Studying at university is an ideal way to upgrade your selection rank
If you don't achieve the selection rank needed to secure a place in your preferred degree, you could start studies in an alternative degree to improve your rank. Once you achieve the selection rank required, you can then reapply or transfer to your preferred degree.
If you have already completed some university studies, either at Griffith or elsewhere, this may also be used to determine your selection rank.
A guide to selection ranks based on university studies
Successful completion of two or more bachelor-level courses in a degree program can provide you with a new selection rank. Selection ranks based on university study depend on how many courses you complete and the overall GPA achieved. Use the below table as a guide.
Overall GPA | Two courses completed | Four courses completed | Six courses completed | Eight courses completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6.95 | 85.95 | 88.95 | 94.95 | 99.95 |
6.50 | 85.00 | 88.00 | 94.00 | 99.00 |
6.00 | 83.00 | 85.00 | 92.00 | 98.00 |
5.00 | 79.00 | 81.00 | 89.00 | 96.00 |
4.00 | 75.00 | 77.00 | 84.00 | 93.00 |
Note: The above is based on one course being the equivalent of 10 credit points at Griffith and study attempted under the one degree program. Please also note, the GPA may vary to how it appears on your transcript as some letter grades may be translated into numerics differently.
Choosing an alternative degree
Before applying for an alternative degree to upgrade your selection rank, you may wish to consider a degree with a similar first year to your desired degree. This may maximise the credit that can be awarded towards your desired degree, potentially saving you time and money. Check Degree Finder to explore degrees with a similar structure.
When applying to QTAC or UAC make sure you include alternative degrees in your preferences.
If you do not receive an offer into your preferred degree, you may be considered for an alternative degree that allows you to achieve a new selection rank based upon successful completion of courses.
Maximise your chances of upgrading your selection rank
Check the lowest selection rank for the most recent intake for your preferred degree to provide a guide as to how well you will need to perform in your courses to upgrade your rank. You can find this program entry information in our Degree Finder.
Please note that ranks do change each year depending on the applicant pool, so ranks from prior intakes are to be used as a guide only.
For entry into competitive degrees, it is recommended you study full-time in an alternative degree for at least one year (completing 80 credit points) to maximise your chances of achieving a selection rank high enough for entry into your desired degree.
Note: To also be considered for an offer all documentation must be received and/or grades available (published) by the document due date or application closing date for the degree. For example, Trimester 3 results are not available in time for the processing of competitive degrees in the January offer rounds, and/or may not be ready for other programs for Trimester 1 depending on the program and the grade release date. We recommend you contact Griffith University Admissions staff to confirm any details around application processing timeframes for competitive or quota managed degrees.
See the credit and rank calculations section for more information on how credit can affect the calculation of your rank.
Combining multiple study attempts to achieve a selection rank
For studies of less than one year full-time, a high enough selection rank generally cannot be achieved for entry to competitive degrees.
However, if you have multiple short attempts of tertiary study, these may be combined to achieve a higher rank.
Please consider these rules on how ranks are calculated from multiple attempts of tertiary study:
- Only study attempts of less than one-year are combined.
- When the study attempts of two or more qualifications are combined, the duration must add up to one year of Full-Time Equivalent (1FTE) or more.
- The study attempts must all be the same academic level (for example, bachelor-level study).
- All study attempts of less than one-year (of the same academic level) must be combined irrespective of the institution where you completed the study, or the GPA.
So, if you have studied at Griffith and completed short attempts of study from another degree elsewhere, this will also be combined.
This is a core rule that does not allow applicants to cherry pick their best study attempts and allows for a fair and equitable process for all applicants.
If you have any further questions about combining multiple study attempts of less than one-year full-time equivalent, please contact Domestic Admissions.
Advice provided will be based on the information you provide in your enquiry, so make sure you provide details of all study you may have attempted or completed and include any study from other institutions.
When submitting an application, you must also declare all details of study. Failure to include all details may be seen as false or misleading.
Examples of rank calculations from combined study attempts
When study attempts are not combined
Attempts of one-year full-time equivalent (80CP) or more are not combined with any other study—these are awarded a rank on their own.
Study attempts with a combined duration of less than one year full-time are not combined.
Differing study levels such as diploma and bachelor-level study are also not combined.
See the examples below.
Examples of rank calculations from non-combined study attempts
Credit and rank calculations
If you apply and receive credit or advanced standing for prior studies, this may not be included in the calculation of your new selection rank.
If you need to complete one-year Full-Time Equivalent of study to achieve a high enough rank, then you will need to complete 80CP (at Griffith) of new study. The credit applied will simply not be included in the calculation. However, you do not need to remove any credit from your transcript. Having the credit applied allows you to progress in your degree while still being considered for upgrading once you have enough study and achieved a high enough GPA.
The only time the other study (the credit) is included in the rank calculation would be if it is ‘one of the multiple attempts of study’ used to calculate a rank based on combining study.
Examples of credit in rank calculations
How to reapply for your preferred degree
If you are a Griffith University student on track to complete or have completed sufficient study to improve your selection rank, you can apply for an internal transfer into your preferred Griffith University degree and be assessed based on you bachelor level study.
If your preferred degree is excluded from internal transfer, we would welcome a new application through QTAC or UAC (check offerings to confirm).
For further information, visit internal transfer, or refer to the program entry on the degree finder for how to apply.