Admissions Policies

COSTAATT is committed to supporting the holistic development and maximum attainment of all its students. Our Admissions Policy is premised on principles of access that aim to support student retention and success, as well as excellence in educational standards.

As a community college we are cognizant of the critical role that education plays in national development and as part of our mission therefore, we seek to provide access to applicants possessed of a wide range of abilities and to actively expand educational opportunities to those who may be under-represented in tertiary education.

As a learning community we recognize the dynamic nature of our activities, and strive in the spirit of our commitment to quality, to continuously review and improve admissions policies and practices.

Applicants are considered for admission on the basis of information submitted via the College’s admissions application. In arriving at an admissions decision, a range of selection criteria is taken into account, including academic achievement, relevant work or voluntary experience and performance at interview or audition.

While all applicants should meet normal matriculation requirements for programmes, every application is considered on its own merit and selection procedures do not discriminate amongst applicants on the basis of age*, gender, race or ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or disability.

Selection criteria must also take account of the College’s responsibility and/or legal obligations to comply with relevant legislative, governmental, professional or industrial codes and regulations.

* Variations in minimum age requirements for specified programmes are based on relevant legislative, governmental, professional or other regulations

Full-Time Student
A student who registers for 12 or more credits per semester. Full-time students must obtain special permission from the Department Chair and Registrar to register for more than 15 credits per semester.

Part-Time Student
A student who registers for less than 12 credits per semester. Part-time students must obtain special permission from the Department Chair and Registrar to register for more than 9 credits per semester.

Matriculated Student
A student who has formally applied and been accepted to pursue a certificate, diploma or degree programme.

Non-Matriculated Student
A student who enrols in courses to satisfy personal interests or needs and is not applying for candidacy for a certificate, diploma or degree programme. The department may require placement testing or interviews for such students.

Audit Student
A student who enrols in a course for personal needs or interests. Audit students are not required to take examinations and are, therefore, not awarded credit for courses.

CARICOM Student
A student who is a citizen of one of the members states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

International Student
A student who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Trinidad and Tobago or of a CARICOM state.

Mature Student
A student who is at least twenty-five years old and who does not possess the minimum academic entry requirements to matriculate to the College.

Transfer Student
A student who has completed college-level courses at a recognized higher education institution and who wishes to enrol in a degree programme at COSTAATT.

The academic year begins in August, which is when the College accepts its single, largest intake of students. However, some programmes also recruit for a January session. Applicants interested in a January start should inquire at the Admissions Office at admissions@costaatt.edu.tt for further information.

The College usually invites applications for admissions through advertisements in the daily newspapers and information on the website. However, the Admissions Office will accept applications for an August or January start, from October of the year prior to the year of entry. All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as places on programmes are limited.

ALL applicants must submit the following in order to be considered for admission:

• A completed and signed admissions application form.
• Originals and copies of secondary and/or tertiary academic certificates and official transcripts. Qualifications not in English MUST be accompanied by an official translation.
• A recognized form of photo identification (i.e. a passport; nationals of Trinidad and Tobago may present a Trinidad and Tobago ID card in lieu of a passport).

Please note: Applications submitted through the mail should be accompanied by copies NOT originals of important documents. Instead, originals should be presented at the Admissions Department as soon as possible thereafter.

Applicants to Programmes in the Division of Nursing and the Health Sciences

• Two (2) written confidential character references (AAS Basic General Nursing; AAS Basic Psychiatric Nursing; AAS Medical Laboratory Technology; AAS Environmental Health; AAS Occupational Safety and Health; B.Sc. Radiography; B.Sc. Radiation Therapy)
• A copy of a Nursing Council Permit (AAS Basic General Nursing; AAS Basic Psychiatric Nursing)
• A Police Certificate of Character (AAS Basic General Nursing; AAS Basic Psychiatric Nursing)
• A personal statement (B.Sc. Radiography; B.Sc. Radiation Therapy, Advanced Diploma Medical Ultrasound)

Applicants to Business Programmes and Performing Arts: Music

• Résumé (AAS Performing Arts: Music, mature applicants (25+) who do not have the minimum general entry requirements to AAS Human Resource Management; AAS Management with Accounting; AAS Marketing; AAS Criminal Justice; AS Management; AS Management Studies for the Protective Services)

Applicants for Financial Aid

• A birth certificate (if applying for Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) funding). This is relevant to Trinidad and Tobago Nationals only.

Non-Native Speakers of English

• Must provide evidence of English Language proficiency, via an internationally recognized English Language proficiency test.

Transfer Applicants

Applicants with previous tertiary education who wish to be awarded transfer credit must submit:

• A written request to the Admissions Department together with course outlines from the institution attended.

Transfer credit requests will be assessed once a department has indicated its desire to make an offer to an applicant.

Application Processing Fee

The College requires that applicants pay a small fee to assist in defraying the cost of processing an application. All applicants must therefore submit the following fee:

• A non-refundable fee of TT $25.00. This fee does not guarantee a place on a programme.
• Please note that online applications are free.

Unfortunately, the College is unable to process applications received without payment of this fee.

The College reserves the right to verify all documentation submitted in support of an application for admission.

All applicants will be notified in writing as soon as possible, regarding the outcome of their application. Offers of admission are valid only if made in writing by the Admissions Department.

Placement Testing

All newly admitted applicants are required to take the College Placement Test to determine their levels of proficiency in English and mathematics in order to be placed in the appropriate level courses. Tests are scheduled throughout the year and are offered at campuses in Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tobago. Applicants must register online for the placement test in mathematics and English click here.

Applicants sitting the placement test must bring a recognised form of photo identification (e.g. National ID card or passport). The College Placement Test is free of charge. Sample tests are available click here.

ALL ADMITTED APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE PLACEMENT TESTS IN ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE ACADEMIC READINESS FOR COLLEGE LEVEL STUDY.

Deferred Admission

Applicants to degree programmes who have met all college and programme entry requirements but who are unable to take up the place offered may defer enrolment for a maximum of one academic year. After such time, applicants will be required to re-apply to the College and may be required also to re-sit the diagnostic tests.

Music Auditions

Students in the music programme are required to audition to enable lecturers to place them in the appropriate level courses.

Transfer Applicants

Applicants wishing to transfer to COSTAATT from local or international tertiary institutions must submit official transcripts of all subjects completed at previous tertiary institutions, along with the completed COSTAATT application form. Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago who received Government Assistance for Tertiary Education (GATE) funding at their previous tertiary institution, must contact the Admissions Office prior to completing the application form.

Applicants wishing to transfer to COSTAATT with advanced standing must submit the following, along with the application form:

• Official transcripts of all subjects previously completed at a tertiary level institution
• Copies of syllabus/course outlines for courses completed
• A completed Request for Transfer Credit form, which is available at the Office of the Registrar

COSTAATT requires that all candidates must successfully complete at least 70% of the course/credit requirements at the College. Only courses completed at the College or credits earned through a challenge examination will be computed in the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).

The College evaluates the transcripts of transfer students to determine equivalency with its own programmes of study and requirements for graduation. Please note that, depending on the programme of study, there is a limit to the number of credits that may be transferred or the number of exemptions that may be granted. Transfer applicants must be in good academic standing at the previous institution. Please contact the Admissions Office for further information.

CARICOM and international applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, originals and copies of all academic certificates, as well as official copies of transcripts of all subjects completed at prior secondary and tertiary level institutions. A certified translation is required for documents not in English.

It may also be necessary for applicants to have their qualifications assessed by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT).

CARICOM and international applicants must meet all college admissions and immigration requirements. (A CARICOM applicant is a citizen of one of the member states of the Caribbean Community).

Applicants must submit high school and college transcripts with the standard admissions application form. Non-English transcripts should be translated and certified by an authorized agency before submission to the Admissions Department.

Applicants from countries where English is not the native language or primary language of education, must provide evidence of their competency in English via an internationally recognized English Language Test such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with other application documents. Please see the table below for required minimum test scores.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS

In addition, applicants must submit documented evidence of adequate funding to cover all costs (including tuition, college fees, books, boarding and other living expenses).

Transient Applicants

A transient applicant is one who is attending another tertiary level institution (local or foreign), but wishes to temporarily enrol in COSTAATT and transfer credit back to the home institution. The student must provide an official transcript and written evidence of advisement from the home institution, identifying the courses approved for transfer of credit. Applicants for transient status must complete the College’s Admissions form and pay the relevant fee.

Readmission

Students who commenced studies with COSTAATT, but have been absent without approval for three or more consecutive semesters, must complete the College’s readmission form. Students who fail to complete the form will not be readmitted to the College.

All admitted applicants are required to take placement tests in English and Mathematics in order to be placed in appropriate level courses.

To assist you in preparing for these tests, please download and review the sample tests (in PDF format) below:

Sample English Proficiency Test

Sample Mathematics Diagnostic Test

Register Online Now to Take Your Placement Tests!

Placement tests are scheduled to take place at various times around the year for new students seeking enrolment to COSTAATT. Tests will take place at three campus sites for your convenience: City Campus in Port of Spain, South Campus on Sutton Street, San Fernando, and Tobago Campus, Glen Road, Scarborough. Only applicants who have registered online would be allowed to take the Mathematics and English proficiency tests.

Please ensure that you choose the date and campus most convenient to you. Your registration would be valid ONLY for the campus and the date for which you are registered. There is limited space at each test sitting, so please register early.

To register, please visit the Placement Test Dates page for upcoming test dates at our various test sites. Each link corresponds to the relevant date on which you would like to take your tests. On the registration page that follows the link, click on the orange “Register Now” button located on the bottom of the page. Follow the simple on-screen instructions and provide the required information in two easy steps.

Please remember that placement tests are FREE. No fees or charges are applied. Please provide a valid e-mail address to complete the registration process.

Applicants sitting the placement tests must bring a recognized form of photo identification (e.g. Trinidad & Tobago National ID Card or Passport).

Applicants are asked to be on campus and seated in their assigned place by 8:30AM on the day for which they are registered. The times for the tests on all days are as follows: