You don't need to have studied specific subjects at school to apply for the majority of our undergraduate courses. We assume you have a minimum level of knowledge in certain subject areas before you start your course - we call this 'assumed knowledge'.

You can still apply if you don't have the assumed knowledge for your course, but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging courses to get the knowledge you'll need.

Prerequisites

Some of our courses have prerequisite subjects instead of, or in addition to, assumed knowledge.

That means you must have studied and met the required grade in the required subjects to gain entry to these courses.

If you don’t have the prerequisite subjects or are unsure whether your subjects meet the prerequisites check the list of equivalent subjects on this page.

What's the assumed knowledge or prerequisites for my course?

All of our courses have assumed knowledge, or for some courses a prerequisite, of English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C).

Check your course information to find out if there is any other assumed knowledge or prerequisites for your course.

I don't have the assumed knowledge for my course

If you don't have the assumed knowledge you might have trouble keeping up in your classes.

You can do extra studies to help you catch up on what you've missed.

English

You can successfully complete a year of vocational or tertiary study (university or TAFE) to satisfy the assumed knowledge or complete one of the other options listed in our assumed knowledge/prerequisite equivalent subjects.

Maths

We recommend that you complete bridging or preparatory studies before or during your first semester.

We offer mathematics bridging programs or you can complete one of the other options listed in our assumed knowledge equivalent subjects.

Discover mathematics bridging programs

I didn't complete Year 12 in Queensland

Check our assumed knowledge equivalent subjects to see if you have equivalent knowledge if you've completed:

  • Year 12 in another state
  • the International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • studies at university or TAFE.

Assumed knowledge equivalent and prerequisite subjects

If you plan to complete preparatory studies before your course commences to meet our prerequisite or assumed knowledge guidelines, check our guide to equivalent subjects for secondary school subjects, tertiary and bridging studies.

Use below as guide to see if your previous studies are acceptable. Predecessor versions of the subjects listed below are generally acceptable.

English equivalent subjects

Secondary school studies

Qualification/StateEquivalent
International Baccalaureate

One of:

  • English A: Literature
  • English A: Language and Literature
  • English B
ACT

One of:

  • English
  • Language and Literature
  • World Literature
  • English A: Language and Literature
  • English A: Literature
  • English as a Second Language (ESL).
NSW

One of:

  • English Standard
  • English Advanced
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • English Extension 1
  • English Extension 2.
QLD (OP)

One of:

  • English
  • English as a Second Language
  • English Extension
SA and NT

One of:

  • English
  • English Studies
  • English Communication
  • English as a second language studies
  • English as an Additional Language.
TAS

One of:

  • English Literature
  • Writers Workshop
  • World Literature
  • English Studies
  • English Communications
  • English Writing.
VIC

One of:

  • English
  • English (ESL)
  • Literature
  • English Language.
WA

One of:

  • English (ESL) General
  • English Course
  • English Literature
  • English for ESL students
  • English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Stage 3)

Tertiary and bridging studies

InstitutionEquivalent
QUT

One of:

  • Completion of at least one year full-time (or equivalent) of study at degree level with a passing grade point average (GPA); or
  • QCF265 Contemporary Literature Studies; or
  • KWB104 Writing Fiction; or
  • KWB113 Introduction to Creative Writing; or
  • KWB116 Writing Creative Non-Fiction; or
  • KWB118 Genre Writing and Storytelling; or
  • QCF315 Literature Studies.
TAFE or VET

Completion of at least one year full-time (or equivalent) of study at diploma or advanced diploma level with a passing grade point average (GPA).

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (10765NAT)

Both of:

  • ATPALS001  Apply academic learning skills; and
  • ATPALS002  Apply advanced academic learning skills to develop an academic argument.
Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (11240NAT)

Both of:

  • NAT11240001 Apply academic learning skills; and
  • NAT11240002 Apply advanced academic learning skills to develop an academic argument.
CQUniversity

LNGE40049 Essay Writing for University

Griffith Bridging

9001HLS Intro to Communication and Literacy

James Cook University (JCU) BR1224 Critical Literacy: Text Analysis
TAFE NSW

Both of:

  • NSWTEGL301B: Apply language and learn skills; and
  • NSWTEGL401A: Apply critical and evaluative language and learn skills.
Unilearn UNL14 Senior English
UQ College Academic English
University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

Both of:

  • TPP0111 Communicating at University A; and
  • TPP7123 Communicating at University B.
University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) TPP101 Academic Skills for Success
Other tertiary institutions

One of:

  • completion of at least one year full-time (or equivalent) of study at degree, diploma or advanced diploma level with a passing grade point average (GPA) within Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom or United States of America (USA); or
  • any unit equivalent to the QUT units listed above.

Maths equivalent subjects

Secondary school studies

Mathematical Methods
Qualification/StateEquivalent
International Baccalaureate

One of:

  • Mathematics: analysis and approaches
  • Mathematics: applications and interpretation (HL)
ACT One of:
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics II
  • Specialist Mathematics.
NSW

One of:

  • Mathematics 2, 3 or 4 unit
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Extension 1
  • Mathematics Extension 2.
QLD (OP) Maths B (4, SA)
SA and NT

One of:

  • Mathematics 1
  • Mathematical Studies.
TAS

One of:

  • Mathematics
  • Algebra and Geometry
  • Analysis and Statistics
  • Mathematics Stage 2 or 3
  • Mathematics Methods Senior Secondary 5C.
VIC
  • Mathematical Methods
WA

One of:

  • Applicable Mathematics
  • Calculus
  • Mathematics II.
General Mathematics

You can also meet the assumed knowledge requirements for General Mathematics by completing any of the studies listed for Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics.

Qualification/StateEquivalent
International Baccalaureate Mathematics: applications and interpretation
ACT Mathematical Applications
NSW

One of:

  • General Mathematics
  • Mathematics in Practice
  • Mathematics in Society.
QLD (OP) Maths A (4, SA)
SA and NT

One of:

  • Quantitative Methods
  • Mathematical Methods.
TAS

One of:

  • Mathematics Applied
  • Maths Applied
  • Mathematics Applied Senior Secondary 5C.
VIC Further Mathematics
WA

One of:

  • Mathematics I
  • Modelling with Mathematics
  • Mathematics IV.
Specialist Mathematics
Qualification/StateEquivalent
International Baccalaureate Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL)
ACT Specialist Mathematics
NSW Mathematics Extension 2
SA and NT Specialist Mathematics
TAS Mathematics Specialised
VIC Specialist Mathematics
WA Mathematics Specialist

Tertiary and bridging studies

Mathematical Methods
InstitutionEquivalent
QUT

One of:

  • QCF257 Advanced Mathematics 2; or
  • Mathematical Methods Bridging Program; or
  • MZB103 Introduction to Statistics and MZB104 Quantitative Methods; or
  • MZB103 Introduction to Statistics and MZB105 Introduction to Calculus; or
  • EGD105 Modelling with Introductory Calculus.
TAFE or VET

One of:

  • TPEEA002 Engineering Maths A and TPEEA003 Engineering Maths B
  • completed Diploma of Information Technology (for IT courses only).
Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (10765NAT)

Successful completion of all three Pure Mathematics units:

  • ATPPMA001 Solve pure mathematics problems involving trigonometry and algebra; and
  • ATPPMA002 Solve pure mathematics problems involving statistics and functions; and
  • ATPPMA003 Solve pure mathematics problems involving calculus.

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (11240NAT)

Successful completion of all three Pure Mathematics units:

  • NAT11240021 Solve pure mathematics problems involving trigonometry and algebra; and
  • NAT11240022 Solve pure mathematics problems involving statistics and functions; and
  • NAT11240023 Solve pure mathematics problems involving calculus.
CQUniversity MATH40252 Technical Mathematics for University
Griffith Bridging Maths B Bridging Course
GU College

Both of:

  • 1011SCG Mathematics IA; and
  • 1012SCG Mathematics IB.
James Cook University (JCU) MA0020 Bridging Maths/Preparatory Maths
TAFE NSW TMTH401 Use mathematics in a range of contexts
Unilearn UNL32 Senior Mathematics
UQ College

One of:

  • Mathematical Methods; or
  • Pure Mathematics (Mathematical Methods).
University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

TPP0183 Mathematical Methods

University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC)

TPP115 Mathematical Methods for Science and Engineering

Other tertiary institutions

Any unit equivalent to the QUT units or unit combinations listed above.

General Mathematics

You can also meet the assumed knowledge requirements for General Mathematics by completing any of the studies listed for Mathematical Methods.

InstitutionEquivalent
QUT

One of:

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (10765NAT)

Successful completion of both General Mathematics units:

  • ATPGMA001 Use and apply mathematics in real world contexts; and
  • ATPGMA002 Use and apply financial mathematics, probability and statistics in real world contexts.

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (11240NAT)

Successful completion of both General Mathematics units:

  • NAT11240012 Apply general mathematics in real world contexts; and
  • NAT11240013 Apply statistical and algebraic theory in real world contexts.
CQUniversity

MATH40228 Intermediate Maths

GU College

One of:

  • 1003PSY Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
  • 1014SCG Statistics; or
  • FND114 General Mathematics.
Unilearn UNL31 Introductory Mathematics
UQ College General Mathematics
University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

TPP0182 General Mathematics

University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) TPP105 Statistics
Other tertiary institutions

Any unit equivalent to the QUT units listed above.

Physics equivalent subjects

Secondary school studies

Qualification/StateEquivalent
International Baccalaureate Physics
ACT Physics
NSW

One of:

  • Physics 2 unit
  • Physics
  • Science 3 or 4 unit.
QLD (OP) Physics (4, SA)
SA and NT Physics
TAS

One of:

  • Physics
  • Applied Science - Physical Sciences.
VIC Physics
WA

One of:

  • Physics
  • Physical Science.

Tertiary and bridging studies

InstitutionEquivalent
QUT

PVB105 Foundations of Physics

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (10765NAT)

Successful completion of all three physics units:

  • ATPPHY001 Demonstrate the application of motion and force to physics problems; and
  • ATPPHY002 Demonstrate the application of mechanics and optics to physics problems; and
  • ATPPHY003 Demonstrate the application of theory to electromagnetism and nuclear physics problems.

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (11240NAT)

Successful completion of all three physics units:

  • NAT11240018 Demonstrate the application of motion and force to physics problems; and
  • NAT11240019 Demonstrate the application of mechanics and optics to physics problems; and
  • NAT11240020 Demonstrate the application of theory to electromagnetism and nuclear physics problems.
CQUniversity PHYS40110 Introductory Physics
UQ College Physics
University of Southern Queensland (USQ) TTP0160 Preparatory Physics
Unilearn UNL71 Physics
Other tertiary institutions Any unit equivalent to the QUT units listed above.

Chemistry equivalent subjects

Secondary school studies

Qualification/StateEquivalent
International Baccalaureate Chemistry
ACT Chemistry
NSW

One of:

  • Chemistry 2 unit
  • Chemistry
  • Science 3 or 4 unit.
QLD (OP) Chemistry (4, SA)
SA and NT Chemistry
TAS Chemistry
VIC Chemistry
WA Chemistry

Tertiary and bridging studies

InstitutionEquivalent
QUT

One of:

  • LQB180 Foundations of Biochemistry; or
  • LQD180 Foundations of Biochemistry; or
  • CVB101 General Chemistry.
Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (10765NAT)

Successful completion of all three chemistry units:

  • ATPCHE001 Demonstrate the practical and theoretical application of introductory chemistry; and
  • ATPCHE002 Apply principles of chemical reactions and systems in theory and practice; and
  • ATPCHE003 Demonstrate the application of theory relating to electrochemistry and organic chemistry.

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (11240NAT)

Successful completion of all three chemistry units:

  • NAT11240007 Demonstrate the practical and theoretical application of introductory chemistry; and
  • NAT11240008 Apply principles of chemical reactions and systems in theory and practice; and
  • NAT11240009 Demonstrate the application of theory relating to electrochemistry and organic chemistry.
CQUniversity CHEM40079 Introductory Chemistry
GU College

One of:

  • 1411ESC Chemistry 1
  • 1001GRC Chemistry in Biological Systems.
University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) TTP103 Chemistry
UQ College Chemistry
Unilearn UNL21 Chemistry
Other tertiary institutions

Any unit equivalent to the QUT units listed above.

Biology equivalent subjects

Secondary school studies

Qualification/StateEquivalent
International Baccalaureate Biology
ACT

One of:

  • Biology
  • Human Biology
  • Biological Sciences
NSW Biology
SA and NT Biology
QLD (OP) Biology (4, SA)
TAS Biology
VIC Biology
WA

One of:

  • Biology
  • Human Biology

Tertiary and bridging studies

InstitutionEquivalent
QUT

One of:

  • LQB182 Cell and Molecular Biology; or
  • BVB101 Foundations of Biology; or
  • LQB187 Human Anatomy; or
  • LSB142 Human Anatomy and Physiology; or
  • LSD142 Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (10765NAT)

Successful completion of both biology units:

  • ATPBIO001 Apply science inquiry to solve biology problems relating to cells and multicellular organisms; and
  • ATPBIO002 Apply theory of ecosystems and genetics in biology

Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (11240NAT)

Successful completion of both biology units:

  • NAT11240005 Apply science inquiry to solve biology problems relating to cells and multicellular organisms; and
  • NAT11240006 Apply theory of ecosystems and genetics in biology.
CQUniversity BIOL40108 Introductory Biology
GU College

One of:

  • 1016MSC Anatomy and Physiology Systems 1
  • 10141SCG Biological Systems.
University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) TTP109 Biology
UQ College Biology
Unilearn UNL44 Biology
Other university institutions Any unit equivalent to the QUT units listed above.

Settings

PWA is currently

Diagnostics