Gain a solid foundation for university study as you build academic skills, confidence and knowledge. Take classes relevant to your study goals and get a taste of university life in this qualification designed to help you meet the entry requirements of your desired degree. Enter university prepared for success after this one-year course.
What to expect
Pursue the education that will equip you for your future career and gain the knowledge and skills to match your passion. The Diploma of Higher Education is a one-year university qualification that will allow you to pursue a Bachelors degree in the discipline of your choice (excluding Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science).
Graduates who successfully complete JCUs Diploma of Higher Education meet the entry requirements necessary to enter into many JCU Bachelors degrees. As a graduate, you will possess the key study skills, foundational knowledge and strategies that youll need to find success in your university studies.
Study a variety of introductory and first-year degree subjects, designed to help you build on core knowledge and foster skills of academic enquiry. These can include subjects on academic writing, academic research, mathematics and learning in a digital environment. You will enrol in a specific study plan created to suit your chosen major, which will build your discipline-specific knowledge base. Benefit from support staff dedicated to students of this degree and the award-winning JCU Learning Centre.
Upon completion of the Diploma of Higher Education, you may be eligible for advanced standing within your Bachelors degree or receive credit for some of the subjects that you completed as part of the diploma, allowing you to finish your degree sooner.
Majors
Engineering and Applied Science
Benefit from JCUs expert lecturers and explore a wide range of essential foundation subjects. Complete prerequisite subjects that are required for many JCU degrees and choose from a wide range of electives across JCUs extensive engineering programs.
Graduates will gain technical knowledge in areas such as chemistry, process engineering, biological processes, programming, statistics and data analysis and physics.
Career Opportunities
Develop the necessary skills to become a successful university student. Begin your dream career with a recognised qualification and pathway to your preferred Bachelor degree.
The JCU Diploma of Higher Education is a pathway into university if you dont have the academic entry requirements for your preferred undergraduate course. It also provides an example of what university study will be like prior to enrolling in a full degree.
Some subjects completed as part of this diploma may be eligible for credit towards a subsequent JCU undergraduate degree.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
July 2025
Townsville campus
1 James Cook Dr,
DOUGLAS,
Queensland,
4814, TOWNSVILLE, Australia
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
July 2025
Cairns Campus
14-88 McGregor Road,
Cairns,
Queensland,
4878, CAIRNS, Australia
Students are required to complete academic qualification of Australia grade 12 or equivalent. Entry requirements may vary from country to country.
IELTS - 5.5 (no component lower than 5.0); TOEFL (internet-based) 56 (no component less than 16); Pearson (PTE Academic) – 46 (no component less than 42)
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
James Cook University (JCU) is ranked among the top 2 per cent of universities in the world (THE World University Rankings 2023).