Understand entry requirements (International applications)
Entry requirements and admission pathways options for international students
No matter what level of study you have completed or what English level you have, we have a range of admission pathways to help you achieve your study goals. Discover what requirements you must meet for standard entry into undergraduate (bachelor), postgraduate (master) and research degrees.
Understand your degree requirements
Some degrees have higher entry requirements, specific prerequisites or require the submission of portfolios, medical checks or professional work experience. Search for your degree to view your specific requirements.
Find your degree
International applications (How to apply to study at Griffith)
Why choose Griffith?
Everyone has a different reason for choosing to study at Griffith University. For some it’s about the opportunity to live in one of the world’s most iconic locations. For others it’s because of Griffith’s famous student support, industry connections and highly-awarded teachers. Or what matters could simply be about getting a good job and making your family proud.
Whether it’s about looking after the planet, or looking after your career, whatever matters to you, Griffith University can help you make it happen.
About Griffith
For 50 years, we have been a purpose-driven, values-led university focused on creating impact where it matters most.
Since 1975, our teaching and research have been shaped by a commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability and inclusive access to education. Today, those ideals are more important than ever.
As we enter the second half of Griffith’s first century as a globally recognised university of excellence, we’re building on this legacy by placing purpose, people, partnerships and communities squarely at the centre of what we do.
From pioneering research and student entrepreneurship to supporting Indigenous flourishing and expanding access to education through online learning, we’re continuously adding to our history of making a difference in the world around us.
With more than 40,000 students, our community spans five campuses across South East Queensland plus our Digital campus. We’re also proud to be home to a global alumni network of over 200,000 graduates.
We know the world can, and should, be a better place—for everyone. By helping thousands of people create a brighter future for themselves, we’re doing our part to create a brighter future for all.
Read more about our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan.
Our University
Guided by our strong values, we’ve spent 50 years making our mark on Queensland, Australia and the globe
At Griffith, our mission is to transform lives and add to human knowledge in a way that creates a future that benefits all. That’s because we’re more than just a university—we’re a community.
Driven by inclusivity and equity, our learning and teaching experience has support built in at every turn. And every day, our researchers are at the forefront of innovation in areas such as climate action; clean energy; violence prevention; child, youth and family wellbeing; disability and inclusion; sports performance; drug design; and Australia’s geopolitical future.
Since our founding, we have been pioneers in fields such as modern Asian studies and environmental science, have become world leaders in nursing and midwifery, tourism and more, and have been vocal champions for social justice and sustainable practices.
Much has changed in the past five decades, but our commitment to creating a brighter future is as strong as ever. That’s why our teaching and research continues to address global challenges daily and create meaningful change for our students, their families and friends, and all of society.
Teaching and Learning
Find your purpose and make a positive impact on the world
At Griffith, our students are more than just a number. We pride ourselves on supporting the whole individual so you can succeed academically, professionally and personally.
For 50 years, we’ve been providing a transformative education experience to students from all walks of life. We draw on such strengths as innovative teaching, a vibrant community and relevant, flexible degrees to ensure our graduates are thoroughly prepared to make their choices matter as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of life after university.
Whatever your goal, if you’re ready for a career with purpose, Griffith is here to help you get there.
Ratings and rankings
Griffith consistently places in the top 2% of universities worldwide according to a series of prestigious ranking systems
By choosing to study at Griffith, students benefit from degrees informed by our world-class research, expert knowledge and industry connections. Griffith is also a university that lives its values—and, despite our relative youth, we’re being recognised worldwide for our commitment to sustainable development.
Ranked against the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Griffith placed equal 4th out of 2,152 participating universities worldwide in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
Facts and figures
Measuring our success
As part of our commitment to transparency, you will find important data about our staff, students, finances and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals curated from our official published and publicly available sources.
Purpose and values
Our purpose is to create a brighter future for all through high-quality education and research which transforms lives and adds to knowledge, discovery and understanding.
As we mark our 50th anniversary in 2025, we remain firmly focused on our founding ideals: to be a university driven by purpose, guided by values, defined by impact and committed to serving the many, not the few.
Griffith was established in 1975 to be a different type of university, embedding equity, inclusion and social justice at the heart of higher education. We pioneered Australia’s first degrees in modern Asian studies and environmental science, and we’ve continued to lead the way in fields that matter, from First Peoples health to sustainability, education and the creative industries.
Today, our founding values are as relevant as ever and ensure our teaching and research delivers benefit for our communities. As we navigate an era of rapid change, uncertainty and opportunity, we continue to respond in ways that aim to make the world a better place for everyone. Through career-ready degrees informed by the evolving world of work, we empower our students to thrive in complex, dynamic environments and give them the tools to succeed long after they graduate.
Our Strategic Plan 2025–2030 builds on this proud history, placing purpose at the centre of everything we do, supported by a clear focus on people, partnerships and place. Through this strategy, we’re living what matters to us by expanding access to education, strengthening our community ties, and working to create a brighter future for Queensland, the Asia–Pacific region and beyond.
Campuses and facilities
Our campuses are a thriving network of learning and innovation
Spanning three cities in South East Queensland, our physical campuses are located at the Gold Coast, Logan, Brisbane South and Brisbane City. Our digital offerings are located at your fingertips and span the globe. Each campus environment has state of the art facilities, and support services to make university life easier and enjoyable.
Structure and governance
Griffith has a core foundation of four academic groups: Arts, Education and Law; Griffith Business School; Griffith Health; and Griffith Sciences
We also have schools, departments and centres that fall under our academic groups, plus a range of research centres and institutes that develop new knowledge that feeds into these areas.
We also have an array of administration services that support the university, staff and students as well as our research, teaching and learning.
Griffith is led by Vice Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans and the University Executive Group, and our governing body is the Griffith University Council and its committees.
History
50 years of making it matter
This year, Griffith University turns 50 years old. That’s half a century of delivering a transformative education experience to hundreds of thousands of students from around Queensland, Australia and the world.
We want to honour all that Griffith is, was and will be, from our origins in the Nathan bush, on the unceded lands of the Yuggera, Turrbal, Yugerabul and Jagera Peoples, and expansion across South East Queensland right through to our future growth into the heart of Meanjin (Brisbane) and beyond. We’ll even be publishing a commemorative book to capture this moment in time, where we can pause—only for a moment—to take stock of just how far we’ve come.
Explore our history
Here’s to the moments that made us
For 50 years, Griffith University has been a place where bold ideals, innovation and community have come together to create a brighter future for all.
This timeline celebrates the defining moments, milestones and achievements that have shaped our journey so far. Read on to explore how we grew beyond the bush, on the unceded lands of the Yuggera, Turrbal, Yugarabul and Jagera Peoples, to become an internationally recognised leader in teaching, research and social impact.
Am I a sponsored student?
You are a sponsored student if:
- your tuition fees are paid by an external government or organisation; and
- Griffith University invoices your sponsor directly for your tuition fees.
If an organisation or company gives you money to pay for your tuition fees, you are not considered a sponsored student by Griffith University’s definition.
How do I pay my fees as a sponsored student?
- If you have a valid Financial Guarantee Letter, Griffith University will send your sponsor an invoice for your tuition fees each trimester. Your sponsor will then pay the invoice directly to Griffith University.
- If your sponsor pays you directly, you are responsible for paying your tuition fees by the University census date. You can visit paying your fees for more information.
How do I register to be a sponsored student?
When accepting your offer to study, you must provide a Financial Guarantee Letter from your sponsor to the Griffith International Admissions Team.
If the Financial Guarantee is approved, you will be granted a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and be registered as a sponsored student.
How can I send my sponsor my academic results?
If you are registered as a sponsored student and Griffith University has an agreement with your sponsor, we will send your academic results to them at the end of each trimester.
How do I accept my offer as an international sponsored student?
Before you accept your offer, you will need to meet all necessary requirements and submit all documents that are listed on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), along with a Financial Guarantee Letter from your sponsor.
Can I meet with a sponsored student officer?
Yes, you can meet with an International Student Advisor by booking an appointment online. Your appointment can be for a phone call, online meeting or for a face to face meeting at either the Gold Coast or Nathan campuses.
What is a Financial Guarantee Letter?
A Financial Guarantee Letter is an official declaration from your sponsor, on their letterhead, that they will sponsor you for study at Griffith University.
A Financial Guarantee Letter must include:
- sponsoring organisation’s name and contact details
- your name
- university name (Griffith University)
- your program name and major (e.g. Griffith English Language Institute, Griffith College Foundation, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor, Masters, Professional Doctorate, PhD)
- details of the sponsorship (commencing and finishing dates of the sponsorship, tuition fees, Overseas Student Health Cover single/family)
- invoicing contact (name, position, address).
The Financial Guarantee Letter must be signed and dated by an authorised representative of your sponsor.
I have single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and want to register for family OSHC. Will my sponsor pay?
You will need to contact your sponsor to request an updated Financial Guarantee showing that OSHC is covered for both you and your dependents.
If your sponsor agrees to pay for family OSHC
You will need to submit a copy of the updated Financial Guarantee along with a completed Change of OSHC request (PDF) to your Student Centre.
If your sponsor does not agree to pay for family OSHC
You can apply to upgrade your OSHC online at OSHC Allianz Care Australia*.
- Click on ‘Students’ in the pull-down menu
- Select ‘Upgrade to Family Cover’ from the list
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
Please note, you will need your policy number to log in.
* If you have difficulties ordering your OSHC card online you can visit an OSHC representative on campus. Go to OSHC contact times for information on locations and contact times.
I submitted my final thesis and I am waiting for the correction, but my sponsorship is ended. Do I have to pay for the thesis marking period?
No, you do not have to pay any extra tuition fees during the thesis marking period, but you do need a valid student visa.
When you submitted your thesis, Griffith International informed the Department of Home Affairs and cancelled your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You will receive an email from Griffith University’s Compliance Office, to your Griffith student email account with instructions on how to change or extend your visa while your thesis is being marked.
You can find further information on our submission of a thesis webpage.
My sponsor requires an Official Letter. Can I get one from the University?
Yes, please send your request via email to the International Student Advisory at isa@griffith.edu.au If you require any other type of Official Statement, you should complete an online request and payment through Griffith Pay.
My sponsorship is about to end but I haven’t completed my program. Can I apply for an extension?
You will need to submit a new Financial Guarantee Letter from your sponsor for the additional time required.
Your sponsor may require you to write a letter to them before they can issue you with an additional Financial Guarantee. An International Student Advisor can assist you with this letter if required.
Can I transfer into another Griffith program?
You must first obtain permission from your sponsor to change your program. If you are granted approval, you should then:
Undergraduate students
Complete an online Request for an Internal Transfer form.
Postgraduate students
Lodge an Application for Admission into the new program. Eligibility criteria can be found in the ‘International students – How to apply’ section of the degree finder.
What happens if I complete my program early?
If you complete your program one trimester before the end date of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) or earlier, the remainder of your CoE will be cancelled and the Department of Home Affairs will be notified of your early completion. Your sponsor will also be informed.
You will then need to make arrangements to return home, or contact the Department of Home Affairs to discuss your visa options. You will not be allowed to remain in Australia on your student visa without studying.
I would like to become an Australian permanent resident. Is this permitted by my sponsor?
Generally no. Most sponsors do not allow you to change your residence status while you are on a sponsorship. You are usually required to finish your sponsored course and return to your home country as soon as your sponsorship ends. Please check the terms and conditions of your sponsorship carefully.
How can I cancel my sponsorship?
If you have been offered another scholarship or you wish to pay your own fees you may be able to cancel your sponsorship and continue studying, but you will need to carefully check the terms and conditions of your sponsorship before you decide. Some sponsors may request a refund to be paid if you cancel the sponsorship, particularly if you plan to stay in Australia.
