Central Queensland University
A dual-sector university with campuses from Cairns to Melbourne, 50+ years of distance study and strong graduate pay.
- Students
- 34,461
- International
- 19%
- of students
- Tuition
- A$28,000
- From · 2027 (international); 2026 (domestic, indicative)
- Founded
- 1967
About CQUniversity
Central Queensland University, trading as CQUniversity Australia, began in 1967 as an institute of technology in Rockhampton and became a university in 1992. It is a dual-sector university offering both TAFE (vocational) training and university degrees, and it has more than 50 years of experience in distance and online education. In 2025 it had 34,461 students from more than 70 countries, including 6,675 international students and 11,221 VET/TAFE students.
CQU has campuses in 11 locations, from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Emerald and Bundaberg in regional Queensland to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, plus partnerships with Regional University Study Hubs. Teaching is organised into schools including Business and Law; Education and the Arts; Engineering and Technology; Health, Medical and Applied Sciences; Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences; Trades; and Access Education.
CQU suits students who want practical, career-focused degrees with flexible study modes and several intakes a year. Its graduates do well on salary: QILT data cited by the university puts it first in Australia for undergraduate median salary (A$96,900). International students can choose from 10 Australian campuses, and 2027 international fees start at A$28,000 a year.
Doctrina Perpetua
“Forever learning” — university motto
Why students choose CQUniversity
CQU reports first place in Australia for undergraduate median salary (A$96,900) in the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey - Longitudinal 2025.
International first-year fees for 2027 start at A$28,000 for Business, Accounting and Information Technology.
Health degrees such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic and Oral Health are taught at regional Queensland campuses.
Study on campus in 11 locations or online, with courses in hyperflexible format open year-round.
Admissions
Term 1 2027 (starts 8 March 2027); Term 2 and Term 3 intakes also available
Selectivity
CQU does not publish an acceptance rate. Course pages list a minimum rank threshold, e.g. ATAR 60 for Business and Agriculture, 65 for Information Technology and Engineering Technology, 69 for Medical Science and Chiropractic, 70 for Nursing and 77 for Physiotherapy (Honours).
Typical entry requirements
| ATAR / selection rank (minimum rank threshold) | Business 60; Agriculture 60; Information Technology 65; Engineering Technology 65; Medical Science 69; Science (Chiropractic) 69; Nursing 70; Physiotherapy (Honours) 77 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites (example: Information Technology) | English (Units 3 and 4, C) or equivalent |
| International secondary qualifications | Assessed against each course's academic requirements; applicants must also meet the Genuine Student requirement |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 75 Typical undergraduate requirement (e.g. Information Technology): IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component, TOEFL iBT 75 with no score below 17, PTE Academic 54 with no score below 46, or OET grade B in each component. Health degrees may require more. |
Deadlines
- Early-closing courses, Term 1 2027 (e.g. Nursing via QTAC) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~2 monthsMonday 7 December 2026
Some courses, including Nursing and Physiotherapy (Honours), have early closing dates for Term 1 2027.
- UAC (NSW and ACT residents), Term 1 2027 Non-binding In ~4 monthsThursday 28 January 2027
All courses except those with early closing dates.
- QTAC (Queensland residents), Term 1 2027 Non-binding In ~4 monthsMonday 15 February 2027
All courses except those with early closing dates. Term 1 starts on 8 March 2027.
Dates are from CQU's Important Application Dates page and the Bachelor of Nursing page (checked 29 September 2026). Closing dates can change and courses may close early if places fill. International applicants should follow the International Apply section and allow time for a student visa.
How to apply
Queensland residents apply through QTAC; NSW and ACT residents through UAC; residents of other states and non-school-leavers through ApplyCQU. International students apply directly through CQU's international application (or an authorised agent) and must meet the Genuine Student requirement. Applicants under 18 need approved welfare arrangements.
What admissions looks for
- An ATAR or selection rank at or above the course's minimum rank threshold.
- Course prerequisites, such as English (Units 3 and 4, C) for Information Technology.
- English language proficiency at the level set for the course.
- For international applicants, meeting the Genuine Student requirement for a student visa.
Tips for applying to CQUniversity
- 1 Check whether your course has an early closing date: Nursing closes on QTAC on 7 December 2026 for Term 1 2027, weeks before the general deadline.
- 2 Compare campuses: the same degree can be offered in several cities, and the 2027 international fee guide lists which campus offers what.
- 3 Southeast Asian applicants should look at the ASEAN Student Scholarship (50% off course fees), continuing in 2027.
- 4 Students starting at Rockhampton North can apply for the Live, Earn and Learn Scholarship, which gives 35% off accommodation at Capricornia College for 15 weeks.
Costs & financial aid
2027 (international); 2026 (domestic, indicative) · figures in AUD
For 2027 CQU has moved to lower international tuition fees from the start instead of general merit scholarships. Remaining international awards include the ASEAN Student Scholarship and Indonesia Student Scholarship (50% off course fees), the International Alumni Scholarship (15% off a further course) and the Live, Earn and Learn Scholarship for Rockhampton North. International students studying online from outside Australia pay lower fees (about A$17,520 in the first year). Domestic students can defer fees through HECS-HELP.
- 50% off course fees
- CQUniversity ASEAN Student Scholarship (2027)
- More than A$3 million available
- Donor-funded student scholarships (2025)
Academics
Academic calendar: Three terms a year, plus hyperflexible courses open year-round
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
CQU's most selective undergraduate course checked (ATAR 77), taught at Bundaberg, Cairns and Rockhampton.
Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic)
Taught in Brisbane, ATAR 69; international fee A$34,000 a year (2027).
Bachelor of Aviation (Airline and Airport Operations)
Taught in Cairns, with a separate Commercial Pilot degree.
Bachelor of Nursing
Available online and at Rockhampton and Brisbane; ATAR 70, domestic first-year fee A$5,850.
Bachelor of Agriculture
Taught at the Rockhampton campus; ATAR 60 and an international fee of A$33,000 a year (2027).
Research
- CQU is ranked in the top 30 globally for social impact in the THE Impact Rankings 2026.
- The university had 671 higher degree by research students in 2025.
- CQU research news covers regional topics such as livestock research, healthy shift work and helping local councils tackle microplastics.
Schools & faculties
- School of Access Education
- School of Business and Law
- School of Education and the Arts
- School of Engineering and Technology
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences
- School of Trades
- School of Graduate Research
QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey - Longitudinal 2025: first in Australia for undergraduate median salary (A$96,900); QILT GOS 2025: second in Australia for postgraduate full-time employment (97%).
Student life
With campuses in 11 locations, student life depends a lot on where you study. Rockhampton North has a student residence and nearby Capricornia College, the CQU Gym, health clinics, a library and a nursing laboratory; the Rockhampton City campus has Willby's Training Restaurant. Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide campuses offer a city base. More than half of CQU's students come from regional or remote backgrounds, and many study online while working.
- Campuses in 11 locations across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
- Capricornia College accommodation near the Rockhampton North campus.
- CQU Gym and CQU Health Clinics on campus.
- International Student Ambassadors you can chat to online.
Housing. On-campus residence is available at Rockhampton (Capricornia College); other campuses rely mainly on off-campus rentals.
Location
CQU's founding campus is in Rockhampton, a regional city on the Tropic of Capricorn in Central Queensland, close to the coast and the southern Great Barrier Reef. Its other campuses range from tropical Cairns and Townsville to the centres of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, so you can choose between a relaxed regional town and a capital city.
Nearest airport: Rockhampton Airport (ROK)
Notable alumni
- AM Anna MearesOlympic gold medal-winning track cyclist
- CF Craig FosterFormer Socceroos captain, commentator and human rights advocate
- WM William McInnesActor and author
- WB Wayne BlairIndigenous Australian filmmaker
- MB Martin BowlesFormer Secretary of the Australian Department of Health
- PT Paul TaboneOpera and musical theatre performer with The Ten Tenors
- CZ Craig ZoncaBreakfast presenter on ABC Radio Brisbane
- Y YohaniSri Lankan singer, songwriter and rapper
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for CQUniversity?
Minimum rank thresholds vary: 60 for Business and Agriculture, 65 for Information Technology, 70 for Nursing and 77 for Physiotherapy (Honours).
How much are CQU's international fees for 2027?
First-year international fees for 2027 range from A$28,000 (Business, Accounting, IT) to A$35,000 (Medical Science) and A$41,820 (Engineering Technology), with Nursing at A$31,000.
When does CQU's Term 1 2027 start and when do applications close?
Term 1 starts on 8 March 2027. QTAC applications close on 15 February 2027 and UAC on 28 January 2027, but some courses such as Nursing close early (7 December 2026).
What IELTS score does CQU need?
Typical undergraduate courses such as Information Technology need IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each band, TOEFL iBT 75 or PTE 54.
Does CQU offer scholarships to international students?
Yes, though for 2027 it has lowered fees instead of offering general merit scholarships. The ASEAN and Indonesia Student Scholarships give 50% off course fees, and the Live, Earn and Learn Scholarship covers 35% of accommodation for 15 weeks at Rockhampton.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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