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UniPrep courses

Our free university preparation courses are open to anyone who hasn't been at school for a while, doesn't have formal qualifications or didn't get a great Year 12 result. If you successfully complete UniPrep, you'll be eligible to start many of our degree courses. It's the start of a new you!

Creative thinkers made here.
Creative thinkers made here.

Why ECU?

How it works

University preparation courses prepare you for university level study by teaching you the skills required for academic success – with an emphasis on you becoming an independent learner.

Our courses include a full semester course and two intensive courses – UniPrep Accelerate and a special summer program called UniPrep Summer (see details below).

All courses cover information/communication technology skills, academic research and writing, mathematical concepts and techniques, and a wide range of interpersonal communication skills.

You'll also be introduced to life at ECU and have access to course and career advice to help you make informed decisions about selecting a degree.

Courses

At ECU, we understand that you need flexibility, so our University Preparation courses can be studied in as little as 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time. You can also choose to attend classes on-campus, study online, or a combination of both.

UniPrep Accelerate

This is our program for school leavers with a near-miss ATAR. It's an intensive 4-week university preparation course, run in January on our Joondalup Campus. On successful completion, you'll be able to start uni in Semester 1 with everyone else. Best of all, it's free! If you're expecting an ATAR between 55-69, you can apply now.

UniPrep Summer

This is another intensive university preparation course. UniPrep Summer runs from late November until the end of January.

Exams for most subjects are in late January or early February, so it's possible to successfully complete the course in time to start uni in Semester 1.

UniPrep General

Our popular and free university preparation course that, if completed successfully, can get you into almost all ECU undergraduate courses. Our standard university preparation course runs for one full semester, starting the same dates as undergraduate courses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Yes. Each course equates to a full-time study load for income support purposes, as long as you're enrolled in a minimum of three units.

  • No. While most courses are available to people who successfully complete any of the UniPrep courses, some courses have specialist entry requirements. It's best to speak to our Future Students team to confirm your eligibility, as this can change depending on enrolment numbers and external factors.

  • No. Because these are intensive programs, they require on-campus engagement to ensure you get the most out of it. There will, however, be online components that you'll need to engage with.

  • We're allowing you to apply, based on your first semester results. All you need to do is provide a copy of your Year 12 Semester 1 results with your application for the course. See the UniPrep course page for information on other UniPrep entry requirements you may need to meet.

  • Yes. But you can pick up studies in UniPrep General and get recognition for the units you've already completed.

  • Yes, absolutely, as long as you meet the entry requirements, you're eligible to study at any of ECU's campuses.

  • UniPrep General is the only version of UniPrep that can be studied entirely online.

  • In this case, you're more than welcome to apply for our UniPrep General program that runs every semester. While this is a slightly longer course, it has prepared many of our students well for university for many years.

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Creative thinkers start here

Experience UniPrep at ECU.

Explore your options

UniPrep graduate Savanna didn't study for an ATAR in Year 12, but found the course a great introduction to university and to the skills she needed to start a bachelors degree.

Valued skills

There is a high demand for generic skills in the workplace, with employers increasingly recruiting graduates who can demonstrate more than technical skills.

This includes the ability to manage your time, being culturally aware, being a team player and being flexible and adaptable in your work.

So when you successfully complete UniPrep at ECU and go on to graduate with a Bachelor's degree, you can expect to be better prepared than most to enter the world of work!

Do you have any questions about UniPrep?

Student stories

  • Cassandra Catley

    Cassandra Catley

    ECU Indigenous University Orientation Course and Bachelor of Sport, Recreation and Event Management graduate

    My ECU studies have taught me that hard work pays off

    My study experience has been amazing and I am grateful for the connections I have built with friends from my futsal team, who I now consider my family.

    I first began my journey with ECU through the Indigenous University Orientation Course. This pathway gave me the guidance and time to help me pick a career I am passionate about.

    The lecturers offer great support and will always do their best to help you out when you need.

    My ECU studies have taught me that hard work pays off and I am proving that more and more each semester, as I get closer to the end of my studies.

  • Una Caitlin

    Una Catlin

    ECU UniPrep graduate and Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) student

    UniPrep was a great pathway into my undergraduate course

    I chose ECU after a lengthy consideration of which university could provide me with the best designed course in my chosen field.

    ECU combined psychology and business with a major in HR that I felt would give me the best employability skills.

    I genuinely believe that UniPrep offered by ECU provided me with both the opportunities to investigate my chosen career, and also gave me the transferrable skills I now apply every day.

    The support and encouragement I have received from my lecturers and tutors has been incredible. ECU has been an amazing experience for me academically.

  • Kelly Vestby

    Kelly Vestby

    ECU South West UniPrep graduate and Nursing student

    I wanted a career that was challenging and one I could take anywhere in the world

    I had been out of school for a long time but UniPrep provided me with the skills needed to write essays, research and manage my time effectively.

    ECU's flexible study options and the supportive atmosphere at the South West Campus has also helped me fit in study around being a mum and business owner.

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.