ANU Diploma progression: which degrees require GPA 4.0 or 4.6?
ANU Pathway Diploma progression thresholds depend on the Bachelor degree you want to enter. All aligned Business and Economics destinations, Bachelor of Computing and Bachelor of Asian Studies require GPA 4.0. Bachelor of International Relations, Bachelor of International Security Studies, Bachelor of Political Science and Bachelor of Public Policy require GPA 4.6.
All aligned Diploma-to-Bachelor pathways
The destination degree matters when reading the progression requirements, particularly within the Diploma of Politics and International Relations.
| ANU Pathway Diploma | Aligned Bachelor degree | Progression GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma of Business and Economics | Bachelor of Accounting | 4.0 |
| Diploma of Business and Economics | Bachelor of Business Administration | 4.0 |
| Diploma of Business and Economics | Bachelor of Commerce | 4.0 |
| Diploma of Business and Economics | Bachelor of Economics | 4.0 |
| Diploma of Business and Economics | Bachelor of Finance | 4.0 |
| Diploma of Computing | Bachelor of Computing | 4.0 |
| Diploma of Politics and International Relations | Bachelor of Asian Studies | 4.0 |
| Diploma of Politics and International Relations | Bachelor of International Relations | 4.6 |
| Diploma of Politics and International Relations | Bachelor of International Security Studies | 4.6 |
| Diploma of Politics and International Relations | Bachelor of Political Science | 4.6 |
| Diploma of Politics and International Relations | Bachelor of Public Policy | 4.6 |
These are the GPA thresholds for the aligned pathways. They should be read alongside completion of the relevant Diploma.
Politics and International Relations has different thresholds
The Diploma of Politics and International Relations does not have a single GPA threshold across all its aligned destinations.
Bachelor of Asian Studies requires GPA 4.0. The other aligned destinations—International Relations, International Security Studies, Political Science and Public Policy—require GPA 4.6.
For a student choosing this Diploma, the useful planning question is which Bachelor degree they intend to progress into. Grouping every destination under GPA 4.6 would overstate the requirement for Asian Studies.
How Diploma GPA maps to selection rank
ANU’s Diploma GPA-to-selection-rank table provides the following equivalencies:
| Diploma GPA | Equivalent selection rank |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 80 |
| 4.2 | 82 |
| 4.6 | 85 |
| 5.3 | 90 |
| 6.1 | 95 |
| 6.5 | 99 |
This conversion explains the relationship between Diploma results and selection rank. The aligned pathway table above identifies the GPA attached to each destination degree.
Aligned progression carries a year of credit
ANU Pathway Diplomas are standalone AQF Level 5 qualifications nested within a pathway to an aligned Bachelor degree. Each Diploma takes 12 months of full-time study across two semesters and eight courses.
The aligned pathway provides one year of credit, equivalent to 48 units, towards the Bachelor degree. Diploma study includes ESEN1001 Academic Skills for University Study and level-1000 courses shared with Bachelor students.
Teaching is in person at ANU’s Acton Campus in Canberra, with no remote option. The programs are delivered by a wholly ANU-owned Pathways entity, and students are full ANU students from commencement.
Changing to a non-aligned degree has a separate assessment
After completing a Diploma, students may apply for a Bachelor degree outside its aligned destinations. ANU assesses that application in the same way as an application from a student who has completed one year of undergraduate study at ANU.
Credit is assessed case by case. A full year of credit is not guaranteed when changing to a non-aligned program. The relevant details are the intended degree, its entry requirements and how much completed study can count towards it.
GPA 4.6 also appears in scholarship assessment
The scholarship threshold serves a different purpose from the progression requirements.
Most Diploma students are not eligible for the ANU International Achievement Award or Vice-Chancellor’s Award during their Diploma. They are assessed on articulation if their Diploma GPA is at least 4.6, equivalent to selection rank 85. Meeting that threshold does not itself promise a scholarship.
An exception applies to Pacific Region citizens, who receive a 50% tuition discount under the International Achievement Award from Diploma commencement.