Diploma of Higher Education
James Cook University
About
Develop the necessary skills to become a successful university student.
Begin your dream career with a recognised qualification and pathway to your preferred bachelor degree.The JCU Diploma of Higher Education is a pathway into university if you don’t have the academic entry requirements for your preferred undergraduate course.
It also provides an example of what university study will be like prior to enrolling in a full degree.Some subjects completed as part of this diploma may be eligible for credit towards a subsequent JCU undergraduate degree.
Structure
Course Structure – Business Major
OPTIONS
Select a major from Table 1
TABLE 1 (BUSINESS MAJOR)
| column1 | column2 |
|---|---|
| Types of majors | Mandatory, Single |
| Credit points in major | 24 credit points |
| Notes | Available for mid-year entry Not available at all campuses |
| column1 | column2 | column3 |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR | AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
| Business | Townsville Cairns External | This is not a pathway program |
Course Structure – All other majors
CORE SUBJECTS
CU1022:03 Developing Academic Skills
CS1022:03 Learning in a Digital Environment
OPTIONS
Select a major from Table 2
TABLE 2 (ALL OTHER MAJORS)
| column1 | column2 |
|---|---|
| Types of majors | Mandatory, Single |
| Credit points in major | 18 credit points |
| Notes | All majors are available for mid-year entry Not all majors are available at all campuses |
| column1 | column2 | column3 |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR | AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
| Business Studies | Cairns Singapore Townsville | |
| Dentistry [Indigenous Pathway] | Cairns | Submit JCU internal application form by 30 September Nominate with QTAC as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Submit Confirmation of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander documentation |
| Education | Cairns Townsville | |
| Engineering and Applied Science | Cairns Townsville | |
| General Studies | Cairns Townsville | |
| Health | Cairns Townsville | |
| Information Technology | Cairns Singapore Townsville | |
| Psychological Science | Singapore | |
| Science | Cairns Townsville | |
| Social Work | Cairns Townsville | |
| Society and Culture | Cairns Townsville |
Entry requirements
| column1 | column2 |
|---|---|
| Course prerequisites | Business Major – English (Units 3/4,C). Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C) is desirable All other Majors – Nil |
| Minimum English language proficiency requirements | APPLICANTS OF NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING BACKGROUND For the Business major1 International applicants of non-English speaking background must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. For the Health major International applicants of non-English speaking background must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. For the Psychological Science major International applicants of non-English speaking background must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. For all other majors International applicants of non-English speaking background must meet the following English language proficiency requirements: An overall IELTS score of 5.5 (with no component lower than 5.0) Domestic applicants of non-English speaking background (all majors1) Domestic applicants of non-English speaking background who do not have English (Units 3/4, C) must be able to demonstrate that they have the English language proficiency required to participate effectively in the course. This can be demonstrated by having achieved one or more of the following 4 semesters of sound achievement or better in a senior secondary language rich subject (e.g. English Communication, History, Legal Studies, Business and Communication) successfully completed a university preparation course a satisfactory result in assessment of academic readiness2 a minimum of 0.25FTE at tertiary level with a passing GPA STAT Test–score of 157 or better overall or 152 or better in the verbal sub-score other achievement deemed equivalent by the Dean, Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement. 1the Business major has a course pre-requisite of English (Units 3/4, C) 2a new JCU tool which combines a personal competency assessment and an academic skills assessment APPLICANTS OF ENGLISH SPEAKING BACKGROUND All majors Students of English speaking background are assumed to be proficient in the English language and are therefore not required to demonstrate English language proficiency. |
| Special admission requirements | Important: before you enrol you must speak with a Pathways team member to discuss your study plan. Please call: Townsville campus 47815740 or Cairns campus 42321155 or email: pathways@jcu.edu.au |
| Additional selection requirements | James Cook University appreciates that a student's performance in Year 12 studies may not always be a true indicator of their ability to succeed at university. Therefore JCU will consider a school principal’s recommendation of an applicant's potential for university study for admission to the Diploma of Higher Education. Dentistry [Indigenous Pathway] Major: This major is only available to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students Nominate with QTAC as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Submit JCU internal written application form by 30 September Submit Confirmation of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander documentation The written application form (and other information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying), may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria. |
Learning outcomes
Study a variety of introductory and first-year degree subjects, designed to help you build on core knowledge and foster skills of academic enquiry. You will enrol in a specific study plan created to suit your chosen major. Benefit from support staff dedicated to students of this degree and the award-winning JCU Learning Centre.
Receive the foundational skills and knowledge to enter your target Bachelor degree course. Graduates who successfully complete JCU’s Diploma of Higher Education meet the entry requirements necessary to enter into many JCU Bachelor degrees.
JCU students may be eligible for advanced standing or credit for some of the subjects completed as part of the diploma.
View the handbook for more information and entry requirements for each major.
Majors
You will study a range of core subjects, plus choose one major. There are a wide variety of majors to choose from. Before you enrol in this degree, you must speak to a pathways team member to discuss your study plan. Not all majors can be studied at all campuses.
Business
Gain skills and knowledge specifically related to the business sector. Study subjects core to the Bachelor of Business degree and prepare to enter business-related degrees upon graduation.
This major incorporates more business subjects than the Business Studies major and requires English and a Ranking as a prerequisite to study. Additional information
Business Studies
Gain the skills necessary to enter the JCU Bachelor of Business. Study core subjects that prepare you for university study and select from a variety of specialised business subjects.
Graduates can enter the Bachelor of Business or other equivalent business-related degrees. Additional information
Education
Build fundamental education skills and gain essential knowledge in science and maths, educational psychology and science and sustainability in education.
Choose from a wide variety of major and elective subjects to commence your teaching studies. You will graduate confident and prepared to begin an undergraduate education course.
Engineering and Applied Science
Benefit from JCU’s expert lecturers and explore a wide range of essential foundation subjects. Complete prerequisite subjects that are required for many JCU degrees and choose from a wide range of electives across JCU’s extensive engineering programs.
Graduates will gain technical knowledge in areas such as chemistry, process engineering, biological processes, programming, statistics and data analysis and physics. Additional information
General Studies
Develop the skills to analyse, synthesise and evaluate information and evidence drawn from a wide range of sources. Diversify your skillset and choose from the full range of elective subjects across the entire Diploma of Higher Education Program.
This major provides the flexibility to explore your interests while still providing a pathway into a JCU bachelor degree. Additional information
Health
Gain the basic skills and knowledge to succeed in a health-related JCU bachelor degree. Study the fundamentals of health-related subjects which could include anatomy, physiology, chemistry, psychology, pharmacy and sport and exercise nutrition.
Choose from a wide range of elective subjects and tailor your study plan so you can articulate into your target degree. Additional Information
Information Technology
Learn from world-class lecturers to develop knowledge in one of the fastest-growing industries in Australia. Gain essential knowledge in mathematics and choose from a wide selection of electives.
Benefit from the flexibility to select subjects that interest you, including design thinking, programming, problem solving and interactive media and web technologies. Additional Information
Psychological Science
Only available at JCU’s Singapore campus, this major will prepare you to enter JCU’s Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Explore the fundamentals of psychology through introductory core subjects. You will gain a basic understanding of psychological principals, critical thinking in psychology, counselling and mental health.
Science
Gain the knowledge and skills to progress towards a world-class JCU science degree. JCU students access cutting-edge facilities and learn the practical application of theoretical concepts in their chosen electives.
This major provides a pathway to an undergraduate science degree. Depending on your study plan, you will learn the fundamentals of science theory. Students complete the prerequisite maths and science subjects required for admission to many JCU degrees. Additional information
Social Work
Gain an insight into the world of social work. Build a fundamental understanding of human rights and social issues, human behaviour and the basics of psychology.
Select from a range of elective subjects to tailor your study plan. This major is a pathway to the Bachelor of Social Work or a social sciences degree.
Society and Culture
Explore contemporary social and cultural concepts including political science, Indigenous studies, innovation, and the making of place. You can choose from a range of subjects that will prepare you for a JCU undergraduate degree.
Graduates are equipped to apply their knowledge of diversity and interpersonal skills to communicate ideas, evaluate information and create solutions. Additional information
Institution
