You know that study will open doors for you. But you’re not sure how to take the first step.
That’s where our range of pathways to uni come in.
As a not-for-profit dedicated to helping students access education, Open Universities Australia offers a variety of unique avenues towards further education, no matter your study history.
We’ve helped thousands of students find alternative pathways to university that made the impossible, completely possible. Now it's your turn. You just need to find your way using the entry pathways below.
So, let’s find your entry pathway to university—together.
Multiple pathways. Endless possibilities.
We have 3 kinds of entry pathways to university to choose from:
Undergraduate certificates
Clearing your path for a qualification in just six-months with fewer barriers to entry than a degree.
Open Degree Pathways
Granting you fast-tracked entry into multiple degrees using a set study path with fewer hurdles.
Open Access
How does studying just a few single subjects sound? You won’t have to meet entry requirements or commit to a full degree just yet, all the while being funded by FEE-HELP – a Government loan that helps you study now, and pay later.
We call it Open Access—just one of our alternative pathways to uni.
It’s a unique arrangement we have with the Australian Government and leading universities across Australia to get people of all walks of life started at uni, no matter what.
The best part? Choose an open enrolment subject and you can become a student in a matter of minutes.
Explore Open Access subjects in your interest area
| If you’re thinking about a degree in: | We recommend a couple of introductory subjects from: |
|---|---|
| Business—including accounting, marketing, and finance | Business & management single subjects |
| Teaching—including primary school and high school specialisations | Education & teaching single subjects |
| Psychology—including mental health and counselling | Psychology & mental health single subjects |
| Health—including nursing, public health, or nutrition | Health & medical science single subjects |
| The Arts—including history, literature, and languages | Humanities & social science single subjects |
| IT—including cyber security, programming, and game design | IT & computer science single subjects |
| Law—including legal studies and criminal justice | Law & justice single subjects |
| Science—including biology, agriculture, and environmental science | Science single subjects |
Undergraduate certificates
Finish with a qualification in just six months, or gain credit towards a bachelor degree—with minimal to no entry requirements. That’s the beauty of an undergraduate certificate as an entry pathway.
After just four subjects, you’ll graduate with a genuine qualification to showcase to employers.
If you decide you’d like to keep studying, your undergraduate certificate will shave time and money off your eventual degree.
Choose an undergraduate certificate, and you may be eligible to study within a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). In a CSP, the government covers part of your fees. This is the only pathway type in which CSPs are available.
Explore undergraduate certificates as pathways
Undergraduate CUR-CHS-CTF
Undergraduate TAS-EDS-CTF
Undergraduate CUR-BLW-CTF
Undergraduate CUR-HAR-CTF
Undergraduate TAS-CAH-CTF
Undergraduate CUR-FIA-CTF
Open Degree Pathways
With an Open Degree Pathway, you’ll follow a pre-determined set of four subjects that pave a path for entry into bachelor degrees with Participating Universities.
These subjects will be credited towards your eventual degree—saving you time, money, trial and error. Think of it as a guided path to success using an alternative pathway to uni.
- Lock in your path without entry requirements
- Choose which Participating University you’d like to study your bachelor degree with after successfully completing your pathway subjects.
- Jump the application queue for entry into your desired degree with a Participating University. Your completed pathway subjects act as your fast pass.
Explore degrees with core subject pathways
Undergraduate CUR-BED-DEG
Undergraduate GRF-BUS-DEG
Available majors
- Major in Marketing
- Major in Human Resource Management
- Major in Management
- Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Major in Sport Management
- Major in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Major in International Business
- Major in Political Science and International Relations
- Major in Contemporary Marketing
Undergraduate LAT-HUN-DEG
Undergraduate TAS-SCG-DEG
Undergraduate UNE-LLB-DEG
Undergraduate MAQ-ART-DEG
Available majors
- Major in Ancient History
- Major in Creative Writing
- Major in English
- Major in Critical Indigenous Studies
- Major in International Relations
- Major in Modern History
- Major in Philosophy
- Major in Politics
- Major in Sociology
Undergraduate UAD-HSM-DEG
Undergraduate CUR-IND-DEG
Frequently asked questions about pathways
Are pathway programs available online through Open Universities Australia?
Can I gain entry into a full degree after completing a pathway program?
Can I get financial assistance or HECS-HELP for these programs?
Do I need any prior qualifications to start a pathway program?
Who should consider a pathway course?
Unbiased advice, at no cost to you
Book a consultation with your dedicated advisor. They’ll call at your preferred time to answer questions big and small. Together we’ve got this.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian access thousands of university courses.
Over 532,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.
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Important study dates, including close of application, close of enrolment, and census dates.
Deciding to take on higher education marks the beginning of an exciting study journey. And preparation is the key to success.
Get ready to meet the challenges of online learning head on. Boost your study skills to get the most out of your degree.