Pathways to university

Let's start your unique path to university, together.

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.

Business graduate Daniel seated at a table
Daniel took an alternative pathway to university

Multiple pathways. Endless possibilities.

We have 3 kinds of entry pathways to university to choose from:

Open Access

Empowering you to start small with no ATAR.

Learn how to start with Open Access

Undergraduate certificates

Clearing your path for a qualification in just six-months with fewer barriers to entry than a degree.

Learn how to start with undergraduate certificates

Open Degree Pathways

Granting you fast-tracked entry into multiple degrees using a set study path with fewer hurdles.

Learn how to start with Open Degree Pathways

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

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.

  1. Lock in your path without entry requirements
  2. Choose which Participating University you’d like to study your bachelor degree with after successfully completing your pathway subjects.
  3. 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

Bachelor of Education (Primary Education)

Undergraduate GRF-BUS-DEG

Bachelor of Business

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

Bachelor of Food and Nutrition

Undergraduate UNE-LLB-DEG

Bachelor of Laws (4 Years)

Undergraduate MAQ-ART-DEG

Bachelor of Arts

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

Bachelor of Health Service Management

Undergraduate CUR-IND-DEG

Bachelor of Interior Design

Frequently asked questions about pathways

Are pathway programs available online through Open Universities Australia?
All pathways offered through Open Universities Australia are delivered by leading Australian universities online. This means that you can get your alternative pathway to uni study sorted from the comfort of home, and continue your studies online once you complete your pathway – if you wish to continue studying towards a certificate, diploma or degree.
Can I gain entry into a full degree after completing a pathway program?
Yes, you can enter into a full degree after successfully completing alternative pathways to university. Depending on the pathway you have taken, your completed subjects may even shave time off your desired degree – as well as helping you gain entry.
Can I get financial assistance or HECS-HELP for these programs?
Through Open Universities Australia, entry pathways to university can be paid for using HECS-HELP, if you're eligible. In this scenario, the Australian Government pays for some of your studies, and gives you a loan to pay for the rest. You repay your HECS-HELP loan through tax when you're working full-time and earning over a certain amount. Find out more. 
Do I need any prior qualifications to start a pathway program?
In general, entry pathways require no prior qualifications. You don't even need to have finished high school or have an ATAR. We recommend looking at each of the entry pathways offered by Open Universities Australia to see the specifics.
Who should consider a pathway course?
Alternative pathways to university offer a way to get started for anyone and everyone. In particular, if you don't meet entry requirements, or don't have an ATAR, they're worth considering. 
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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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