, you must be 21 years of age by 1 January (for February entry) or by 1 June (for July entry) in the year of commencement of the proposed Griffith University program. You can be considered for alternative entry based on an assessment of work experience, personal competencies or the Special Tertiary Admissions Test. You should ensure that the following information (where relevant) is included in your application:
- Details of formal education including level reached, state/country, year, subjects and results
- Details of other study, training or development courses attempted or completed since leaving school
- Your work experience (see information below)
- Details and proof of membership and affiliations with recognised professional and semi-professional bodies.
Work experience
If you are applying for entry on the basis of work experience, you should ensure that you provide information in your application on your employment history. The information should include employer(s), duration of service, positions held, duties, details of current employment status and other employment information considered relevant. A statement of service or signed reference must substantiate work experience and it is up to you to submit these documents with your Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre or Universities Admissions Centre application.
Your work experience does not necessarily have to be related to your proposed program of study.
You will be allocated a Rank based on the type of employment and the length of time you were employed. To be eligible, you must have spent at least six months in full-time paid employment. Your work experience is assessed on the Vocational Experience schedule.
While some types of vocational experience provide a Rank sufficient for entry on their own, you are also encouraged to complete a personal competencies assessment (QTAC applicants only) and to sit the STAT to help you attain the highest Rank possible.
Personal competencies assessment (QTAC applicants only)
The Personal Competencies Assessment process recognises that merit may take a variety of forms. It assesses your potential for tertiary study by considering skills which are not assessed in other ways under standard assessment procedures.
If you are a mature age applicant, you are encouraged to complete a Personal Competencies Assessment as part of your QTAC application. A personal competencies assessment allows you to demonstrate the skills you have developed that will help you succeed at university. You nominate in your QTAC application that your wish to have personal competencies assessed and provide a statement in support. Your statement of support needs to address:
- what you have done to prepare for tertiary study
- the reasons for choosing your preferred program of study
- your capacity for independent study
- the skills, knowledge and abilities you believe will help you succeed
- your communication skills
- sources of support you have or can put in place to enhance your success at university.
Each of these criteria should be addressed individually. Be sure to provide specific examples of how you meet the criteria. Your personal statement must also be accompanied by two referee statements, which support claims made and provide specific examples of experience and achievements.
Some hints for completing the Personal Competencies Assessment:
- address all the criteria
- provide specific examples which demonstrate how you satisfy particular criteria
- think about the sort of information which may be relevant to tertiary study
- indicate how your skills, knowledge and abilities relate to tertiary study and to your chosen program(s)
- referees statements should support a personal competencies case by confirming (and illustrating with examples) any competencies relevant to tertiary study
- similar to writing an assignment - approximately five pages of text is required.
Further information about the Personal Competencies Assessment is available at the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre website.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test
Mature age applicants who do not hold formal educational qualifications may wish to attempt Special Tertiary Admissions Test to provide an indicator of their aptitude for tertiary study. It is not compulsory for you to sit for the STAT for any Griffith University program. You apply to do the STAT by indicating your intention on your QTAC or UAC application. You will pay a fee for the test.
The STAT is a two-hour objective test of 70 questions (50% verbal and 50% quantitative) with multiple choice answers. It does not test your knowledge of particular subject areas. All of the information you need to arrive at a correct answer is included in the question, so you do not have to study for the STAT. However, you can purchase sample STAT questions from QTAC or UAC which can help you prepare.
Griffith accepts students on the basis of STAT results alone but only for applicants who are 21 years of age by 1 January (for February entry) or 1 June (for July entry) in the year of commencement of the proposed program. If this is your highest Rank, your application for admission will be considered on this basis. If you choose to sit the test you will not be disadvantaged on the basis of your test results. Results are used only where they contribute to a higher Rank for you.
If you are unhappy with your performance you can re-sit the test but you can only sit the STAT once per year. If you have sat the STAT more than once you are assessed on your highest STAT score.
STAT results are also used in combination with other Schedules to increase your Rank and this can increase your admission chances. Where STAT results are used in combination with other Schedules, the Rank is allocated regardless of your age. You do not have to be 21 years old in these circumstances.
STAT is used in combination for applicants who:
- have undertaken certain tertiary preparation or bridging programs
- have completed or partially completed the Adult Tertiary Preparation program
- are undertaking TAFE or university studies in which assessment is competency based without the availability of higher grades
- are assessed on their work experience
- are assessed on their Personal Competencies Assessment as part of their QTAC application
Further information about the Special Tertiary Admissions Test for mature age applicants is available from the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre or Universities Admissions Centre websites.