Overview

Course Overview

Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) is a university Enabling course designed to provide you with a pathway to gain entry to and succeed in higher education. As a STEPS student, you will complete one core unit and a number of electives. The number and type of electives you take will depend on the course you intend to study after STEPS and consideration of your personal circumstances. When you enrol in STEPS, an Access Coordinator will establish a personalised study plan designed specifically to develop your knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve your learning goals. STEPS can be studied full-time or part-time, on campus or online, and typically takes two or three terms to complete. Upon successful completion of STEPS, you can apply for direct entry to almost any undergraduate courses at CQUniversity.

Career Information

Upon completion of STEPS, you can apply for direct entry to a CQUniversity undergraduate course where direct entry is available. Alternatively, you may choose to apply for admission to other institutions that recognise STEPS.

Course Details
Duration 0.5 years full-time or 1 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 18
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses.
Expected Hours of Study Information not available
Course Type Non-award
Qualification (post nominal) No information available at this time
AQF Level Short Course

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?

Domestic Availability

  • Term 3 - 2027
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2027
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2027
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2026
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2026
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2026
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2025
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2025
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2025
    Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2024
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2024
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2024
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2023
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2023
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2023
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2022
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2022
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2022
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2021
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2021
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2021
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2020
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2020
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2020
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2019
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Noosa Online Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2019
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Noosa Online Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2019
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Noosa Online Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
  • Term 3 - 2018
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Distance Gladstone Mackay Noosa Perth Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
  • Term 2 - 2018
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Distance Gladstone Mackay Noosa Perth Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
  • Term 1 - 2018
    Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Distance Gladstone Mackay Noosa Perth Rockhampton Sydney Townsville

International Availability

  • Term 3 - 2027
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2027
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2027
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2026
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2026
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2026
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2025
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2025
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2025
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2024
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2024
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2024
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2023
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2023
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2023
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2022
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2022
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2022
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2021
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2021
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2021
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2020
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2020
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2020
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2019
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2019
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2019
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 3 - 2018
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 2 - 2018
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
  • Term 1 - 2018
    Sorry, no international availabilities found.
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at https://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Academic Requirements

To be eligible for admission to STEPS, you must:

  • be at least 18 within an academic year of enrolment
  • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident of Australia or holder of an Australian humanitarian visa
  • reside in Australia.

STEPS is designed for students who have not completed a university degree. If you have completed a university degree, please contact the STEPS Admin team (steps-admin@cqu.edu.au) to discuss your study options. 

Assumed Knowledge

Nil

Security Requirements

Nil

Health Requirements

Nil

Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation
  • Not applicable

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2025 1714
2024 1599
2023 1556
2022 1786
2021 2121
Inherent Requirements
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Demonstrate literacy skills appropriate for academic purposes
  • 2. Employ organisational, problem solving and IT skills in relation to academic studies
  • 3. Interpret and act in accordance with university processes, procedures, policies and protocols required of an undergraduate student
  • 4. Communicate effectively in a range of academic and non-academic contexts
  • 5. Develop an appropriate study plan that aligns with personal and career aspirations
  • 6. Reflect on performance and feedback to develop self management and lifelong learning skills in individual and collaborative contexts
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Skills for Tertiary Entry Preparatory Studies (STEPS) Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Course Requirements
Number of units: 1 Total credit points: 6

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SKIL40025 Preparation Skills for University
Skills for Tertiary Entry Preparatory Studies (STEPS) Elective View Full Course Structure
Number of units: 2 Total credit points: 12

In order to complete STEPS, you must complete the core unit, SKIL40025 Preparation Skills for University, and at least two elective units. The number and type of electives required depend on the requirements of the undergraduate course to which you aspire and your personal circumstances. An Access Coordinator will establish a study plan in consultation with you when you enrol.

Available units
Students may choose to do any of the following:
BIOL40108 Introductory Biology
CHEM40079 Introductory Chemistry
COIT40206 Computing Skills for University
LNGE40049 Essay Writing for University
MATH40237 Fundamental Mathematics for University
MATH40228 Intermediate Mathematics for University
MATH40252 Technical Mathematics for University
PHYS40110 Introductory Physics
EDED40351 Culture And Learning
INDG40015 Indigenous Australians and Education
INDG40016 Indigenous Australians and Health
More Details

Part time study involves 1 to 2 units per term equating to 12.5 - 25 hours per week. This study mode is recommended for students who have not studied for some time, are working full time, or have significant personal commitments.

 

Full time study involves 3 to 4 units per term equating to 37.5 - 50 hours per week. This study mode is recommended for students who can devote themselves to full time study.

 

As a general rule, STEPS does not meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for undergraduate courses at CQUniversity. Students who do not meet the ELP requirements are required to demonstrate ELP before they can be accepted into an undergraduate course at CQUniversity. A more comprehensive explanation of the ELP requirements and the various ways of meeting them can be found on the CQUniversity website: https://www.cqu.edu.au/study/future-students/your-journey/application-information/english-language-proficiency.