Alternative university pathways

Worried you won’t get the ATAR you need to gain entry into your dream uni program? There are alternative university pathways that go beyond the standard ATAR route.

Even if you ATAR falls short of what you need to get into your preferred program, you still have options. We’re going to step you through one of the most popular uni pathways, using specific examples from different study areas, so you can find out exactly how to get into your ideal uni program at UQ.

Find university pathways into:

• Agriculture and animal sciences programs
• Architecture, design and urban planning programs
• Arts, humanities and social sciences programs
• Business and economics programs
• Communication, media and experience design programs
• Computer science and IT programs
• Education programs
• Engineering programs
• Environment programs
• Health and medicine programs
• Law programs
• Science and mathematics programs.

What is a tertiary studies university pathway?

A tertiary studies pathway is a type of upgrading pathway (i.e. a way to get into a program higher than your selection rank). You start with a year of university studies in a program that will accept your ATAR. Then you apply to transfer into your preferred program (the one that required a higher ATAR) using your grade point average (GPA – the average of your overall university grades) rather than your ATAR.

Basically, a tertiary studies pathway can give you a second shot at getting the grades you need to gain entry into your preferred program. This pathway can also help you meet entry requirements such as subject prerequisites you didn’t take in high school.

Why take this university pathway?

• It helps you get a foot in the door at university and on the right path towards your preferred degree.
• University isn’t a race, but we know starting straight out of high school may be important to you. This pathway allows you to begin university the year you intended to do so, even if it means you may study for a little longer than anticipated.
• If you choose a program in a similar subject area, you may be able to study courses that will give you credit towards your preferred degree.
• You will learn valuable interchangeable skills in writing, reading, communication and teamwork, which you can then carry into your preferred degree.

How does my GPA convert into a selection rank?

If you’re going to take this pathway, you’ll want to know how the grades you achieve in your pathway program will convert into a selection rank for gaining entry into your preferred program.

Grades at university are typically on a 7-point scale, with the highest grade point average (GPA) achievable being 7 and the pass mark being 4. An example of converting a GPA into a selection rank could be as follows: if you maintain a GPA of 6 throughout your first year at UQ, this will convert to a selection rank of 99.20, which is a competitive selection rank for entry into programs like the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours).

*Based on entry score thresholds for these programs as of April 2024.

How do I take a tertiary studies pathway to UQ?

We recommend speaking with UQ staff before deciding to take a tertiary studies pathway and changing your QTAC preferences. You can speak with someone from our Admissions team at our ATAR Advice online event, which is typically held the weekend after ATARs are released in December.

A UQ staff member will be able to give you personalised advice on the university pathways suitable to your circumstances. However, you can prepare for your discussion by looking at which pathway program you might like to take – browse your options below.

Examples of tertiary studies pathways for specific study areas

We’ve listed a bunch of popular programs at UQ that require higher ATARs for entry and the pathway programs that may be suitable for you to take into these using the tertiary studies pathway, should your ATAR not meet the threshold.

A few things to keep in mind when browsing pathway programs

• All ATARs listed are the entry score thresholds – the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2024 for these programs. Keep in mind that these may change for 2026 admission and that they are an indication of the ATAR you may gain entry into the program with. For guaranteed entry scores, visit our ATAR Guarantee webpage.
• To be eligible for any program at UQ, you’ll need to meet all entry requirements, including subject prerequisites (if applicable), as well as obtaining a competitive selection rank.
• You should speak to an academic adviser once you have secured a position in your pathway program to get advice on the best courses to take. You may be able to credit some related courses over to your preferred program, thereby shortening the length of time you spend studying your preferred program.
• To be eligible to transfer into the programs with an entry score threshold of 98+, you need to maintain consistently high grades throughout the year you study your pathway program. So, it’s important to choose a pathway program you’re interested in, to help set yourself up for success.

Agriculture and animal sciences programs

If you’re worried you won’t get the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours), you could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Architecture, design and urban planning programs

Concerned you won’t get the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Architectural Design? You could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Architectural Design using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Arts, humanities and social sciences programs

Unsure whether you’ll get the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Honours) or Bachelor of International Studies? You could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Arts instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Honours) or Bachelor of International Studies using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Notes

*Most of the majors in the Bachelor of Advanced Humanities (Honours) are also offered in the Bachelor of Arts (excluding Western Civilisation).

**Bachelor of Arts majors relevant to the Bachelor of International Studies include Peace & Conflict Studies, Economics, International Relations, and most of the languages offered (excluding Latin & Ancient Greek).

Business and economics programs

If you’re worried you won’t get the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) or Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours), you could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for one of the suggested programs outlined below, all of which accept a lower ATAR. After studying one of the suggested programs for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) or Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours) using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

 Notes

You may be eligible for credit towards your new degree from shared courses or for general electives.

Communication, media and experience design programs

If you’re not sure you’ll get the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Journalism or Bachelor of Communication, you could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Arts instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Journalism or Bachelor of Communication using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Computer science and IT programs

Concerned you won’t get the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Computer Science or Bachelor of information Technology? You could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Science instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Computer Science or Bachelor of information Technology using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

The tertiary studies pathway also works well for those who wish to study a Bachelor of Computer Science combined with one of the master’s programs outlined below. In this case, the best pathway program to take is the Bachelor of Computer Science.

Notes

*You may receive up to one year of credit towards the Bachelor of Computer Science if you take the Bachelor of Science as a pathway into this program. You may need to take core computer science courses in second year before realigning.

**You may receive up to one year of credit towards the Bachelor of Information Technology if you take the Bachelor of Science as a pathway into this program. You may need to take core information technology courses in second year before realigning.

Education programs

If aren’t feeling confident about receiving the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Mathematics / Education (Secondary), you could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Science / Education (Secondary) instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Mathematics / Education using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Notes

The Bachelor of Science offers majors in ‘Applied Mathematics’ and ‘Mathematics’. 

Engineering programs

Worried you won’t get the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)? You could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Science instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

The tertiary studies pathway also works well for those who wish to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) combined with the Master of Engineering. In this case, the best pathway program to take is the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours).

Notes

*You may receive up to one year of credit towards the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) if you take the Bachelor of Science as a pathway into this program. You may need to take core engineering courses in second year before realigning.

Environment programs

If you’re nervous about not receiving the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Environmental Science, you could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours) instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Environmental Science using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Notes

You can pick up elective courses during your first semester of the Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours) to help you meet the subject requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Environmental Science, if you need to.

Health and medicine programs

Unsure whether you’ll receive the ATAR you need to get into one of UQ’s competitive health and medicine programs such as those listed below? You could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for one of the suggested pathway programs instead, all of which accept a lower ATAR. After studying one of these programs for a year, you can then apply to transfer into your preferred program using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Notes

*Psychology is available as a major or extended major in the Bachelor of Arts.

Law programs

Worried your ATAR will fall a little short of what you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours)? You could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for the Bachelor of Arts (or another program offered at UQ) instead, which accepts a lower ATAR. After studying this program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Notes

You may be eligible for credit towards your preferred program for general electives, or from shared courses if you're planning to undertake a dual Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program. 

Science and mathematics programs

If you’re unsure whether you’ll receive the ATAR you need to get into UQ’s Bachelor of Mathematics or Bachelor of Science, you could take a tertiary studies pathway and apply for one of the programs outlined below instead, which accept a lower ATAR. After studying the suggested pathway program for a year, you can then apply to transfer into your preferred program using your university grades rather than your ATAR.

Notes

*Bachelor of Science majors that are relevant to the Bachelor of Mathematics include ‘Applied Mathematics’, ‘Mathematics’ and ‘Statistics’. 

**If you have the subject pre-requisites for entry into the Bachelor of Science, but not the required ATAR, the Bachelor of Arts is a good pathway program option. Arts courses that you complete in your first semester or first year may count towards general electives in the Bachelor of Science when you transfer.

We hope this info has given you some food for thought when considering admission pathways to university if you don’t get the ATAR you need to get into your preferred program. Contact our Future Students Contact Centre if you need additional advice and support about the right pathway for you.