Admissions·Australia & New Zealand· 9 min read

Griffith University Admission Guide for International Students

How to apply to Griffith University across the Gold Coast and Brisbane in Queensland as an international student: entry requirements, English options, Griffith College pathways, its health/hospitality/aviation and music strengths, trimester intakes, QTAC, and how to apply.

Last updated 3 July 2026

About Griffith University and who it suits

Griffith University is a public university in South East Queensland, with a network of campuses spread across the Gold Coast and Brisbane — placing students either in a coastal, tourism-driven city or in the Queensland state capital, depending on the campus. That geography shapes the university's identity: it is well known for health and nursing, hospitality and tourism (a natural fit for the Gold Coast), aviation, and music through the Queensland Conservatorium, one of Australia's notable performing-arts schools.

This guide is written for international applicants and walks through the admission process structurally: entry requirements, English options, the Griffith College pathway route, the trimester intake calendar, and how to lodge an application through the Queensland systems. It does not quote specific entry scores or tuition figures, which change annually and vary by course; confirm the current requirements and fees for your exact programme on the official Griffith University website.

Campuses across South East Queensland — the Gold Coast and Brisbane
Recognised strengths: health/nursing, hospitality & tourism, aviation, and music (Queensland Conservatorium)
On-campus pathway provider: Griffith College; English via the Griffith English Language Institute (GELI)

Academic entry requirements

Griffith assesses admission on your previous study and how it compares to the Australian level required for your course. For an undergraduate bachelor degree, you are assessed against an Australian Year 12–equivalent senior secondary qualification, with your Indian board or other result mapped to Griffith's country-specific standards. For a postgraduate coursework degree, entry generally requires a recognised bachelor degree at the required equivalent level, sometimes with a specific discipline background or professional experience.

Some programmes carry higher, additional or profession-specific requirements: health and nursing courses can include prerequisites, medical checks or professional-experience conditions, while music and performance programmes at the Queensland Conservatorium typically require an audition alongside academic entry. Because thresholds differ by programme, check the exact entry requirement listed on your specific course page rather than relying on a general figure.

Undergraduate: assessed against an Australian Year 12–equivalent secondary qualification
Postgraduate coursework: a recognised bachelor degree at the required level, sometimes with prerequisites
Health/nursing may add prerequisites or checks; music at the Conservatorium typically requires an audition

English language requirements and options

All Griffith courses are taught in English, so international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency for their programme (unless they qualify for an exemption based on prior study in English). Griffith accepts a range of recognised English tests such as IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT, and the required score depends on the course — professional and health programmes typically require higher levels than general programmes.

If you do not yet meet the English requirement, the Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) runs English programmes, including a Direct Entry Program, whose length depends on your current level. Successfully completing the required GELI programme lets you meet the English condition and move into your degree or a Griffith College course. Confirm the exact required score and accepted tests for your programme on Griffith's official entry-requirements pages.

Required English level varies by course; health/professional programmes are usually higher
Recognised tests such as IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are accepted — check the current list
GELI's English programmes (including a Direct Entry Program) can bridge an English gap

Pathway routes via Griffith College

If you do not meet the direct academic requirement for your chosen bachelor degree, Griffith College — Griffith's pathway provider — offers programmes as an alternative to the first year at the University. You can complete a diploma and then progress into a later year (typically the second year) of a selected Griffith bachelor degree, subject to meeting the progression requirements.

This route suits students who need additional academic preparation, a smaller-class transition, or extra time to build English before the full degree. The available diploma and the degree it leads into depend on your target field, so align the pathway with the bachelor programme you ultimately want to complete.

Griffith College offers foundation and diploma pathway programmes
Successful completion of a diploma can lead into a later year (typically the second) of a selected Griffith bachelor degree
Match the diploma to the degree you plan to finish

Intakes and key timing

Griffith operates on a trimester system, which gives multiple start points across the year for many programmes — the main intakes typically fall at the start of the year and around the middle of the year, with some courses offering an additional trimester start. Griffith College also runs multiple trimester intakes, and research higher degrees generally have several intakes across the year.

Application and offer-acceptance deadlines fall before each start date, so plan backwards: allow time to prepare documents, sit an English test (or audition, for music), receive and accept an offer, arrange fees and OSHC, and apply for your student visa. Availability differs by programme, so verify the current intake and closing dates for your exact course on the official Griffith pages.

Trimester system → several possible start points per year for many courses
Griffith College and research degrees also run multiple intakes
Confirm the current intake and application deadlines for your specific programme

How to apply

International students can apply to Griffith either directly through the University's international application process or, for some Queensland undergraduate routes, through the Queensland admissions centre (QTAC) — check which applies to your course. Many students also apply through an approved education agent. You provide your academic transcripts and certificates, evidence of English proficiency (or a plan to meet it), your passport, and any course-specific documents (such as an audition for a Conservatorium programme). Griffith assesses the application and, if successful, issues a Letter of Offer that may be conditional or unconditional.

After you accept the offer and meet any conditions, Griffith issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which you need for the student visa (subclass 500). A subclass 500 application must meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, and the Duolingo English Test is not accepted for the subclass 500 visa even where an institution may accept it for admission — use an approved test for visa purposes. Note also that, for some Australian migration purposes, the Gold Coast is designated a regional area; this is a factual designation only, it can change, and eligibility is a matter for the Department of Home Affairs — this guide is general information, not immigration advice, so verify current settings on the official source. Work through each step in order and rely on Griffith's official admissions channels for course advice.

Apply directly to Griffith, via an approved agent, or via QTAC for some Queensland undergraduate routes
Prepare transcripts, English evidence, passport and course-specific documents (including any audition)
Offer → accept and meet conditions → CoE → apply for the subclass 500 student visa (Genuine Student requirement applies)

Frequently asked questions

Where is Griffith University and what is it known for?

Griffith has campuses across South East Queensland, spanning the Gold Coast and Brisbane. It has a recognised profile in health and nursing, hospitality and tourism, aviation, and music through the Queensland Conservatorium. Confirm programme and campus details on griffith.edu.au.

How does the trimester intake system work at Griffith?

Griffith uses a trimester calendar, which gives multiple start points across the year for many programmes, with main intakes usually at the start of the year and around mid-year and some courses adding another trimester start. Griffith College and research degrees also run multiple intakes. Verify current dates for your course on the official website.

Do I audition for music, and are there health-course prerequisites?

Music and performance programmes at the Queensland Conservatorium typically require an audition alongside academic entry, and health or nursing courses can add prerequisites, medical checks or professional-experience conditions. Requirements vary by course — check your specific course page on griffith.edu.au for the exact requirement.

Can I use Griffith College if I don't meet direct entry?

Yes. Griffith College offers diploma pathways as an alternative to the first year, which can lead into a later year (typically the second) of a selected Griffith bachelor degree if you meet the progression requirements. The Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) also offers a Direct Entry Program to bridge an English gap. Align the pathway with your target degree.

Do I apply directly or through QTAC?

International students can apply directly to Griffith or through an approved education agent, though some Queensland undergraduate routes go through the Queensland admissions centre (QTAC). Check which route your chosen course uses on the Griffith apply pages.

Is the Gold Coast a regional area, and is the student visa part of admission?

For some Australian migration purposes the Gold Coast is designated a regional area, but this is a factual designation that can change and eligibility rests with the Department of Home Affairs. Admission and the visa are separate: after you accept an offer and get a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), you apply separately for the subclass 500 student visa, which must meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Griffith University — Understanding entry requirements; Griffith University — International applications; Griffith College — International students (how to apply); Griffith English Language Institute (GELI).

Last verified: 3 July 2026.