Admission criteria and entry schemes

Australian Year 12 students

If you are a 2022 or 2023 Australian Year 12 student, you will be considered for admission on the basis of merit (your ATAR or equivalent) and whether you meet the entry criteria, such as subject prerequisites.

Griffith University values applicants with VET study and other qualifications including AQF certificates III and IV and diplomas, and Australian Music Examination Board qualifications. If you have a number of different qualifications, please ensure that you provide details of these in your application.

Most Griffith degrees have English as a subject prerequisite and now include English Studies (or equivalent) to meet this prerequisite. This is expressed as 'Any two units of English', and is achieved through completing two units of HSC Board Developed English courses from Category A or B, including English Standard, English Advanced, English as an Additional Language or Dialect, English Extension 1 or 2, with a minimum performance band of 3+, or equivalent. Some degrees only accept Category A HSC Board Developed English courses to meet the English prerequisite (expressed as 'Any two units of English, excluding English Studies'). These degrees include the bachelors of Education, Laws (Honours) and Nursing, and other health degrees. For some degrees, such as the Bachelor of Information Technology, English is Assumed knowledge.

If knowledge of another specific subject is considered necessary for successful first-year study, but is not a requirement for admission, the subject is listed under prior ‘Assumed knowledge’ in the course description (which you can access via the course search). A limited number of programs have additional subject prerequisites.

Griffith University prerequisites and assumed knowledge

Minimum age requirements

You can apply for a program at Griffith if you are 17 years of age (or older). If you are 16 years of age, you must have completed Year 12 or an AQF certificate III or higher qualification. If you are under 16 years of age, contact Griffith University directly to discuss your eligibility.

Griffith Guaranteed Admission Scheme

To provide certainty about future study options and more opportunities for students from a range of backgrounds, Griffith’s Guaranteed Admission Scheme offers applicants with an ATAR 90+/IB 33+ or ATAR 80+/IB 28+, or with a completed VET Certificate III or above, a guarantee of admission for a range of selected programs. Applicants must meet prerequisites and any other selection criteria. The ATAR and VET Guarantees apply up to the UAC rounds in mid-January each year, or until the program is closed for any intake. Contact GU for information on whether your degree is still open for offers.

Selection rank adjustments

Griffith University offers a range of adjustment factors designed to meet the needs of local communities or provide access to university for people who have experienced disadvantage. Adjustments are automatically applied to an applicant’s ATAR to provide a selection rank for admission. The maximum adjustment that can be applied under all pathways is capped at eight (8).

Equity adjustments

Griffith University has an Educational Access Scheme (EAS) to assist applicants whose education has been disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control for a substantial period of time.

To apply for EAS, you must be able to demonstrate that your Year 11 and/or Year 12 studies have been negatively affected for a period of at least six months, as a result of circumstances beyond your control or choosing. You must also be:

• a UAC applicant for undergraduate admission
• an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.

How the Educational Access Scheme works

Location adjustments

Gold Coast and Logan Priority Access Pathway

If you live in the Gold Coast, Logan, Redlands, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield, Glenn Innes Severn, Clarence Valley, Tweed Shire, Coffs Harbour or Nambucca Shire regions (defined by postcode) and have not studied at university, your selection rank will be increased by 2 points when you apply for programs at the Gold Coast campus or online. Some exclusions apply. For further information including which postcodes are eligible, visit the website and refer to the Gold Coast and Logan Priority Access Pathway.

Griffith University adjustment factors

Subject adjustments

Year 12 Subject Adjustment Pathway

Applicants who have completed Year 12 subjects that require a high level of skill and knowledge, or courses (subjects) at university such as the GUESTS program, may be eligible to have their selection rank increased by up to two points per subject, up to a maximum of six.

Griffith University Year 12 Subject Adjustment Pathway

Criteria that may apply in addition to the ATAR

In some programs at Griffith, selection for admission can be based on criteria in addition to, in combination with, or instead of standard admission criteria. Admission criteria are specified in the individual course descriptions.

There are commonly accepted overseas secondary qualifications that Griffith may take into consideration. Check your qualification.

Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia with overseas qualifications must contact Griffith University to discuss eligibility for admission before submitting an application to UAC.

English language proficiency

If you have qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.

Some accredited programs may require applicants who have not completed their secondary studies or other qualifications from a limited country list to demonstrate their proficiency via a specific ELP test.

Griffith University prerequisites and assumed knowledge

Griffith University seeks to increase the participation and success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the University’s programs through an enabling program prior to commencement, assistance with admission, and additional tutoring and support services provided by the GUMURRII Student Support Unit. If you have Australian First People’s heritage, we would welcome an application of admission through UAC. If you do not meet the published admission criteria, you may be invited to participate in a First Peoples Admission pathway.

Griffith University accepts ranks based on armed services general training for entry to most degrees.

Griffith University also provides support for all students through peer mentoring and peer-assisted study sessions. We provide wellbeing services, such as counselling, and support for students with medical conditions, disabilities and accessibility needs.

Veterans pathway to Griffith University

Griffith University prerequisites and assumed knowledge

Griffith University student support