Australian Catholic University
About
An ACU education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of human dignity, and advancement of the common good.
We aim to transform lives and communities. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom, solve real-world problems, develop their own search for meaning and cultivate strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter.
Opportunities for personal and professional growth are critical to ACU. This is a university of service – so much so that it is built into the curricula. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships or volunteering opportunities.
High-impact research – with social, cultural and economic benefits – is core to our institution. Our research and enterprise activities develop innovative solutions to issues impacting human dignity and the common good. Through ethically informed research we deliver positive change across ACU, industry, community and government.
We foster academic collaboration and engage with local and international partners to enable the exchange of knowledge and skills and develop dynamic educational and research initiatives. We build healthy social partnerships, assisting communities in actively shaping initiatives that directly impact them.
ACU is a university for everyone. Like all Catholic institutions, the university is inclusive and supportive of everyone, every day – regardless of their faith, tradition or circumstance.
ACU is a young university making a significant impact. Ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide1 and in the top 10 Catholic universities2, we’re also a leader in employability with 95 per cent of our graduates employed3. The university has seven campuses around Australia, a campus in Rome, Italy, and an online campus – ACU Online.
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. Percentage calculated as ACU’s world rank as a proportion of the total number of universities in the world: International Handbook of Universities 2019, Palgrave MacMillan.
- Based on International Federation of Catholic Universities members ranked on Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.
- Graduate Outcome Survey – Longitudinal 2023, overall employment for domestic undergraduate students.
CRICOS provider number: 00004G
TEQSA provider ID: PRV12008
Contact
Phone:
National: 1300 275 228
International: +61 2 9739 2437
Email: askacu@acu.edu.au
Website: visit the
Australian Catholic University website
AskACU Centre (Brisbane)
Australian Catholic University
Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo)
PO Box 456, Virginia QLD 4014 Australia
Campus Locations
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Events
Important Dates
2024
Semester 1
Monday 26 February - Sunday 23 June 2024
End of exam period - Sunday 23 June 2024
Semester 2
Monday 29 July - Sunday 26 November 2023
End of exam period - Sunday 24 November 2024
Visit the ACU website for information on enrolment, teaching, semester start and end, and other important academic dates.
Open days
Visit ACU's website for open day information.
Campus tours are available year round.
Upcoming Events
Student Outcomes
The student outcomes display the overall undergraduate results for the institution.
No QILT data available for this institution.
For further information visit ComparED website
Policies and Services
Admission criteria
To be eligible for entry to ACU’s undergraduate courses you must meet the general requirements listed in one or more of the following categories:
- satisfy English language proficiency requirements for the course you are applying to
- be selected in competition with other eligible applicants.
Also, refer to UAC’s general information about university admission criteria.
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years)
Australian Year 12 students
If you are a 2023 or 2024 Australian Year 12 student, you are usually assessed on the basis of your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent. Year 12 results don't expire once you have left school. Whether this result is considered for an offer to a course will depend on whether you have additional qualifications (including other recognised qualifications completed while at school or post school).
This includes formal qualifications such as higher education study, VET study (such as completed competency-based and graded AQF Certificate IV and diplomas), sub-degree level study, and bridging and preparation courses.
Other post-secondary professional and paraprofessional qualifications (including creative arts, language and civil aviation qualifications, and professional registrations) and defence force service will be also considered.
Selection rank adjustments
If you are eligible for adjustment factors, your selection rank will automatically be increased. There is a maximum of 12 points applied to your selection rank.
To apply for the following access schemes, you must be a 2024 Year 12 student and be eligible for an ATAR. You must also meet any relevant course prerequisites.
An offer to a course under these schemes can only be made if you have completed the application procedures (if required) and included the course as a preference in your UAC application.
Equity adjustments
ACU 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. ACU EAS applications are processed centrally through UAC.
Elite athlete and performer adjustments
We support elite athletes and performers in their study and aim to help you achieve your academic and personal potential. The Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) coordinators offer course and enrolment advice and help students with finding flexible study options. Under this program, adjustment factors are awarded to applicants depending on your level of sporting and/or performance representation.
Applicants requesting consideration under this program should complete the EAPP application form.
Subject adjustments
If you are a 2024 HSC student with outstanding results in a HSC course related to the degree you are applying for, you may be eligible to have your selection rank increased by a maximum of five points. You do not need to apply for these adjustments.
Criteria that may apply in addition to the ATAR
Some courses select applicants based on additional selection criteria, such as a personal statement or questionnaire. Additional selection criteria can be found in the course descriptions available through UAC's course search.
Other admission options
School Recommendation Schemes
ACU participates in the Schools Recommendation Schemes (SRS), which allows current Year 12 students to receive early offers of admission. SRS aim to assist access to higher education using a wide range of selection criteria other than (or in addition to) the ATAR. These include school recommendations and senior secondary studies.
There are no fees to apply for SRS, but you will be required to pay a processing fee when you apply for undergraduate admission through UAC.
We may use one or more of these criteria when considering your application:
- your Year 11 studies
- your school’s rating of your abilities in areas of study
- your school’s rating of your aptitudes
- your Educational Access Schemes (EAS) application (if applicable).
SRS is available for all ACU courses, however prerequisites and additional selection criteria may apply. We may limit the number of SRS offers made in some courses.
ACU Guarantee
Guarantee your place at ACU, even before your Year 12 exams. The ACU Guarantee program offers eligible Year 12 students a place at ACU based on your Year 11 results.
Offers may be made as early as September. And while successful applicants must still complete their Year 12 exams, you can do so secure in the knowledge that your marks from Year 11 meet our entry requirements. You may also enhance your entry score by including a short personal statement that gives ACU an insight into your achievements and aspirations. Applications are made through our website.
Learn more about ACU Guarantee
Limited ATAR
Under certain circumstances you may be admitted based on a limited ATAR.
Learn more about the ATAR
Learn more about ACU admission schemes
Learn more about ACU admission
Applicants with higher education study
If you have undertaken tertiary studies you can also be assessed on your tertiary record, provided you have completed at least two units. If you haven’t completed this amount of tertiary study then you will be assessed on your Year 12 results and/or other qualifications.
Learn more about ACU admission
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
ACU assigns a selection rank for the following:
- competency-based and graded AQF certificates III (for current Year 12 applicants only). This qualification can be given its own selection rank separate from, and in addition to, an ATAR
- Certificate IV (if completed)
- AQF diplomas
- sub-degree level study (based on level, duration and Grade Point Average).
Competency-based and graded AQF certificates III (for current Year 12 applicants only), Certificate IV (if completed), AQF diplomas and sub-degree level study (based on level, duration, and Grade Point Average) will be assigned a selection rank.
Partnerships agreements
ACU has a wide range of partnership agreements with TAFE and other private VET providers that guarantee entry into an ACU degree and/or credit for your previous studies.
Applicants with work and life experience (includes those who left secondary education more than 2 years ago)
Not everyone goes straight to uni after finishing high school. If you’re 21 years or older, your work and life experience can potentially be converted into a selection rank for entry into your chosen degree. Your rank will be based on criteria such as your skill level at work, and how long you have been in the role.
Employment experience
To have your employment experience assessed, you must have been in paid employment for a minimum of twelve months full-time (or equivalent).
Skills Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
ACU will accept your results from STAT, a series of tests designed to assess a range of competencies considered important for success in tertiary study. You must be over 21 years old, but not a current Year 12 student.
Enabling course options
Learn more about enabling course options
Applicants with overseas qualifications
There are commonly accepted overseas secondary qualifications that ACU may take into consideration.
Contact ACU to discuss eligibility for admission before submitting an application to UAC.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you will be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency.
First Nations applicants
If you are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and apply for entry to an ACU program, you may be eligible for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Process. Through the process you will meet with a member of our Indigenous Higher Education Unit and a faculty representative. Your potential to undertake study will be based upon any of your formal qualifications, life experiences and achievements. Applications for most courses are made directly through UAC.
Learn more about ACU's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Process.
Additional selection criteria
Some courses select applicants based on additional selection criteria such as a personal statement, questionnaire, portfolio of work, audition, interview or test. Other courses may use a combination of both academic qualifications and additional selection criteria. Additional selection criteria can be found in the course descriptions available through UAC's course search.
If you are undertaking your Year 12 studies offshore and are applying for a course that has additional selection criteria that you will find difficult to meet, contact ACU International.
Student and campus services
Your wellbeing is our biggest priority. And we know the support of a caring community will help you achieve your best. At ACU, you’ll join a vibrant campus community, make friends for life, and have the support you need to thrive during, and after, your studies.
We offer a range of student support services, including counselling, chaplaincy, academic assistance and learning support, and employment and career advice. Campus facilities include medical centres, computer labs, excellent teaching facilities such as a moot court and health science labs, and sporting and recreation facilities.
Learn more about our student and campus services
Accommodation
Living in student accommodation is one of the best ways to get the most out of your uni experience. With ACU accommodation you’ll get academic support, make lifelong friends, and be part of a fun and close-knit community.
Learn more about student accommodation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student sucess
Staff at Yalbalinga (NSW) and Dhara Daramoolen (ACT) Indigenous Higher Education Units provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with social, cultural, personal and academic support, as well as a place to meet and work on assignments. Tutors can be arranged if you need extra support.
Services and support for students with disability and special needs
Learn more about our disability support services
Exchange program
Want to study business in Rome? Discover art in New York? Explore health sciences in Vanuatu? Learning abroad programs can count towards your degree and, with more than 200 partner institutions, you can choose from a huge range of international opportunities. You will also have the fantastic opportunity to study at our own international campus in Rome, Italy.
Many of our domestic undergraduate students gain international learning experience during their studies. You can join a study tour, complete an internship, do a semester or short exchange, participate in community engagement, or take our unique international Core Curriculum program.
Learning abroad programs can be as short as two weeks or as long as a year, and there are generous travel grants and scholarships available.
With ACU, you don’t even need to leave Australia to gain global experience. We can help you take up an international internship or work on a project with students from all over the world – all from the comfort of home.
Learn more about ACU exchange and study abroad programs and study abroad
How to apply
Through a TAC
Domestic students applying for bachelor degree programs apply through the appropriate TAC:
Queensland - Apply through QTAC
New South Wales - Apply through UAC
Victoria - Apply through VTAC
Direct to the institution
International students applying for undergraduate study should contact ACU to find out how to apply for their chosen course.
Students considering postgraduate study should contact ACU to find out how to apply for their chosen course.
Domestic students applying for a pathway course should contact ACU to find out how to apply for their chosen sub-degree course.
Enrolment
Acceptance of offer
You will receive confirmation of your offer via an offer notice email from ACU. To accept your offer, you must enrol in units within seven or fourteen calendar days of receiving your ACU offer notice.
Advanced standing
Applications for advanced standing must be made at the time of enrolment.
Deferment
Deferment is available to all applicants for up to one year only. Deferment will lapse if any post-secondary studies are undertaken.
Fees and charges
There are two main types of places for domestic students and course costs depend on the type of place you enrol in:
- Commonwealth-supported place (CSP). When you study in a CSP course, the Australian Government subsidises the cost of your course. You’ll pay the remainder, known as the student contribution amount.
- Domestic fee-paying (DFEE). DFEE courses typically cost you more than equivalent CSP courses because you pay the full cost of your course. The amount you pay for your tuition fee depends on the institution and the type of course.
Read about ACU course fees.
Students are also required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee. In 2022 these are:
- full-time students – $156 per half year ($312 annually)
- part-time students – $117 per half year ($234 annually).
Financial assistance
Scholarships
Equity scholarships
Equity Scholarships (ES) assist disadvantaged students with the general costs associated with tertiary study. ES are awarded to students from low socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those who receive Centrelink income support payments such as ABSTUDY, Austudy, Youth Allowance, Newstart Allowance, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment (Single) or the Carer Payment.
Merit scholarships
ACU offers merit scholarships to students applying to or enrolled at ACU who have excelled in a particular area.
Loans
If you experience undue financial hardship while studying at ACU, and this might prevent you from continuing your course, you may be eligible to apply for financial support through the Student Loans Scheme.
Youth and student allowances
For details on Australian Government financial support through Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY, visit the Services Australia website.
Where to get further information
- Australian Catholic University – Australian Catholic University's Institute Profile
- TEQSA national register – The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia's independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education
- ComparED – The ComparED website provides prospective students with transparent institution information from recent graduates and current students views.
- Study Assist – Information for students about government assistance for financing tertiary study.
- Tertiary Admission Centre: UAC (NSW and ACT)
Student Profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at the institution. It provides data on all students who commenced undergraduate study in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds, across all Australian campuses, and international students studying in Australia.
For more information about the Student Profile, please visit Student Profile explained.
| Applicant background | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of students No. of students | Percentage of all students % of all students | |
| (A) Higher education study | 1111 | 13.50% |
| (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study | 639 | 7.78% |
| (C) Work and life experience | 236 | 2.87% |
| (D) Recent secondary education | ||
|
2460 | 29.90% |
|
88 | 1.07% |
|
2002 | 24.33% |
| (E) International students | 1691 | 20.55% |
| All students | 8227 | 100% |
<5 - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students
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L/N: Low numbers – The number of survey responses are too low to display.
N/A: Data not available for this study area or institution.
Data source: ComparED website