Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation

Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation - 22582VIC

VOCATIONAL

Prepare for university and take pathway to further education for those who haven't studied for some time.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 6 months
Part-time may be available
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Not applicable
Fees:

Not applicable

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Not applicable

Overview

Gain the confidence you need for further study.

The Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation is designed as a pathway for school leavers who did not attain the required skill level, or for those who have not studied for some years. 

Whether you've missed out on your first study preference or you feel like you need some extra time to prepare before university, you'll gain the academic skills you need to undertake vocational or university studies.

You'll explore specialised business, engineering, health and science streams designed to give you an introduction to the area of your future studies. 

You will develop the academic skills, knowledge and confidence required to participate in higher-level qualifications and enhance your future career opportunities.

Completion of this certificate provides a guaranteed pathway into many other RMIT courses, if certain criteria are met.

Why study tertiary preparation at RMIT?

Expert support

Develop with the help of a dedicated team, offering a variety of learning approaches.

Choose your path

Pick from engineering, science or business to prepare yourself for the type of study you want to pursue.

Development pathways

Graduate with a guaranteed pathway to further study at RMIT (when certain criteria are met).

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Please note: this certificate is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.

Details

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Learning and teaching

At RMIT, you’ll be studying at an institution with expert teachers, passionate researchers and strong connections to industry.

You will have the opportunity to take part in career and further education planning so you can explore your study options and develop a pathway for the future. 

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches, including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations and group discussions.

Assessment methods

Assessment in the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation will take different forms based on the subjects you select. These may include:

  • tests or exams
  • assignments, essays and reports
  • assessed tutorials
  • simulated activities
  • practical assessments
  • oral presentations.

Your assessments provide the opportunity for your teachers to provide feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your work, allowing you to improve your skills and develop as a lifelong learner.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

Global work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this certificate and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

View the learning outcomes for each stream:

You’ll organise and monitor your own learning over the course of the five core modules and five electives from your selected specialist stream (engineering, science, health, or business).

You'll explore different tertiary options and develop an individual pathway to prepare yourself for further study.

You will select one (1) of the following specialist streams:

  • engineering
  • science
  • health
  • business

Please note: For the science and engineering streams, having maths to at least year 10 level (or equivalent) will enhance the likelihood of successfully completing the maths component of this certificate. If your maths skills are below a year 10 level, consider the Certificate III in Science before the Certificate IV in Preparation – Science stream.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation
Program code: C4411
National curriculum code: 22582VIC
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation
City Campus
1 semester
C4411BUS
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 semester
Plan code
C4411BUS
CRICOS
View plan
Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation
City Campus
0.5 years
C4411ENG
Location
City Campus
Duration
0.5 years
Plan code
C4411ENG
CRICOS
View plan
Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation
City Campus
1 semester
C4411HLT
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 semester
Plan code
C4411HLT
CRICOS
View plan
Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation
City Campus
0.5 years
C4411SCI
Location
City Campus
Duration
0.5 years
Plan code
C4411SCI
CRICOS
View plan

Career

Upon completion of this certificate, you will be prepared to pursue further tertiary study.

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

Option 1:

Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (Business) (plan code C4411BUS):

There are no minimum entry requirements.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a personal statement. See information below.

Option 2:

Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (Engineering) (plan code C4411ENG):

There are no minimum entry requirements.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a personal statement. See information below.

Option 3:

Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (Health) (plan code C4411HLT):

There are no minimum entry requirements.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a personal statement. See information below.

Option 4:

Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (Science) (plan code C4411SCI):

There are no minimum entry requirements.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a personal statement. See information below.

All applicants:

Personal statement

All applicants are encouraged to submit a personal statement outlining:

  • their reasons for wanting to study this program
  • their intended career path
  • their personal strengths and attributes relevant to the program
  • details of any related work or voluntary experience

If you are currently studying, or have recently completed, secondary schooling please note that this program is not a substitute for year 12 study. Typically, students who have recently left secondary school will have completed year 11 and have completed or partly completed year 12 or its equivalent in Australia.

We recommend that if English is your second language and you have not completed year 12 or equivalent in Australia, you complete at least a Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study) before undertaking the program.

Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR (including any adjustment factors).

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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There are pathways into the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (Health). 

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the course/s below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

Business stream (C4411BUS)

Science stream (C4411SCI)

Engineering stream (C4411ENG)

Health stream (C4411HLT)

** For the Diploma of Nursing pathway, specific English language requirements apply. Please refer to the program page for further details. 

Fees

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Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2025 government subsidised place (with concession): AU$770* per annum
  • 2025 government subsidised place: AU$3,850* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$7,000* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.

If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information