Griffith University recognises that success at university study in one program can be a reliable predictor of future success in other programs. The University also recognised that you may wish to use university study to upgrade if you do not have a high enough Rank for your preferred program.
This page provides information on how tertiary study is assessed, how it can be used to upgrade to another more preferred program, how much study you need to have done and what grade point average you need to achieve. This page also includes the important Tertiary study rules which determine how your tertiary study will be assessed for admission to Griffith University.
Upgrade from one degree to another
If you do not have a high enough Rank for your preferred program you may choose one with a lower Rank and upgrade to your desired program later on. If you take this pathway, you should choose a program you are genuinely interested in, otherwise you may find it difficult to achieve the results needed to upgrade. Remember this upgrading strategy depends on achieving a GPA of at least 3.75 over one year of study.
Degree study for an upgrade
You normally need to complete a minimum of one full-time year of degree study in order to upgrade your Rank. However, you will be considered if you have completed less than a year of full-time study.
Suspension or exclusion
If you are under suspension or permanent or temporary exclusion from any tertiary institution, whether in Australia or elsewhere, you are required to include all details of the exclusion or suspension in your Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre or Universities Admissions Centre application. Excluded applicants seeking admission will not be considered until their period of exclusion has elapsed.
Applications will be considered on the basis of an appropriate written statement and supporting documentation supplied with the QTAC/UAC application as long as one year has elapsed from the date of exclusion.
The written statement outlines your claim for admission and should address:
- Reasons for previous performance. You should show previous circumstances (e.g. financial, medical, personal, vocational) contributing to the failure have been overcome are unlikely to recur and you are likely to succeed in your study.
- Changes in circumstance since the exclusion decision. If you have overcome a medical condition you should supply a statement from a medical practitioner confirming the recovery and your capacity to return to studies.
- Post-exclusion academic performance: You need to provide academic transcripts or other documents to QTAC/UAC.
- Post-exclusion vocational performance: You should provide employment references which state the nature of the position held and length of service and include comments on the level and nature of performance in the position.
- Maturity and motivation.
Open Universities Australia
Open Universities Australia offers everyone in Australia the opportunity to study university courses for credit towards a degree. There is no entry requirement and no prerequisites for registration with Open Universities Australia. No matter what level of education you have already achieved you will be eligible to study through Open Universities Australia.
Griffith University determines an admission level on the basis of Open Universities Australia courses in the same way to that for students undertaking studies in any approved degree.
Credit for prior studies
You may apply for credit for prior learning which includes formal study undertaken in recognised tertiary institutions in Australia, including universities, colleges, TAFE and other post-secondary education institutions. Overseas institutions will be recognised to the extent to which they are considered to be equivalent to particular types of Australian institutions. The amount of credit depends on the amount and type of study you have completed.