Ways to study

Find a way to study that suits what you want right now. We offer different workload options and many of our courses are offered via one or more delivery modes.

Delivery modes

Everyone learns differently. We have a number of on-campus and online delivery modes or contact options designed to help you get the best out of your time with us. You can find more information about which delivery mode is available for your future course on the digital course brochure of the course you are interested in. Outside of our standard delivery modes, we also have a number of specialist delivery modes including TAFE at School, apprenticeship and traineeship and workplace-based delivery.

Study on-campus

Get a more traditional learning experience. Discover the hustle and bustle of life on-campus, interact with other students, and your teachers.

On-campus options

On-campus 100%

Learn face-to-face with a teacher in one of our learning spaces like a classroom, workshop, laboratory or simulated learning environment. In this mode you will attend a TAFE Queensland campus 100 per cent of the time, but you can also interact with your teachers using live video or web conference programs. You may also need to access our learning management system, Connect, to access resources, assessment details or submit assessment. If required, you may need to attend a vocational placement, and a teacher might attend to observe and assess.

On-campus with some online

You’ll primarily learn face-to-face with a teacher in one of our learning spaces like a classroom, workshop, laboratory or simulated learning environment. In this mode you will attend a TAFE Queensland campus most of the time, but some of your classes or training may be via video or web conference programs. You may also need to access our learning management system, Connect, to access resources, assessment details or submit assessment. If required, you may need to attend a vocational placement, and a teacher might attend to observe and assess.

Enjoy more freedom and flexibility of choosing when and where you study. Fit your studies around your lifestyle.

Online options

Online self-directed

Our online self-directed courses are for highly motivated individuals and we’ve designed these courses so that you can learn on your own terms. Your course will include mostly self-paced work and you will access learning materials including documents, videos, assessments and more through our learning management system, Connect. Depending on the course you will have opportunities to interact with teachers and other students using live video or web conference programs (like Zoom).

Online self-directed short courses

Our online self-directed short courses will range in duration from 1 hour to 6 months, and often you can start these at any time.

Online self-directed qualifications

Our online self-directed qualifications follow a 12 week intake period, where you will do one or two units of competency at a time. We will provide you with a recommended order for the units. Not only will you have teachers to interact with throughout the duration of each 12-week block, but you will also have a dedicated team of online learning professionals for support if you need it. If required, you may need to attend a vocational placement, and a teacher might attend to observe and assess.

Online virtual classroom

Your course will be delivered online, but to a scheduled timetable. You will interact with your teachers and other students using live video or web conference programs (like Zoom), and you will access learning materials through our learning management system Connect. Your teacher may use technology to do online demonstrations using specialised equipment and facilities. Any assessments and examination will be completed online. There is no requirement to come into campus with this mode, but can to access services like libraries or computers. If required, you may need to attend a vocational placement, and a teacher might attend to observe and assess.

Online with on-campus practical training

Your course is primarily online, however you will need to come into a campus to undertake face-to-face practical learning, assessment or a practical. As an online student you will interact with your teachers and other students using live video or web conference programs (like Zoom), and you will access learning materials through our learning management system Connect. Any face-to-face components will be teacher-led or organised and will enable you to connect with other students in one of our learning spaces like a classroom, workshop, laboratory or simulated learning environment. Assessment for this mode may be through online or face-to-face assessments and examination. If required, you may need to attend a vocational placement, and a teacher might attend to observe and assess.

Specialist modes of delivery

TAFE at School

If you’re a Year 11 or 12 student, you can complete a TAFE Queensland qualification while you're still at school. You'll get a head start on your career or tertiary study by choosing from a variety of certificate I to certificate III courses, while still completing your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). As a student in a TAFE at School program, you might do some training at one of our campuses, receive specialist training through your school and high school teacher or you might choose to do a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships combine hands-on learning with theoretical study and give you the opportunity to earn while you learn. As a trainee or apprentice, you’ll complete paid work in your industry as part of your studies, applying everything you learn in class to a practical environment straight away. As an apprentice and trainee options for training delivery are varied and include online, on-campus (such as block training) or workplace delivery. Sometimes there is a combination of these.

Recognition of prior learning

If you've completed prior study or have significant work experience, applying for credit transfers or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can reduce study time and costs. We can assess your skills and directly apply credits from previous study to give you a head-start in your course.

Study options

Your workload indicates how much time you need to commit to successfully complete your course.

Study or train full-time

Full time means you spend the full amount of hours per week on your course. A full-time option typically requires 30–35 hours of study per week. This includes any face-to-face instruction, tutorials, workshops, laboratories, self-directed online learning and individual study — depending on your course and the delivery mode you select. You may also need to undertake a set number of hours of work experience or vocational placement. Almost all courses are available full-time. You can find workload options on the digital course brochure of the course you are interested in.

Study or train part-time

Part-time means spending less time dedicated to your course. Studying or training part-time extends the duration of your qualification but may be a more manageable option[1] if you can’t commit to a full-time arrangement. Many people choose part-time study to fit in around their work schedules or family commitments. Part-time study is generally 50–75 per cent of the full-time study load. You may also need to undertake a set number of hours of work experience or vocational placement. You can find workload options on the digital course brochure of the course you are interested in.