Certificate of University Studies (COUS)

Back to top Program aims The Certificate of University Studies aims to equip students with the necessary skills to successfully respond to the numeracy, literacy, critical thinking and e-literacy demands of higher education studies and the professional workplace, in addition to assisting students to successfully manage the complexities of life/work balance.

The Certificate provides students with a broad introduction to the academic culture of university studies and an enhanced understanding and knowledge of foundational issues, principles and strategies needed in order to be successful in the first year undergraduate level of study.

The program will appeal to those who want to enhance and develop their broad award-level study skills prior to possibly sampling a range of discipline courses and determining whether to embark on a more specialised degree program, or opting instead to graduate out with a new sub-degree qualification.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

International applicants must have a minimum entry level of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. There is no specified minimum educational achievement entrance standard. Normally, to be eligible for enrolment in the program a person will have attained an age of at least 18 years in the year of the proposed enrolment. Students will need to complete the online application form for entry to the Diploma programs. All applicants are also required to complete online diagnostic tests in Mathematics, e-literacy, and English Communication Skills. Applicants will then be given advice detailing whether the Certificate of University Studies is the most appropriate pathway for them to undertake. Some students may be advised to undertake the Tertiary Preparation Program .

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements.

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a University-approved English language program. On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

Program objectives

On the successful completion of the Certificate of University Studies graduates will have:

• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to successfully pursue an undergraduate program of study in either the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, or the Faculty of Health, Engineering, and Sciences;
• Acquired sufficient knowledge about USQ’s award level programs of study, to make an informed choice about further undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, or the Faculty of Health, Engineering, and Sciences;
• Developed an enhanced awareness of the nature of award-level study in the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, or the Faculty of Health, Engineering, and Sciences;
• Developed foundation knowledge, skills and competencies in a series of generic first year award-level undergraduate courses.