Preparing for Success Program

2023 course information for Domestic Students
2023 course information for International Students

updated 6:11 AM on Thu, 27 April

Domestic snapshot

International snapshot

ATAR
N/A
Duration
0.5 years full-time
0.5 years full-time
Location
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore, Online
Start date
March, July, October
Course code
2307160
Course abbreviation
PSP
Credit points
48
Equivalent units
4
CRICOS
View in availability and fee details
Fees
Commonwealth supported
Fees
View in availability and fee details

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Course overview

Unleash your potential with our Preparing for Success Program (PSP). It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking a career change or didn't graduate from high school; university is a real option for you.

This flexible, fee-free course has been designed with you in mind. Open to Australian residents over the age of 18, you can study on campus or online, full-time over three months or part-time over a year. The course is taught in six week blocks so you can focus on one or two units at a time. Graduates gain direct entry into a range of Southern Cross University degrees*.

This award-winning program teaches you how to manage your time, write essays, undertake research and apply mathematical concepts, providing the skills you need to succeed at university and progress towards a new career. 

Apply online today for this fee-free course.

Please note:

  • *Some courses also have additional entry requirements such as an interview or English language requirements. Please refer to the relevant course page for further information.
  • For students completing the Preparing for Success Program who plan to gain entry into the Bachelor of Engineering Systems (Honours), if admission is offered on the basis of completion of the PSP, students need to achieve a Distinction or above in their maths unit UNIP1003 Problem Solving with Maths. 
  • For students completing the Preparing for Success Program (PSP) who plan to gain entry into the Bachelor of  Midwifery, if admission is offered on the basis of completion of the PSP, students need to achieve a Credit average or above in the program.

Unleash your potential with our Preparing for Success Program (PSP). It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking a career change or didn't graduate from high school; university is a real option for you.

This flexible, fee-free course has been designed with you in mind. Open to Australian residents over the age of 18, you can study on campus or online, full-time over three months or part-time over a year. The course is taught in six week blocks so you can focus on one or two units at a time. Graduates gain direct entry into a range of Southern Cross University degrees*.

This award-winning program teaches you how to manage your time, write essays, undertake research and apply mathematical concepts, providing the skills you need to succeed at university and progress towards a new career. 

Apply online today for this fee-free course.

Please note:

  • *Some courses also have additional entry requirements such as an interview or English language requirements. Please refer to the relevant course page for further information.
  • For students completing the Preparing for Success Program who plan to gain entry into the Bachelor of Engineering Systems (Honours), if admission is offered on the basis of completion of the PSP, students need to achieve a Distinction or above in their maths unit UNIP1003 Problem Solving with Maths. 
  • For students completing the Preparing for Success Program (PSP) who plan to gain entry into the Bachelor of  Midwifery, if admission is offered on the basis of completion of the PSP, students need to achieve a Credit average or above in the program.

Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.

Entry requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

To satisfy both general admission and English Language Proficiency Requirements, applicants must have achieved one of the following;

  1. successful completion of Australian year 10 or equivalent taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries* or higher; or
  2. achieved an International Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test score equal to or above IELTS 5.5 with no band less than 5.0 or comparable as determined by the Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Quality)(see ELP IELTS Equivalency Schedule);
  3. Applicants may be required to:
    1. submit a Personal Competencies Statement addressing specific criteria as detailed on the Southern Cross University website; and or
    2. attend an interview; and or
    3. provide any additional documentation requirements as specified by the Director of SCU College.

Note: Applicants who already hold a Bachelors or higher level qualification (greater than or equal to AQF 7) are not eligible for admission into the program.

* Recognised Countries;

Australia, American Samoa; Botswana; Canada; Fiji; Ghana; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; New Zealand; Nigeria; Papua New Guinea; Singapore; Solomon Islands; South Africa; Tonga Trinidad and Tobago; United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland); United States of America; Zambia; Zimbabwe

About the course

The course comprises four units. Three compulsory units focus on individual and group management skills essential for successful university performance, effective research strategies and written communication, and practical numeracy skills. The fourth unit provides a choice of developing research and writing skills in the arts and business, or in the sciences.

Domestic students

Location Teaching period
Coffs HarbourTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5
LismoreTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5

International students

How to apply

Where and when do you want to study?

Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.

Australian/Domestic students

View domestic application details View international application details

Course requirements

To meet the requirements of this course students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points) comprising:

Participation

Students who do not participate in a unit before the census date will be deemed to be inactive and un-enrolled from the unit. Participation is determined by presence on the online learning site, and by submitting their first assessment (Assessment 1).
 
Exclusion
 
The Chair of the College Board may exclude a student for a maximum of one (1) study period where a student has received Absent Fail Grades for all units attempted in a period of study.

Course structure


Schedule of units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes

Core Units

UNIP1001Managing Your Study
UNIP1002Communicating at University
UNIP1003Problem Solving with Maths

Option Unit

Select one (1) unit from the following:
UNIP1004Studying Science
UNIP1005Issues and Enquiry in Arts and Business


Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

UNIP1001Managing Your Study
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3,5
N/A
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
N/A
Lismore
Term1,3,5
N/A
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A
UNIP1002Communicating at University
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3,5
N/A
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
N/A
Lismore
Term1,3,5
N/A
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A
UNIP1003Problem Solving with Maths
Summer Term
Term2,4
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Summer Term
Term2,4
N/A
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term2,4
N/A
Lismore
Summer Term
Term2,4
N/A
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
N/A
Option Unit


Unit groups

Option Unit

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
UNIP1004Studying Science
UNIP1005Issues and Enquiry in Arts and Business

Why choose SCU?

Excellence in research

Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.

Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018

Top 200 Young Universities

Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020

Outstanding student support

5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Good Universities Guide 2021

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.


Assessment methods

The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit and may include essays, reports, presentations and group work.

Teaching methods

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked tutorials, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit-to-unit.

This course is taught in six-week blocks. You can focus your learning by studying one or two units at a time in each block.

Career opportunities

This program provides an alternative entry pathway into Southern Cross University. The course is suited to school leavers or TAFE students who have taken the vocational strand of learning but would now like to go to university. The course is also valuable for those who have spent time away from the academic environment for family, career or personal reasons and who wish to revise their skills before undertaking a university degree.

Students who successfully complete the Preparing for Success Program are guaranteed a place in a Southern Cross University course*.

Please note that some degrees have extra application requirements such as an interview or audition. Check the individual degree you are interested in for details.

*Some courses also have additional entry requirements such as an interview, refer to the course overview above and also to the relevant course page for further information. 

Ask a question

Domestic future
students

Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.

International future
students

Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.

Current
students

Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.

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