Start Your Career. Finish Your Degree.
Graduate with a Diploma, gain real experience, then step straight into Year 2 of your Bachelor — no ATAR required.
Didn't get the ATAR you wanted? No problems!
Our Bachelor Pathway turns your Diploma into a degree without all the pesky uni requirements!
What is the best pathway to university without an ATAR?
The best pathway is starting with a Diploma, which provides direct entry into the second year of a Bachelor degree without requiring an ATAR. While the total study time is similar to a traditional degree, you graduate with a recognised qualification earlier, gain real-world experience, and reduce your overall tuition costs.
Bachelor Pathway - The Smarter Way to Start Your Degree
Start with a Diploma and gain real skills, real experience, and a recognised qualification — all before stepping into your Bachelor. It’s a more flexible, affordable pathway that gets you ahead sooner and sets you up for long-term success.
Same time. More qualifications. Real experience.
Why choose the Bachelor Pathway instead of straight to uni?
- Graduate with a Diploma after your first year
- Build industry experience while you study
- Reduce your Bachelor costs with credit + scholarship - plus 100% FEE-HELP available
- Enter university with confidence and direction
- Enter without ATAR or other requirements 👉 See entry requirements for the Diploma →
Build Your Future the Smart Way
Your Diploma doesn’t just get you job-ready, it gives you a more flexible pathway into university that allows you to start your career then finish your degree. Through our partnership with Torrens University Australia, successful Diploma graduates experience the following advantages:
Start Strong, Finish Ahead
Graduate with a nationally recognised qualification after just 8 subjects — so if your plans change, you’re already qualified and ready for what’s next.
Smarter, More Affordable Path
Skip the ATAR, step into second year, and save over $10k on your degree with built-in credit and a 25% scholarship.
Real Experience, Real Advantage
Gain practical skills, industry exposure, and job-ready confidence while you study, so you enter your Bachelor already ahead of the pack.
How do I save money on my degree?
Based on 2026 pricing, starting with a Diploma can save you thousands!
Diploma + Bachelor Pathway
- 8 Diploma subjects @ $2420 each: $19,840
- 16 Bachelor subjects ($2625 each less 25% scholarship): $31,500
- Total: $51,340
Bachelor Degree Direct
- 24 subjects @$2625 each: $63,000
- Total: $63,000
👉 That’s a saving of over $11,000! Plus you graduate with a qualification along the way.
Less fees = more freedom
Spend less on your education and have less debt, more freedom, and more money for you to invest in the things you love - like travel!
What is a Bachelor Pathway Program?
A Bachelor pathway program is a study option that allows students to complete a Diploma and then gain direct entry into a university degree with credit, reducing both the time and cost required to graduate.
At Flight Centre Travel Academy, your Diploma provides a guaranteed pathway into Year 2 of a Bachelor of Business — with no ATAR required.
Bachelor of Business Options
Bachelor of Business (Event Management)
Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship)
Bachelor of Business (Hospitality & Tourism Management)
Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
Bachelor of Business (Sports Management)
Combine Business Skills With Sport
Why Start with a Diploma First?
Choosing a Diploma before university isn’t the “long way” - it’s the smart way.
Graduate with something real, sooner
Build experience while others are just starting
Save money on your degree
ATAR-free entry
Confidence + Clarity
Start your Career. Finish your Degree.
While many students spend years studying before gaining experience, you’ll build industry skills first, with opportunities to start working sooner - then continue into your Bachelor when you’re ready.
How does it work?
Here is how it generally works (depending on your Diploma Study + Job program and your successful progression):
Step 1: Build real skills with your Diploma
Build your foundation in Business, Travel, Marketing and more with the 8 subjects in your Diploma.
Delivered in 9-week study blocks, you have the flexibility to study full-tim or part-time plus choose how much you work.
Choose to gain paid work in your Study + Job Program, building real skills, experience and confidence.
Step 2: Graduate with a recognised qualification
Graduate with more than a qualification - it's a genuine head start!
- A nationally recognised Diploma
- Paid industry experience
- Real skills employers are looking for
- Credit for First Year Bachelor of Business
Step 3: Skip straight to 2nd year Bachelor
Progress directly into Year 2 of a Bachelor of Business with Torrens University Australia.
Sidestep any university entry requirements - your Diploma gets you there!
Step 4: Complete your degree - your way!
Finish your Bachelor with flexibility:
- Full-time: ~2 years (with options to fast-track)
- Part-time: ~4 years
Graduate not only with a Bachelor of Business but real paid work and real industry experience behind you.
How long does it take to complete a Bachelor after a Diploma?
Most students can complete their Bachelor degree in 2 years after finishing a Diploma, as they enter directly into second year with credit.
This makes the Diploma + Bachelor pathway a genuine alternative as it takes the same time to complete your degree with more flexibility, more qualifications and real experience.
Your Bachelor of Business Options
Once you complete your Diploma, you can choose from a range of specialised Bachelor degrees to match your career goals:
Find out more
Bachelor of Business
A broad business degree covering management, leadership, and operations.
Ideal for: Students who want flexibility across industries
Career outcomes: Business Manager, Project Manager, Operations Leader
Bachelor of Business (Event Management)
Learn how to create and deliver memorable events, from corporate conferences to large-scale experiences.
Ideal for: Creative, organised, fast-paced thinkers
Career outcomes: Event Manager, Wedding Planner, Conference Coordinator, Brand Experience Manager
Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship)
Turn your ideas into reality with a focus on innovation, startups, and business creation.
Ideal for: Future founders and independent thinkers
Career outcomes: Business Owner, Startup Founder, Innovation Manager, Consultant
Bachelor of Business (Hospitality & Tourism Management)
Prepare for a global career in hotels, tourism, and guest experiences.
Ideal for: Students passionate about travel and customer experience
Career outcomes: Hotel Manager, Tourism Operator, Resort Manager, Travel Industry Leader
Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
Develop skills in branding, digital marketing, and consumer behaviour.
Ideal for: Creative and strategic thinkers
Career outcomes: Marketing Executive, Digital Marketer, Brand Manager, Marketing Specialist, Social Media Strategist
Bachelor of Business (Sports Management)
Combine business skills with a passion for sport and recreation.
Ideal for: Students who want a career in the sports industry
Career outcomes: Sports Manager, Club Administrator, Athlete Manager, Events Coordinator
Plan Your Bachelor Pathway
The Direct Entry Advantage
Skip the traditional university pathway and step straight into your future.
With your Diploma, you don’t need to rely on an ATAR. Instead, successful completion of the Diploma of Travel and Tourism you’ll enter university with proven performance, practical skills, and real-world experience.
Why Start at Year 1 When You Don’t Have To?
Most students:
- Start uni with no experience
- Study for years before graduating
- Build debt before gaining skills
With this pathway, you:
Is starting with a Diploma worth it?
Yes — a Diploma gives you a recognised qualification, real-world skills, and a direct pathway into a Bachelor degree, making it a more flexible and cost-effective way to start university.
Bachelor Pathway FAQs
No — completing a Diploma allows you to enter a Bachelor degree without an ATAR.
You can save over $11,000 in tuition fees compared to studying a full Bachelor degree directly. (based on 2026 tuition pricies)
After your Diploma, most students complete their Bachelor in around 2 additional years full-time. Part time options available
Facilitated learning (in-class) and online OR 100% online.
Now Is The Time
Excited to learn more about the Bachelor degree? Contact our team to find out how you can get there!
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