Your Pathway from TAFE to University

Turn your hard-earned skills into new opportunities and a clear path to your career.

How it works Explore eligible pathways Contact our team
Students walking up a staircase on the Gold Coast campus

Turn your qualification into a degree with over 300 credit agreements

If you’ve completed a Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma, you may already meet entry requirements for many of our degrees and receive credit for what you’ve achieved. Southern Cross University has over 300 formal credit agreements with TAFE institutes and other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These arrangements span major study areas including health, science, engineering, education, business, law and specialist fields like tourism and hospitality. Our approach is simple: increase accessibility, reduce barriers to higher education and support lifelong learning for students from diverse backgrounds. 

What does this mean for you?

  • Guaranteed entry into many courses when minimum qualifications are met
  • Credit for prior study, so you won’t repeat what you already know
  • Shorter study time and lower costs
  • Dedicated advisers to guide your transition
  • Scholarships and personalised support for TAFE/VET graduates

Build on your TAFE or VET qualification and take the next step with Southern Cross University

Comprehensive Pathways

Over 300 formal credit arrangements with TAFE and other RTOs, making it easier to transition to university.

Wide range of study areas

Our credit arrangements span health, science, engineering, education, business, law and specialist fields like tourism and hospitality.

Streamlined Credit Transfer

Get credit for your TAFE or VET studies so you can skip repeating units and finish your degree sooner.

Strategic Collaboration

Our partnerships with the vocational sector support workforce development and lifelong learning.

How it works

Submit your TAFE or VET qualification when applying

As part of your application to study, upload your Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma from TAFE or any RTO so we can start your assessment. 

How to apply

We'll review your credit and map your options

Our team looks at your previous study, experience and goals to work out how much credit you can receive and which degrees you’re eligible for. If we have any questions, we'll contact you directly. 

More about credit recognition

Start your degree with a clear pathway

With your credit applied, offer accepted and enrolment all done. You can then begin your degree with fewer units and a lighter study load. 

Accept and enrol

Explore TAFE and VET pathways to Southern Cross University

Health

Sample Pathways:

  • Bachelor of Community Welfare
    • Certificate IV in Community Services
    • Diploma of Youth Work
    • Diploma of Counselling
  • Bachelor of Nursing
    • Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing)
  • Bachelor of Social Work
    • Certificate IV in Youth Work
    • Diploma of Community Services
Nursing student with anatomy model

Science, IT and Engineering

Sample Pathways:

  • Bachelor of Information Technology
    • Certificate IV in Information Technology
    • Diploma of Software Development
    • Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
  • Bachelor of Engineering Systems (Honours)
    • Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design
Digital Enterprise Lab - Information Technology

Education

Sample Pathways:

  • Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
    • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
    • Diploma of School Age Education and Care
  • Bachelor of Education
    • Diploma of Children’s Services
Teacher sitting on a classroom table.

Business and Law

Sample Pathways:

  • Bachelor of Business
    • Certificate IV in Business
    • Diploma of Leadership and Management
    • Advanced Diploma of Accounting
  • Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
    • Diploma of Legal Services
    • Diploma of Crime and Justice Studies
  • Associate Degree in Law
    • Diploma of Paralegal Services
Student sitting in front of law books

Hospitality and Hotel Management

Sample Pathways:

  • Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management
    • Diploma of Hospitality Management
    • Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery
    • Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Associate Degree of International Hotel and Tourism Management
    • Diploma of Hospitality Management
    • Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism
Hotel owner

More Options

Other Pathways and Student Support:

There’s more than one way into uni, and we’re here to help you find the right fit.

Along with TAFE and VET pathways, you can explore other entry options including SCU College pathways. Along with study and wellbeing services, there's also financial support and scholarships to make study more affordable.

If you need a hand at any point, our team is always here to support you.

two students helping each other