Entry Requirements

Below are the entry requirements for Australian citizens and residents - Domestic Students  

Applicants must satisfy ONE of the following requirements:

1. Completion of a Year 12 Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (for example, VCE, QCE, WACE, HSC, SACE, etc.) or equivalent;

OR

2. Completion of a Certificate III level qualification or higher (for example a TAFE Certificate), issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF);

OR

3. Completion of a Diploma-level qualification or higher,  issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF);

OR

4. Experience-based entry – for applicants who do not meet any of the requirements above. 

OR

5.  Successful completion of a recognised university preparation course (also known as tertiary enabling, preparatory, pathway  or bridging programs).

To be eligible for experienced-based entry, an individual must be able to demonstrate via cover letter and supporting documentation, together with participation in an interview where necessary, the following requirements: 

• An applicant must have completed or left high school two or more years prior to the application being submitted.
• The work and/or life experience cited in the application must be relevant to the particular course students are seeking to enter.
• These experiences may include formal, informal and non-formal learning, work experience relevant to the selected course, or other activities. 
• Given the fact that digital technologies are moving at such a rapid pace, the activities used as evidence to support experienced-based entry must have been completed within the past three years

Additional Requirements

1. To be eligible for enrolment in a CGSI accredited degree or diploma, applicants must be a minimum of 17 years of age at the time of commencing their studies. Please note however, that applicants may apply prior to turning 17.

2. Students applying for the Bachelor or Diploma of Digital Art will also be required to submit a portfolio of original work demonstrating skills relevant to their selected major (Concept Art, Illustration, or 2D Animation). For more information on how to submit your portfolio, please see the Portfolio Submission section on this page.  

3. Domestic applicants from a non-English speaking background must also demonstrate English language proficiency. This may be demonstrated as follows:

a. Applicants whose formal qualifications (secondary or post-secondary qualifications) relate to programs where English was the language of instruction and assessment automatically qualify, however, the final year of this study must have been completed no more than five (5) years immediately prior to commencement of study with CGSI. 

b. In exceptional circumstances, domestic students whose qualifications do not meet the requirements outlined in (a) above, but who have been long-term English speakers, may be exempted from the requirements outlined in c) below. However, in these cases, supporting documentation and an interview with the Executive Dean will be required. 

c. Students  from a non-English speaking background who do not meet the conditions outlined in (a) or (b)  above must  provide evidence that they meet CGSI’s IELTS (or equivalent) entry requirements (as follows): 

Applicants are required to provide documentary evidence that they have achieved the minimum requirements of an approved English Language test (as per the bullet points below) within two (2) years prior to the commencement of study. The minimum requirements for each respective test are as follows:

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): Overall Band Score 6.0 with a minimum sub-score of 5.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-Based Test (iBT): 75 or better overall and no score less than 17.
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): Overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46.

Below are the entry requirements for students who are NOT Australian citizens or residents - International students. 

Applicants must satisfy ONE of the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of secondary school studies. These studies must be recognised by CGSI as being equivalent to the Australian Year 12 Senior Secondary Certificate of Education; 

OR 

2. Completion of an accredited Certificate level qualification, recognised by CGSI as equivalent to an Australian Certificate III or higher; 

OR 

3. Completion of a Diploma or Degree level qualification, recognised by CGSI as equivalent to an Australian Diploma or Degree; 

OR

4. Experience-based entry – for applicants who do not meet any of the requirements outlined above.

• To be eligible for experienced-based entry, an individual must be able to demonstrate via cover letter and supporting documentation, together with participation in an interview where necessary, the following requirements:
  An applicant must have completed or left high school two or more years prior to the application being submitted.
• The work and/or life experience cited in the application must be relevant to the particular course students are seeking to enter.
• These experiences may include formal, informal and non-formal learning, work experience relevant to the selected course, or other activities. 
• Given the fact that digital technologies are moving at such a rapid pace, the activities used as evidence to support experienced-based entry must have been completed within the past three years.
  
  OR

5.  Successful completion of a recognised university preparation course (also known as tertiary enabling, preparatory, pathway  or bridging programs).

Additional Requirements

1. To be eligible for enrolment in a CGSI accredited degree or diploma, applicants must be a minimum of 17 years of age at the time of commencing their studies. Please note however, that applicants may apply prior to turning 17.

2. Students applying for the Bachelor or Diploma of Digital Art will also be required to submit a portfolio of original work demonstrating skills relevant to their selected major (Concept Art, Illustration, or 2D Animation). For more information on how to submit your portfolio, please see the Portfolio Submission section on this page. 

3. International Applicants seeking admission to CGSI courses are also required to demonstrate and meet one of the following minimum English Language Proficiency requirements:

EITHER 

Successful completion of secondary education, or a post-secondary accredited qualification in which English was the medium of instruction and assessment, with the final year of study having been undertaken during the five (5) years immediately prior to commencement of study with CGSI; 

OR 

By demonstrating through the provision of formal documentation, that the applicant has met the minimum requirements of an approved English Language test (as per the bullet points below) within two (2) years prior to the commencement of study. The minimum requirements for each respective test are as follows:

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): Overall Band Score 6.0 with a minimum sub-score of 5.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-Based Test (iBT): 75 or better overall and no score less than 17.
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): Overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46.

• Academic transcripts
• Portfolio or evidence of coursework with a recency of completion
• Proof of attendance/completion of course or unit
• Letter of recommendation from your teacher/mentor
• Proof of recent relevant industry experience 

Age Minimum
The general minimum age to be able to enroll in our industry certificate courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrollment process for applicants under 18.

Students under 16 will require a further assessment before they can officially enrol. This may include an interview with a course advisor and the creation of a study plan to ensure they have considered how they will manage a college-level workload.

English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There’s no specific ’level'; however, you must be able to understand video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.

Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

Portfolio Review (Digital Painting Courses Only)
Our digital painting courses have one additional entry requirement. Students must submit a portfolio demonstrating their skill level before their application will be considered. For more information on how to submit your portfolio, please see the Portfolio Submission section on this page.