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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 two core units 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.
| 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
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
|---|---|
|
International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
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Domestic Availability
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Term 3 - 2027Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 2 - 2027Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 1 - 2027Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 3 - 2026Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 2 - 2026Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 1 - 2026Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 3 - 2025Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 2 - 2025Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 1 - 2025Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 3 - 2024Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 2 - 2024Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 1 - 2024Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 3 - 2023Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 2 - 2023Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 1 - 2023Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 3 - 2022Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 2 - 2022Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 1 - 2022Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 3 - 2021Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 2 - 2021Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 1 - 2021Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 3 - 2020Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 2 - 2020Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 1 - 2020Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Online Rockhampton Townsville
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Term 3 - 2019Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Noosa Online Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
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Term 2 - 2019Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Noosa Online Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
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Term 1 - 2019Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Gladstone Mackay Noosa Online Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
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Term 3 - 2018Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Distance Gladstone Mackay Noosa Perth Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
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Term 2 - 2018Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Distance Gladstone Mackay Noosa Perth Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
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Term 1 - 2018Bundaberg Brisbane Cairns Distance Gladstone Mackay Noosa Perth Rockhampton Sydney Townsville
International Availability
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Term 3 - 2027Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2027Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2027Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2026Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2026Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2026Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2025Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2025Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2025Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2024Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2024Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2024Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2023Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2023Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2023Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2022Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2022Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2022Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2021Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2021Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2021Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2020Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2020Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2020Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2019Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2019Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2019Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 3 - 2018Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 2 - 2018Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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Term 1 - 2018Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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 alternative study options.
There are no English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements to gain admission to STEPS.
However, if you were not born in an approved English-speaking country, you may need to meet ELP requirements to be eligible for admission to your chosen undergraduate course after STEPS. This requirement applies regardless of citizenship status. ELP can be demonstrated through country of birth, prior secondary or tertiary study, or an approved English language test. Requirements vary by course. For further details, refer to the “Entry Requirements” section on the relevant undergraduate course page.
Nil
Nil
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
|
Residential School Requirements
No Residential School for this course.
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 1506 |
| 2025 | 1632 |
| 2024 | 1600 |
| 2023 | 1557 |
| 2022 | 1786 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
- 1. Construct academic and professional texts that demonstrate appropriate structure, register, evidence integration and ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in accordance with discipline-specific conventions
- 2. Apply digital technologies and practices, including GenAI, ethically and effectively to support research, communication and learning in academic contexts
- 3. Evaluate the credibility and strength of information, arguments and sources by assessing evidence quality, logical reasoning, authorship and potential bias
- 4. Recognise the value and distinct characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems through respectful engagement with First Nations perspectives relevant to contemporary scholarship and practice
- 5. Apply appropriate quantitative, scientific or discipline-specific methods to interpret information, solve problems and support evidence-based conclusions relevant to intended undergraduate pathways
- 6. Demonstrate self-management strategies and reflective practices that support academic success, learner identity and personal agency.
- Complete the core structure
- Complete electives
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| SKIL40025 | Preparation Skills for University | |
| LNGE40067 | Research and Communication Practices | |
| Number of units: 1 | Total credit points: 6 |
|---|
To complete STEPS, you must successfully complete the two core units, SKIL40025 Preparation Skills for University and LNGE40067 Research and Communication Practices, and at least one elective unit. The number and type of electives you take will depend on the requirements of your intended undergraduate course and your personal circumstances. When you enrol, an Access Coordinator will work with you to develop a personalised study plan.
Modal title
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.