CERTIFICATE IV · AQF 4
Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation
11240NAT · Delivered by Shafston School of Business, RTO 45694
Course code
11240NAT
Units
9 units
Duration
26 weeks (two school terms)
Delivery
Online (Virtual) for individual enrolments.
About this course
Who it suits, and how it runs
The Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (ATP) is the qualification Queensland universities recognise as an alternative to Year 12 for tertiary entry. TAFE Queensland and UQ College deliver it to adults returning to study, on campus. Shafston delivers the same accredited course to school students aged 16 and over, in school or online, so that a student who will not achieve an ATAR still finishes school with a rank universities accept.
Students complete three core units in academic learning skills and study planning, then six elective units from subject streams that mirror university subjects. Shafston delivers the General Mathematics, Legal Studies and Psychology streams plus an academic research project; other streams can be arranged for a school group. Completed streams can meet university subject prerequisites. Pure Mathematics, for example, is treated as equivalent to Mathematical Methods.
Who this course suits
✓ Year 11 and 12 students aged 16 or over who are not on an ATAR pathway but want a university-recognised result at the end of school.
✓ Students who have changed subjects during senior school and can no longer meet the five-subject ATAR pattern.
✓ Students who need a specific university prerequisite (such as a mathematics or science subject) that they are not studying at school.
Key facts
Credits, entry requirements, fees
QCE credits (Qld example)
8 credits on completion (Core category, as a Certificate IV). Credits count towards the 12 completed Core credits required for a QCE.
ATAR (Qld example)
In Queensland, yes. A completed Certificate IV can be the fifth input in an ATAR calculation (with four General subjects).
Duration and load
26 weeks (two school terms), or extended over Year 12 to fit the school timetable. 3 core units and 6 elective units.
Delivery models
Online (Virtual) for individual enrolments. Schools that partner with Shafston can arrange other delivery models.
Entry requirements
Currently enrolled in Year 11 or Year 12 and aged 16 or over at enrolment; LLND assessment at enrolment; USI; photo ID; access to a computer and reliable internet. Sound literacy and numeracy, good time management and a high level of commitment are expected. Unlike TAFE Queensland and UQ College, Shafston accepts students under 18 into this course.
University entry
Most institutions set their own selection rank for a completed qualification, separately from the ATAR. How VET is used for university entry →
Fees
Contact us for fee information.
Course units
9 units: 3 core plus 6 electives. The Shafston strategy delivers the General Mathematics, Legal Studies and Psychology streams plus the research project.
NAT11240024
Plan and prepare for study
NAT11240001
Apply academic learning skills
NAT11240002
Apply advanced academic learning skills to develop an academic argument
NAT11240012
Apply general mathematics in real world contexts (General Mathematics stream)
NAT11240013
Apply statistical and algebraic theory in real world contexts (General Mathematics stream)
NAT11240016
Understand criminal law foundations (Legal Studies stream)
NAT11240017
Understand civil law foundations (Legal Studies stream)
NAT11240025
Investigate psychology using science inquiry methodology (Psychology stream)
NAT11240027
Conduct an academic research project
Other streams
Pure Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Modern History, Ancient History and Environmental Studies can be offered to a school group, subject to trainer availability
Assessment and where it leads
How you are assessed, and what follows
Assessment
Graded academic assessment: essays, reports, examinations, presentations and a research task, marked against university-style criteria.
Further study
Apply to bachelor degrees, diplomas and TAFE courses on the strength of the completed course.
Employment
This is a preparation course. Its outcome is university or tertiary entry rather than a job role.
University
Recognised by universities as an alternative entry route; each institution sets its own rules. Completed streams can satisfy some subject prerequisites.
The fine print · Obligation statement
Obligation statement. Students are provided with every opportunity to complete the qualification; employment is not guaranteed on completion. Students competent in all units receive the qualification and record of results issued by Shafston International Pty Ltd trading as Shafston School of Business (RTO 45694); students who complete some units receive a Statement of Attainment. Completed units are reported to the student’s state curriculum authority (in Queensland, the QCAA learning account). Individual enrolments are delivered online directly by Shafston; where a school partners with Shafston, delivery is under a written third-party arrangement with that school. Information current at time of writing; see training.gov.au for national qualification details.