The University Preparation Course is an alternative entry pathway to Edith Cowan University (ECU).

The course will prepare students for university level study by teaching the required skills for academic success with an emphasis on the student becoming an independent learner.  Students are enrolled in the University Preparation Course on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students may be eligible for the Youth Allowance.  Details about the availability of the Youth Allowance may be obtained from Centrelink (Tel: 132490).

The University Preparation Course is open to school leavers, recent school leavers under 20 years of age and mature age applicants.

School Leavers

Each year ECU sets a minimum Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) for standard entry into the University. School leavers who sit the Tertiary Entrance Examinations and attain a TER just below this minimum TER may be offered a place in the University Preparation Course. Current TEE students will receive advice on their Universities Admission Advice Letter (UAAL) sent in December. This letter will tell them whether they can add this course to their TISC preferences.

For admission to the University Preparation Course, applicants must meet English competency and have studied a minimum of four subjects which may be any combination of TEE, WACE courses or ECU approved CAF (Wholly School Assessed) subjects. From these subjects applicants must accumulate a total of at least 8 'Points'.

English competency can be achieved by:

2007 Year 12 Students

• English course: a scaled mark of at least 50 or a final standard of at least level 4 in Course School Assessment; or
• TEE English Literature: a final scaled mark of at least 50 or final school assessed grade of C or better; or
• English as a Second Language: a final pass mark as set by the University

2008 Year 12 Students

• English course: a scaled mark of at least 50 or final school assessed grade of C or better in one English unit studied in Year 12 from 2A, 2B, 3A or 3B or, a final school letter grade of A in 1C and 1D studied in Year 12; or
• TEE English Literature: a final scaled mark of at least 50 or final school assessed grade of C or better; or
• English as a an Additional Language/Dialect a scaled mark of at least 50 or a final school letter grade of C or better in one unit studied at Year 12 from 2A, 2B, 3A or 3B

TEE Subjects

• Final scaled mark of 70 and above or final school grade of A                   7 points
• Final scaled mark of between 60 and 70 or final school grade of B            6 points
• Final scaled mark of between 50 and 60 or final school grade of C            5 points

         (whichever is higher)

WACE courses

• Final scaled mark of 70 and above                                                       7 points
• Final scaled mark of between 60 and 70                                                6 points
• Final scaled mark of between 50 and 60                                                5 points
• Final unit grade of A                                                                         3.5 points
• Final unit grade of B                                                                            3 points
• Final unit grade of C                                                                         2.5 points

         (completed in Year 12)

ECU approved CAF (WSA) subjects

• Final school grade of A                                                                       5 points
• Final school grade of B                                                                       3 points
• Final school grade of C                                                                       1 points
• Note: Final unit grade of A in 1C and 1D English Course                        5 points

Non-School Leavers and Mature Age Students

Non-School Leaver applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria:

• Minimum score of 125 for the Multiple Choice and English components of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); or
• TAFE Certificate III (age 17 years by 31 March in the year commencing study); or
• Portfolio Submission; or
• Prior educational qualifications which match current non-TEE entry requirements for school leaver

The University Preparation Course is free to Australian citizens and Permanent Humanitarian VISA holders. For Permanent Residents and New Zealand citizens, the cost is $200 per unit.

The University Preparation Course consists of one semester of  full-time study or two semesters of part-time study with the requirement that students complete four compulsory units.