Admissions to University after TAFE

Getting admission to a university after completing a TAFE (Technical and Further Education) course is a common pathway in Australia.

Graduates of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Advanced Diploma or Diploma completed at a TAFE Institute may gain certain academic credits towards a related university course. The amount of credit received depends on the agreed arrangements for the qualification and the future higher education qualification applied for.

Many Australian universities have formal partnerships with TAFE institutes to provide pathways from TAFE courses to university degrees. For example some universities allow students who have completed TAFE diploma into the first year of a bachelor degree with eased requirements, and a successfully completed advanced diploma could qualify them for direct admission to the second year of a bachelor degree.

Some Institutes also partner with universities to deliver graduate qualifications at a TAFE campus, and there are many integrated programs that allow students to progress from a diploma to a degree.

Transfer Process

Each university and course will have specific entry requirements. Ensure you meet these requirements, which may include prerequisites, minimum grades, or additional assessments.

Before enrolling or applying for credit, students should contact both the TAFE Institute and the relevant university or other institution for up-to-date information about such arrangements, and how to apply for it.

If your TAFE qualification is eligible, you can apply for credit transfer. This means that some of the units you completed at TAFE will count towards your university degree, reducing the time and cost of your studies.

In general students are asked to provide evidence of the TAFE qualification when applying for entry or at enrollment. In cases if there is no information on the university website for a chosen TAFE course students could still approach any Australian university to negotiate a credit arrangement.

Example Pathways

• From TAFE Certificate IV/Diploma to University: If you complete a TAFE Diploma in a field like Business, you might be able to enter a Bachelor of Business Administration program at a university, potentially with advanced standing (credit for subjects already studied).
• From TAFE to Engineering Degree: If you completed a TAFE Advanced Diploma in Engineering, you could apply to enter an Engineering degree at a university and receive credit for the technical units you completed at TAFE, allowing you to fast-track your university studies.