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

For admission to the University Preparation Course, applicants must:
• Meet secondary graduation requirements of the Western Australian Certificate of Education and
• Meet ECU's UPC English Competency requirements and
• Have studied a minimum of four subjects, which includes a combination of three TEE and/or WACE courses (Stage 2 or higher) and/or ECU approved Wholly School Assessed (CAF) subjects and achieved a minimum of at least 8 points from these subjects or
• Successfully completed a Certificate IV as part of their 12 years of schooling
2007 Year 12 Students

English Competency can be achieved by:
English Course. Applicants must achieve:
• A scaled mark of at least 50 or
• A final school letter grade of A, B or C  in one English unit studied in Year 12 from 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, or 3B or
• A final school letter grade of A in both 1C and 1D English units studied in Year 12
 
TEE English Literature/Literature. Applicants must achieve:
• A scaled mark of at least 50 or
• A final school letter grade of A, B or C in one Literature unit studied in Year 12 or
• A final school letter grade of A, B or C in one Literature unit studied in Year 12 from 2A, 2B, 3A or 3B (from 2011 entry onwards)

English as an Additional Language/Dialect. Applicants must achieve:
• A scaled mark of at least 50 or
• A final school letter grade of A, B or C in one English as an Additional Language/Dialect unit studied in 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
(Stage 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A or 3B complete in Year 12)
• 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         
 
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 Leaver and Mature Age Students
Non-School Leaver and Mature Age applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria:
• Prior educational qualifications which match current non-TEE entry requirements for School Leavers or
• Minimum score of 110 (post Feb 2010) or 125 (prior to Feb 2010) in English and at least 110 (post Feb 2010) or 115 (prior to Feb 2010) in either the STAT Verbal or Quantitative components, or
• Having successfully completed a TAFE Certificate III or
• Applied via the Portfolio Pathway

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.