Diploma of General Studies

What is this course about?

CSU's Diploma of General Studies is a pathway program that provides guaranteed entry to many CSU courses, providing a wide range of opportunities and choices to graduates.

This course is a pathway program for students who wish to study at CSU but who do not meet the entry criteria or require further preparation.

The course is offered in partnership with selected TAFE Institutes and, in 2013, will be offered from the following locations:

• CSU Albury- Wodonga - Wodonga Institute of TAFE
• CSU Bathurst - Western Institute of TAFE
• CSU Dubbo – Western Institute of TAFE (by distance education)
• CSU Wagga Wagga - Riverina Institute of TAFE

The Diploma of General Studies is a combination of eight subjects studied over two 17-week sessions. The equivalent of four subjects are drawn from TAFE Certificate IV in Further Education or Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) and four from CSU's bachelor level subjects. The subjects will provide a solid preparation for your University studies.

For the first time, the Diploma of General Studies will also be offered via distance education in 2013. Find out more about the new distance education option.

Where it will take you

On successful completion of the program, students will attain:

• a Diploma of General Studies from CSU
• Certificate IV in Further Education or Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) from TAFE
• guaranteed entry into non-competitive CSU degrees
• in some cases, credit for up to four CSU subjects in the bachelor degree

More information about guaranteed entry into CSU degrees

Residential schools

Distance education students must attend three compulsory residential schools at CSU’s Dubbo Campus.

Guaranteed entry

Successful completion of the Diploma of General Studies provides guaranteed entry into many non-competitive CSU degrees. In some cases, credit for up to four CSU subjects in the bachelor degree will be granted.

The following links indicate the courses available with guaranteed entry, as well as the credits granted.

More information about guaranteed entry for students enrolled in the Diploma of General Studies at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo or Wagga Wagga.

Distance education option

For the first time, the Diploma of General Studies will also be offered via distance education in 2013. Students studying by distance will have access to a support hub located in Dubbo and can also access the facilities of any TAFE NSW or CSU campus. This course being offered is conditional on a minimum number of enrolments. To be eligible for the distance education option, students must:

• be able to commit to studying full-time
• have daily access to broadband internet
• be able to attend three compulsory residential schools at the hub in Dubbo.

More information about the new distance education option [PDF] including dates of residential schools.

Admission requirements

Normally, applicants will have completed Year 12 or equivalent, however applicants with other educational backgrounds will also be considered. TAFE may interview potential applicants to confirm admission.

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Costs of study

Australian and New Zealand students

You will make a student contribution towards the cost of your tuition fees. The tuition fees for the course will be based on your campus location.

New South Wales students

If you are studying at the Bathurst or Wagga Wagga campuses or by distance education through Dubbo, the course will be fully Commonwealth government supported. This means that you may defer your fees through HECS Help.

Student fee contribution for your first year of study:  $6,496*

*This is an indicative 2013 figure based on a standard equivalent full-time study load of eight 8 point subjects per year (64 points).

Victorian students

The CSU component of this course will be Commonwealth government supported. This means that you may defer your fees through HECS Help. The TAFE component of the program is subject to TAFE fees determined by Wodonga Institute of TAFE. For information on TAFE Fees refer to Wodonga Institute of TAFE Fee Information

CSU Student fee contribution for your first year of study:  $3,200*

*This is an indicative 2013 figure based on a standard equivalent of 4 eight 8 point subjects per year (32 points).

Commonwealth government supported options:

1. Defer your payment using a HECS-HELP loan, which is repaid through the taxation system once your income reaches a certain threshold
2. Pay your fee contribution up-front each session and receive a 10% discount

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

How to Apply

To apply for the Diploma of General Studies you need to lodge an application with CSU and the corresponding TAFE partner.  The CSU application for admission needs to be completed online.  Further information about enrolling with the TAFE partner will be provided if you are successful in gaining admission to the Diploma of General Studies.

When applying online, you will need to complete the Student Authority Waiver and upload using the document upload feature.  The form can be completed online, signed digitally, saved to your desktop and uploaded like a normal PDF file.

PLEASE NOTE: This course is only available to Australian Citizens, New Zealand Citizens, Permanent Residents and holders of an Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa.

Apply Online

Admission code:

• Wodonga TAFE (Albury) - KXWD
• Riverina TAFE (Wagga Wagga) - KXRT
• Western TAFE (Bathurst) - KXBT
  
• Distance Education (Dubbo) - EXDS

• Apply online

Numbers in this course are limited and viability will depend on enrolment numbers

Please contact the CSU Admissions Office on 02 6933 4334 or by email on admissions@csu.edu.au should you have any queries.