Return to Study presentation - QUT

CRICOS No. 00213J 

Return to study seminar

of 

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands 

where QUT now stands, pay respect to their Elders 

– past, present and emerging – and acknowledge 

the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait 

Islander people continue to play within the QUT 

community. 

www.reconciliation.qut.edu.au

Program 

• Welcome 

• Introduction to QUT 

• Entry to QUT 

• Hear from a current student 

• Support, flexibility, community, technology 

• Study costs and financial support 

• Making course and career decisions 

• Resources: where to get more information 

• Talk to staff and students 

a university for the real world R 

CRICOS No. 00213J


Introduction to QUT

Graduate success 

• QUT graduates enjoy excellent employment 

outcomes 

• QUT prepares students for their career through: 

– expert teachers 

– practical courses – real world projects, industry 

experience, work integrated learning 

– industry input in course design 

– career resources – Student ePortfolio, career 

planning, resume advice, interview workshops, 

Career Mentor Scheme 

CRICOS No. 00213J

QUT campuses 

Gardens Point: business, built environment, 

engineering, law, justice, science, technology 

Kelvin Grove: creative industries, education, health 

Caboolture: nursing, business (management and 

marketing), primary education 

creative industries (first year only), early childhood 

education from 2012 (first year offered initially) 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Course options 

• unique courses in dance, fashion, landscape 

architecture, optometry, podiatry, radiation 

therapy 

• consider a double degree for increased skills 

and employability 

• try it in the first year – some degrees allow you 

to delay your decision about your major 

• add a language 

• use your previous qualifications to help you gain 

entry and academic credit 


a university for the real world R

Business OP Rank 

Accelerated 2-Year Program 5 92 

Dean’s Honours Program 2 97 

Business (Gardens Point) 10 81 

Specialisations include: 

Accountancy, advertising, economics, finance, human 

resource management, international business, 

management, marketing, public relations 

Business (Caboolture) 

Management or Marketing only 

14 71 

Corporate Partners in Excellence Scholarship 

Program (valued at up to $36,000) 

Many double degree options 



Education OP Rank 

Early Childhood Studies* 12 76 

Early Childhood (Kelvin Grove) 13 74 

Early Childhood (Caboolture) New New 

Primary (Kelvin Grove) 13 74 

Primary (Caboolture) 15 69 

Secondary 13 74 

Secondary – Home Economics 13 74 

Secondary – Physical Education 13 74 

Dual degrees with dance, drama, music, visual arts 

Double degree options with applied science, exercise and 

movement science 

* Approved childcare qualification only – not eligible for teacher 

registration. 



Law and Justice OP Rank 

Laws* 5 92 


General legal practice, specialist legal practice, advocacy 

and dispute resolution, public sector, private sector. 

Justice* 10 81 


Criminology, policing, correctional services, crime 

prevention and national security. 

Many double degree options 

*Both courses available externally 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Urban Development OP Rank Design OP Rank 

Construction Management 10 81 Architectural Studies 5 92 

Quantity Surveying 10 81 Industrial Design 10 81 

Property Economics 12 76 Interior Design 7 88 

Spatial Science (Surveying) 11 79 Landscape Architecture 10 81 

Urban and Regional Planning 11 79 

Engineering 

Dean’s Scholars Program 1 99 Specialisations include: 

Engineering 10 81 

Double degree options with business, IT or 

maths. 

Aerospace avionics, civil, civil and 

construction, civil and environmental, 

computer and software, electrical, 

mechanical, mechatronics, medical. 



Creative Industries OP Rank OP Rank 

Acting * * Journalism 5 92 

Animation 7 88 Mass Communication 11 79 

Creative and Professional Writing 8 86 Media and Communication 9 83 

Creative Industries (Kelvin Grove) 8 86 Music * * 

Creative Industries (Caboolture) 12 76 Sound Design * * 

Dance performance * * Technical Production * * 

Drama 9 84 Visual Arts * * 

Entertainment Industries New New Dual degrees with Education: 

Fashion * * Dance, Music, Visual Arts * * 

Film, TV and New Media 

Production 

5 92 Drama 8 86 

Interactive and Visual Design 8 86 Plus many double degree options 

* Admission is based on special entry requirements in addition to OP/rank. For more information visit 

www.qut.edu.au/additional-entry 



Health OP Rank OP Rank 

Clinical Exercise Physiology 8 86 Paramedic 7 88 

Exercise and Movement 

Science 

12 76 Pharmacy 5 92 

Human Services 13 74 Podiatry 8 86 

Medical Imaging Science 3 96 Psychology 8 86 

Nursing (Kelvin Grove) 11 79 Public Health 12 76 

Nursing (Caboolture) 13 74 Radiation Therapy 5 92 

Nutrition 10 81 Social Work 13 74 

Nutrition and Dietetics 2 97 Vision Science (Optometry) 2 98 

Many double degree options with business, creative industries, education, law and 

justice. 



Science and Technology OP Rank OP Rank 

Dean’s Scholars Accelerated 

Honours Program 

2 97 Games and Interactive 

Entertainment 

13 74 

Applied Science 12 76 Information Technology 13 74 

Majors include: 

biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, 

ecology, environmental science, forensic 

science, geoscience, microbiology, 

physics. 

Majors include: 

business process management, data 

warehousing, digital environments, 

enterprise systems, network systems, 

software engineering, web technologies. 

Biomedical Science 11 79 Corporate Systems 

Management 

13 74 

Mathematics 10 81 Technology Innovation 12 77 

Medical Science 11 79 Plus many double degree options 



Entry to QUT 

Information provided for domestic students only 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Unispeak 

Entry Rank or rank 

• for all applicants not qualifying for an OP (highest 99, 

lowest 1), including some Year 12 students 

Cut-off 

• OP/rank of the last applicant admitted to last year’s intake 

• not fixed, can vary from year to year 

QTAC 

• Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre 

Tertiary studies 

• diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees, degrees 

Vocational (professional) studies 

• certificates III and IV (Adult Tertiary Preparation), trade 

certificates, traineeships, performance qualifications etc. 



NON-SCHOOL LEAVER ENTRY 

TO QUT 

STANDARD ENTRY 

ALTERNATIVE ENTRY 

Prior Year 12 studies 

Work and life skills 

Prior tertiary study 

Work experience 

Bridging or 

external senior 

Personal Competencies 

Assessment (PCA) 

Vocational studies 

Special Tertiary 

Admissions Test 

(STAT)* 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Entry based on secondary 

study 

• Results gained in high school can be used 

to gain entry to university many years 

after they are awarded 

• You can be allocated a rank if you did not 

receive an OP at school, and if you 

received an OP, TE score or completed 

studies interstate, your results will also be 

converted to a rank 


CRICOS No. 00213J

• page 17 of Real Options

Entry based on tertiary study 

Degree level study 

• if you have already completed or partially 

completed a degree, you will be allocated a 

rank based on your grade point average 

• minimum three-quarters of a year of 

full-time study 

• one year of full-time degree study with a 

GPA of 4 = rank 93 



• page 19 of Real Options


Diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree 

or certificate level study 

• QUT allocates bonus ranks if you have completed 

an AQF award 

• completed advanced diploma or associate 

degree = rank 93 

• completed diploma = rank 87 

• completed certificate IV = 74 

• ranks can be improved by a good result in the 

STAT or by achieving a higher grade point 

average 


CRICOS No. 00213J

page 20 of Real 

Options


Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation 

• aims to give you the academic background required 

for successful tertiary study 

• choose from a variety of subjects to meet your 

needs and course requirements 

• minimum of three subjects to be completed for 

entry to QUT 

• joint QUT and Griffith project to support students 

enrolled in ATP or external senior – 

www.bridgetostudy.com.au 

• ranks can be improved by a good result in the STAT 

or by achieving a higher grade point average 

• see page 21 of Real Options – table shows ranks for 

five subjects 


CRICOS No. 00213J

QUT alternative entry 

Based on skills gained through: 

– work experience 

– life experience. 

• no age limit 

• best alternative entry rank is used 

• alternative entry pathway not available for: 

– Fine Arts (with additional entry), Music, 

Dean’s Scholars programs 

– courses with prior tertiary study entry 

requirements 

– current Year 12 students (or equivalent) 

– International students. 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Alternative entry: work 

experience 

• rank allocated based on type of employment 

and length of time 

• does not need to be related to your course 

• minimum of six months paid employment 

• encourage students to submit a Personal 

Competencies Assessment (PCA) and sit 

the STAT to gain the highest rank possible 

• need to have statements of service 

• lodge your work experience documents with 

your QTAC application 


CRICOS No. 00213J

page 22 of Real Options

Alternative entry: Personal 

Competencies Assessment (PCA) 

• a written statement demonstrating the skills, 

abilities and life experience that would allow you to 

be successful at university 

• must provide a: 

– statement addressing the six personal 

competencies criteria (i.e. like a job application 

selection criteria), including examples 

– two written referee reports 

• maximum rank possible is 99 

• with an alternative entry application, a successful 

PCA is the only way to achieve a high enough rank 

to gain entry into QUT’s most competitive courses 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Special Tertiary Admissions Test 

(STAT) 

• two-hour aptitude test facilitated by QTAC – 

charges apply 

• QUT does not accept the STAT on its own 

• must be in conjunction with: 

– alternative entry application 

– Adult Tertiary Preparation (ATP) 

– External Senior results 

– Some AQF qualifications 

• QUT will use a STAT result if it leads to a higher 

rank - cannot reduce your rank; i.e. at worst your 

rank will not change 

www.qtac.edu.au 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Upgrading pathways 

List more than one course on your QTAC application 

– have a back-up plan or an upgrading pathway 

If you: 

• study one year of full-time degree study and pass 

all subjects will receive a minimum rank of 93 

• complete an advanced diploma you will get a 

minimum rank of 93 

• complete a diploma you will get a minimum 

rank of 87. 

External Senior or Adult Tertiary Preparation (ATP) 

may also be an option 



Evaluate your upgrading options 

• am I committed to study the course 

• can I get in 

• will it give me academic credit 

• will it give me a high enough rank 

• what will I do if a year of study is not 

enough 

• can I afford the costs (tuition fees, 

accommodation, transport etc) 


CRICOS No. 00213J

How to apply 

• apply online through QTAC www.qtac.edu.au 

– application charges apply 

• look at the on-time application closing dates 

• investigate admissions schemes and minimum 

requirements 

• check for additional entry requirements or 

any QUT-specific due dates 

• apply for scholarships and special entry 

programs 

www.qut.edu.au/apply 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Admission options and 

minimum requirements 

• Assumed Knowledge 

• OP Guarantee (Entry Rank 93-99) 

• special consideration/QUT entry programs 

– Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via QTAC (not 

applicable to QUT Alternative Entry) 

– Oodgeroo Unit 

– Elite Athlete Entry Program 

– Q-Step Scheme 

• English proficiency 

– non-English speaking background or International 

student, you may be required to undertake an 

English examination. 



QUT admission options 

Assumed Knowledge 

• indicates a minimum level of knowledge 

• is not a factor in the decision to make an 

offer, unlike prerequisites 

• recommend students gain the knowledge – 

bridging courses www.cpe.qut.edu.au 

OP Guarantee 

• if a student achieves a rank of 93 or better 

they are guaranteed a place in most 

courses at QUT 

www.qut.edu.au/courses 



Entry programs 

Oodgeroo Unit 

• provide an alternate entry program for 

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students, as 

well as support for students, and teaching and 

research www.qut.edu.au/about/oodgeroo 

Elite Athlete Entry Program 

• for elite athletes, sportspersons, coaches or 

managers 

• may receive bonus entry ranks 

• not available for Dean’s Scholars or courses with 

audition, portfolio or interview requirements 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Entry programs 

Q-Step Scheme 

• provides increased opportunities to people 

from low-income backgrounds to gain entry 

to QUT 

• up to 3 OP/6 rank boost into most QUT 

courses 

• guaranteed equity bursary of $1000 

• apply via QTAC application through 

Educational Access Scheme (EAS) 

www.qtac.edu.au 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Additional entry requirements 

and QUT forms 

Some courses may require an application to QUT in 

addition to QTAC, and/or you may need to finalise 

your application by a certain date: 

• courses with special entry requirements 

– e.g. some Creative Industries courses, Dean’s Scholars 

Programs, radiation therapy, Graduate Diploma in Education, 

graduate entry courses 

– www.qut.edu.au/study 

• entry programs and scholarships 

– Oodgeroo Alternative Entry Scheme, Elite Athlete Entry 

Program 




Hear from a current student

Tania Carlos 

Bachelor of Business 

(Human Resources) 


Queensland University of Technology

About me! 

• From Darwin, NT 

• Graduated from high school a long time ago 

• Workforce for over 15 years 

• Mature age student 

• Married...and a mum 

• Studying human resource management 

• Changing career 

a university for the 

real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

How I got here….. 

• I wanted a career change 

• Commonwealth Government employee for 11 years 

• 2009 - TAFE course in preparation for uni 

• 2010 - baby! 

• 2010 - offer of scholarship 

• Bachelor of Business (HR) 

• Secured internship with state government in HR 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Barriers to returning to study…… 

• Financial commitments 

• Family commitments 

• Will I get in to uni 

• Fear of failure 

• Out of my comfort zone 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

How you can get into uni…… 

• OP alone 

• Alternate Entry Program 

• TAFE 

• Q-Step Program 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Why QUT 

• QUT chose me! 

• Indigenous Leadership Scholarship 

• Great reputation 

• Industry links 

• So much support 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

What support is there... 

• Student Guild 

• Student Support Advisors 

• Oodgeroo Unit 

• Equity 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

The best bits about uni….. 

• Learning something new 

• Meeting new people 

• Flexibility 

• Social aspect 

• Always something on 

• Opportunities 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

….and some of the challenges 

• Learning new things 

• Finding my way around 

• Feeling out of my depth 

• Trying to juggle everything 

• Less social time 

• Less sleep! 

• Less money/financial worries 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

My Uni Week 

M T W T F S S 

8am Baby Work Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby 

9am 

10am 

11am 

Rhyme Time 

12pm 

1pm 

2pm 

3pm 

4pm 

Tutor 

Tutorial 

Lecture 

Lecture 

Tutorial 

5pm Exercise Exercise 

6pm Study Study Tutorial Study Study Study 

7pm 

Lecture Tutor 

8pm 

R 


real world 

9pm Bad reality TV Bad reality TV 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Making the decision to return to study…. 

• Was not an easy one 

• I put it off for many years 

• Reached the top of my increment in a corporation with flat structure 

• Wanted new challenges 

• Needed to study to pursue career in HR 

But you can…….. 

• Study part-time 

• Study externally 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Be assured……… 

• There’s heaps of support for you! 

• It’s okay, and normal to be unsure 

• You will have a great time and learn new skills 

• You will be presented with new opportunities 

• You’ll get out of it what you put in 

• But most importantly……you will be ok! 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

The Future?? 

• Graduate in 2012 

• Honours (??) 

• Successful new career 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

My Top Tips 

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions 

• Get informed….gather as much information as 

you can 

• Talk to other mature age students 

• Talk to student advisors 

• Do it! Because you can! 


real world 

R 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Support, flexibility, community and 


technology

Transition to study 

It can take a while, sometimes all of first semester, 

and into the second for students to transition into 

university. 

Many factors influence transition: 

• being uncertain about the course 

• financial concerns 

• previous educational experiences 

• family experience with higher education 

• balancing study, work, life … 

• timely access to support services 

• getting to know peers, staff and place 

• understanding expectations. 

Tip: prepare for university by researching what it will be like 

– read student blogs, take a virtual tour, come to events 

and Orientation – www.qut.edu.au/starthere 


CRICOS No. 00213J

First year experience program 

A QUT program that aims to: 

• ensure that students have access to the 

information and services they need for a 

successful transition 

• provide curriculum that engages students in 

learning and develops the skills necessary for 

learning in higher education and in their 

discipline 

• identify students who need support and 

connect them with personal and academic 

support services 

• create opportunities for students to network 

with peers and staff. 



Making the transition 

• Orientation 

• Free workshops, seminars and online 

tutorials for study skills 

• Mentor and peer support programs 

• Easy access to library staff 

• IT Helpdesk 

www.qut.edu.au/support 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Finding a balance 

QUT offers flexible study options to help you 

manage your life. 

Depending on the course, you may be able to: 

• attend evening classes 

• try one unit 

• accelerate your studies with summer semester 

• start mid-year 

• take a leave of absence if needed. 

Contact time of around three hours per 

week per unit plus additional time for 

research and study. 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Life friendly community 

• Staff will help students find the right type of service 

• Conveniently located campuses and free shuttle bus 

between Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove 

• Childcare centre at Kelvin Grove campus 

• 24-hour security, night security escort service and bus 

• Disability services, language and learning support 

• Gymnasium, pool and sporting facilities 

• Shops, cafes, ATMs 

• Bulk billing medical service 

• Free confidential personal counselling 

• Career planning, advice and help finding part-time work 

• QUT Accommodation Service – advice, database 

• QUT Student Guild – accommodation, employment, 

second hand textbooks, tax and legal advice 

• Student ombudsman 



Save time with technology 

QUT Virtual 

• enrolment, manage timetable, exam 

results, books, computer accounts and 

passwords, fees, dates and notices. 

QUT Blackboard 

• unit outlines, reading lists, journal articles, 

recommended readings, lecture notes, past 

exams, quizzes, discussion, live chat, QUT 

wiki, assignment upload links. 


CRICOS No. 00213J

More than a library 

• library at each campus and a specialist law 

library at Gardens Point 

• extended hours 

• study areas, computer labs, copying and 

printing services, wireless laptop access 

• electronic and print resources – journals, 

books, recommended readings, past exam 

papers 

• free classes to help with research, finding 

journal articles and Internet searching 

• online request service access to all QUT 

libraries and Griffith University library 


www.library.qut.edu.au 


Easy access 

• 24-hour student computing labs at Kelvin 

Grove and Gardens Point, and extended hours 

lab at Caboolture 

• IT Helpdesk 

• certified online IT training at your own pace 

• laptop purchase program 

• wireless access 

• cheap and convenient printing service 

• Assignment Minder secure assignment 

lodgement at any campus 



QUT careers and employment 

• jobs vacancies (QUT CareerHub) – while 

studying, and graduate/postgraduate 

• graduate recruitment program and 

publications 

• Careers and Futures Fair and links to Virtual 

Fairs 

• graduate destinations from previous year 

• resume checking /workshops 

• specific drop-in sessions 

• Career Mentor Scheme 

• career counselling 

www.qut.edu.au 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Disability services 

At QUT, a disability is defined as any impairment, injury or 

medical condition, which may affect a student’s ability to 

undertake a program of study successfully. 

Some, such as physical or sensory disabilities may be 

obvious, while others may not be apparent unless disclosed 

by the student (e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, dyslexia or mental 

health difficulties etc). 

A disability may be permanent, short-term or episodic in 

nature. 

• Temporary or short-term eg broken limbs, glandular fever 

• Episodic or permanent eg wheelchair user, psychiatric 

condition, learning difficulty, epilepsy 

www.qut.edu.au 


CRICOS No. 00213J

What kind of help is available? 

A service plan is made with a Disability Adviser outlining the 

student’s needs, they may include: 

• note-takers 

• assistive technology labs (in each Library) 

• study materials in alternative formats e.g. Braille, large 

print, electronic 

• physically accessible buildings, rooms and equipment 

• assessment support e.g. extra exam time, alternative 

formats 

• assistive hearing technology e.g. taped lectures, hearing 

devices. 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Student finance: 

study costs, scholarships and 

financial support 

CRICOS No. 00213J

It may not be as expensive as 

you think 

• Commonwealth supported places 

• HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP 

• Unit and living costs 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Commonwealth supported 

places 

• most domestic undergraduate students are in 

Commonwealth supported places (CSP) 

• defer payment of contribution with HECS-HELP 

• loans are repaid at a rate of four to eight per cent 

depending on salary (once over threshold of 

$47,196 for the 2011-2012 financial year) 

• up-front payments, or partial payments can be 

made (discounts for amounts of $500 or more) 

• citizenship rules apply for both Commonwealth 

supported places and HECS-HELP. 


www.goingtouni.gov.au 


Commonwealth supported places 

Band 3 

Band 2 

Band 1 

Band 

Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, 

Commerce 

Built Environment, Information Technology, Health, 

Engineering, Surveying, Computing 

Behavioural Science, Education, Foreign Languages, 

Nursing , Visual and Performing Arts 

Estimated cost (two 

semesters) 

$9080 

$7756 

$5442 

National 

Priority 

Areas 

Mathematics, Statistics, Science $4355 

The bands are indicative only. The actual contribution may vary depending on the 

units studied, the band for each unit. The contribution can vary from semester to 

semester. Visit www.qut.edu.au/study/applying/fees/ 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Unit costs and living costs 

Apart from textbooks, there may be additional 

costs for courses or units such as safety 

certificates and training courses, travel and 

accommodation for pracs or field trips, 

uniforms, art materials, vaccinations. 

www.qut.edu.au/study 

Also consider transport, food, photocopying, 

printing, stationery, mobile phone, clothing, 

entertainment + rent, electricity, etc 

www.accommodation.qut.edu.au 

www.counselling.qut.edu.au 

www.qut.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Sources of financial support 

• Centrelink 

― investigate Austudy, Abstudy, Youth Allowance 

― www.centrelink.gov.au 

• work – full time or part time 

― www.careers.qut.edu.au and www.guildonline.net 

• faculty-based support 

― scholarships, bursaries, book vouchers, text book schemes and more 

― low-income student contact officers 

• Student Guild 

― Food Bank, emergency food vouchers, Telstra phone vouchers, phone 

cards 

• Counselling 

― Student Financial Assistance Scheme - short-term loans for eligible 

students 

― financial counselling workshops and financial helpline 

― www.counselling.qut.edu.au 

• employer study assistance 

• scholarships 



Scholarships 

• QUT offers a wide range of scholarships: 

- academic scholarships 

- sporting scholarships 

- equity scholarships for low-income students 

- faculty and course-specific scholarships 

• available for commencing and continuing 

students 

• visit www.qut.edu.au/scholarships 

• also external industry or community 

organisation scholarships and Commonwealth 

Scholarships 



Financial support for 

low-income students 

• In 2012 QUT has committed more than $2.5 million to 

students for needs-based scholarships, bursaries and 

free computers 

• QUT is one of the largest providers of needs-based 

scholarships in Australia 

• Based on financial hardship 

• One application form for all products and for different 

student types (e.g. domestic/international/Indigenous). 

All applications are considered for each of the equity 

based scholarships 

• Still apply if not eligible for Commonwealth 

Scholarships 


CRICOS No. 00213J

QUT equity scholarships 

• Equity Scholarships ($2500 for one year) 

• Equity Bursaries ($1000 for one year) 

• Faculty Equity Bursaries ($1000 for one semester) 

• Learning Potential Fund Scholarships (up to $5000 for 

one year). Limited scholarships available. 

• Indigenous Access Scholarships ($4485 for one 

semester) and related scholarships (up to $4700 

per year) 

• Equity computer scheme 

Apply by Monday 14 November. For more information 

visit www.equity.qut.edu.au/scholarships 


CRICOS No. 00213J

Commonwealth scholarships 

Check eligibility for Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy 

to ensure you don’t miss out – www.centrelink.gov.au 

Student Start-up Scholarship 

• full-time students Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY will 

receive the Student Start-up Scholarship at the beginning of 

each traditional tertiary semester. If you're eligible you'll 

receive the full amount of the Start-up Scholarship, even if 

you're not on the maximum payment rate from Centrelink. 

In 2011 this amount is $1097 for each six months. 

Relocation Scholarship 

• for eligible Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY Living Allowance 

customers who have to live away from the family home to 

study. If you're eligible, you'll receive the full amount of the 

Relocation Scholarship, even if you're not on the maximum 

payment rate from Centrelink. Up to $4124 in 2011. 



Course and career decision making 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Challenge your past 

experiences 

• what factors influenced your career decision 

making in the past 

• what was helpful, what wasn’t helpful 

• what do you wish you had known then that 

you know now 

• what concerns do you have about returning 

to study 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Challenge the myths 

• no-one in my family has been to university so 

I don’t really belong there either 

• only smart and rich people go to university 

• the current job market determines what career 

a person should choose 

• there is a test that can tell me what I should do 

• this decision affects the rest of my life 

• I have a high rank so I should choose a ‘smart’ 

course like Law 



Step by step process 

1. undertake self-exploration 

2. explore opportunities 

3. consider multiple pathways 

4. undertake thorough decision making 

5. develop an action plan 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Undertake self-exploration 

• think about your skills and aptitudes 

• consider your personality, interests, and values 

• work out what lifestyle you desire (ability to work 

part-time, wealth, status, travel) 

• resources: 

– Match My Skills 

– My Future (www.myfuture.edu.au) 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Explore opportunities 

• investigate occupations THEN courses 

• find out about various occupations: 

– what activities will I do on a daily basis 

– what kind of skills and abilities are used in 

the role 

– what values are linked to this role 

– how realistic are your goals – money, jobs, etc 

• resources: 

– My Future – The Facts (www.myfuture.edu.au) 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Consider multiple pathways 

What are the different pathways 

• how can you gain the skills needed to enter your 

chosen profession 

• what courses relate or lead to your chosen profession 

• what is a good first step 

– My Future website 


Find out more 

• what does the course involve 

• what subject areas will be covered 

• is there a good link with industry 

• how successful were past graduates in gaining 

employment 

– University websites 

– www.qut.edu.au/courses - look at units for assessment, 

contact hours, etc 

– www.careers.qut.edu.au/student/gradstat.jsp

Undertake thorough 

decision making 

Important criteria (examples listed to 

the right) 

Rate each criterion from 0 (not 

important) to 5 (very important) 

Industry 

experience 

in course 

Travel 

time 

Job 

availability 

Total 

3 2 5 n/a 

Rate how well each course meets the criteria above from 0 (does not meet at all) 

to 3 (meets very well) 

Rate from 0-3 how well this 

course meets the criteria 

above 

Degree A 3 3 1 7 

Degree B 2 2 3 7 

Multiply course score (above) 

by the rating of how important 

the criterion is, to give final 

ranking of Degree A against 

Degree B 

Degree A 3 x 3 = 9 3 x 2 = 6 1 x 5 = 5 20 

Degree B 2 x 3 = 6 2 x 2 = 4 3 x 5 = 15 25 



Develop an action plan 

Once you have decided on a number of courses 

consider: 

• how should I order my preferences 

• upgrading pathways 

• how do I apply 

• check any cut-off dates and portfolios or 

audition dates 

• look into fees, study and living costs, scholarships, 

and financial support, part-time jobs 

• visit the uni, organise accommodation, set up 

study area, consider travel, public transport 

CRICOS No. 00213J

Find out more 

• Information on the website and in publications 

– Real Options at www.qut.edu.au/real-options 

– QUT undergraduate discipline books 

– www.qut.edu.au/study 

• Talk to staff 

– phone 3138 2000 

– ask.qut.edu.au 

– Discover QUT – 27-29 September 

– Real Decisions – 20 December 

– www.qut.edu.au/explore/events 

– career counselling for prospective students (fee for 

service) www.careers.qut.edu.au 

• Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre 

– QTAC Guide, www.qtac.edu.au 

• Government advice 

– www.goingtouni.gov.au 

– www.centrelink.gov.au 



Talk to staff 

• Richard Pursey – gaining entry to QUT 

• Student ambassadors – course information, support 

services for students 

– Kyle Bush – Built Environment and Engineering 

– Tania Carlos – Business 

– Erin Gregor – Creative Industries/Business 

– Josh Baker and Kristina Pennell – Education 

– Kirralee Parsons – Health 

– Jennifer Turpin – Law/Justice 

• Nyree Hatzimihail 

– Making career decisions 

• Leanne Cain and Sarah Griinke – gaining entry to 

QUT, study costs, support services

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