QTAC Information Sheet

Glossary

Academic Record

An official record of all subjects and results gained from secondary, postsecondary or tertiary studies.

Associate Degree

An award usually requiring two years full-time or the equivalent part-time study.

Assumed Knowledge

The minimum level of achievement in Senior studies considered necessary for successful first year tertiary study. Students lacking the assumed level of knowledge are not prevented from enrolling; however, they may be disadvantaged unless they undertake recommended bridging, preparatory or introductory subjects prior to or during first year of study.

Bachelor Degree

An award usually requiring three or four years full-time or the equivalent part-time study.

Certified Copy

A photocopy of an original document that has been signed by a Justice of the Peace, Commissioner for Declarations, the issuing authority, a QTAC staff member, or other approved person stating that the photocopy is a true copy of the original.

Combined/Double/Dual Degree

A degree course combining two fields of study. In some cases this results in the awarding of two degrees. In other cases one award is granted encompassing two fields of study.

Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN)

Allocated to students to facilitate and monitor Commonwealth assistance.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Commonwealth supported courses, which attract a student contribution fee, previously known as HECS. The student contribution is variable, depending on subjects chosen; see individual courses as well as the tables on the Study Costs page of each respective section in this web site.

Credit Transfer

Where a student is granted exemption from particular course requirements in recognition of previous studies.

Cut-Off

The minimum OP or QTAC selection rank required for entry to a course in a particular year. Cut-offs are not predetermined and vary from year to year.

Deferment

Postponement of the commencement of a course for a maximum of one year. Not all institutions grant deferment.

Dfee

These are the full fee-paying courses offered by public universities where the course is also offered on a Commonwealth supported basis.

Enrolment

Shortly after they receive their offer, successful applicants receive a separate enrolment package from the institution, not from QTAC.

Field Positions (FP)

Indicate a Year 12 student's rank order position based on overall achievements in Authority subjects in up to five fields. Field Positions are only relevant to current Qld Year 12 students who are eligible for an OP.

Flexible Delivery

A combination of study types offered as an alternative to on-campus study. Usually includes a combination of distance education and ongoing on-campus workshops.

Honours

A higher qualification than a pass degree, gained after more advanced or specialised study. An honours degree frequently involves one more year of study than a pass degree.

Internal Year 12 student

A student completing an accredited Year 12 program in Australia, including International Baccalaureate students but excluding Senior External Examination, Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation, and Accelerated Christian Education students.

Major/Specialisation

An area of specialisation within a course or degree focusing on a particular field of study, eg history.

Mode

The way a course is delivered, either full-time, part-time, distance education (external study), or flexible delivery.

Offers

The allocation of available tertiary places to eligible applicants. Offers are made in several rounds. A number of offers are made in early December in the early offer round, in selected courses including creative/performing arts, distance education and other courses. Most offers are made in the major January offer round in mid January. The late January/early February offer round allocates those places not filled in the major offer round. There are various offer rounds at mid-year, which run between March-August.

OP/Selection rank

The minimum OP of QTAC selection rank required for entry to a course in the January offer round of a particular year. These OP/selection ranks are not predetermined and vary from year to year.

Overall Position (OP)

A number (1 to 25) that indicates an internal Queensland Year 12 student's statewide rank order position based on overall achievement in Authority subjects.

Postgraduate Courses

Courses that are generally only available to people who have graduated at a tertiary level.

Prerequisites

The minimum requirements an applicant must satisfy to be considered for entry to a particular course. This may include, for example, Year 12 subjects completed to a specified level of achievement, a portfolio or audition, employment, or a completed qualification such as a diploma.

Program

A complete series of study leading to a degree or diploma.

Quota

The estimated number of places available in a course.

Recommended Study

Although the stated subjects are not compulsory, it is strongly recommended that the applicant have knowledge of these subjects.

Selection Rank

A numerical score used to compare different qualifications on the same scale for the purpose of tertiary entrance. Selection ranks range from 1 to 99, with 99 being the highest

TAFE Queensland Standard Offering (SO)

Government subsidised courses that still require a student contribution fee.

UMAT

Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test. Administered by the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) in Victoria.

Undergraduate Courses

Courses which are open to all eligible applicants.

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