Tertiary Course Entry :
Available Options
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| Back to the Tertiary Education page. |
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- You are ready to start university and study your chosen course - secondary education has finished, or you are returning to study after Time Off.
- One state’s approach to this can be found through the Universities Admissions Centre [NSW] page on Alternative Entry :-
‘For information on alternative entry at each of our participating institutions check under “Admission Requirements”. Read Other institution entry schemes for links to institution’s schemes and programs.’ - You know it is time to start checking options, so let’s look at options for entry to the course of your choice.
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If you wish to Expand or Contract all the headings and related information use the appropriate command.
Entry by attaining the standard set by a University;
- The best method of entry to the course of your choice, at the university of your choice, is to gain the entry level at the final examination of your secondary education, or an equivalent result through a Technical and Further Education college.
- Whichever state or territory, there is a body which allocates offers for university courses based on levels achieved at the end of secondary education.
- Requirements for different universities vary, some higher than others. The better your result, the greater the available options. It does not matter whether you want University ‘X’ that requires a higher ranking, or University ‘Y’ with a lower ranking but suits your total needs better, You gain the option to choose. This presumes you have chosen your preference with care and confidence.
- This is the best option. If you obtained the level required for automatic entry to the course of your choice, at the university of your choice, then this makes university entry much smoother.
- Take full advantage of the opportunity.
Entry by doing the same course at a different University;
- As mentioned, universities may have different entry levels for the same or similar courses.
- There are many reasons for this. They include reputation [age, name, achievement, emphasis on a particular academic area, research], ability to attract students [where it is, emphasis on particular areas, quality staff], internal as opposed to external emphasis, resources [additional funding sources], etc..
- If unsuccessful in gaining your first choice placement, you may be offered placement at another university in the same or similar course. If this occurs, you need to consider what to do. It may include :
- one of the options listed elsewhere;
- accept the option at the ‘other’ university and seek a transfer after the first year;
- Look at the offer and decide if it is, in fact, A good or better placement. Look at :
- The known strengths of the university concerned - each university concentrates on, and is renowned
for, a number of specific areas. Did you choose on general reputation alone ?
not a good idea ! - the staff - quality, availability and reputation;
- the course work - does it directly relate to what you want ?
- accommodation and other facilities. Is it more suited to your financial and social situation;
- the overall culture of the university. does it suit you ?
- Decide whether, in fact, this is a good offer and make a decision to accept or reject on that basis rather than doing either of these via emotion or perception.
- You Have to Make the Final Decision, but only do so after you consider the pros and cons, talk with people you trust to give you good advice and then make a judgement. It is worth the effort involved.
Entry by becoming a Full Fee Paying student;
- If personally able of pay all fees ‘up front’ and support yourself, there is possible entry to most universities [a few are full fee-paying only], at slightly lower levels of achievement.
- This can be up to 5 ranks lower than required for those using the Higher Education Contribution Scheme.
- however, you should check with individual universities in order to be certain what is possible and/or available. Contact via links on the Universities page, by phone or in person.
- Do Not Leave This Too Late if You Are Looking at This Option !
- Allow time to clarify what you want to know and to make a decision without eliminating other options.
Entry as the result of a ‘Special Appeal’;
- It is possible to make ‘special appeals’ even though you did not achieve the required level. However, …
- Special appeals must be based on evidence of possible justification, even if not finally successful;
- At the least, you would have to show results did not reflect performance in the last years of secondary education. This alone is still unlikely to satisfy appeal requirements;
- It would certainly be more likely if you had work experience, related courses, statements by instructors/teachers in support of your application and your capacity to achieve success in the course applied for;
- do not count on this as a genuine possibility. It might occur, but you would have to be fortunate and have considerable support from many sources for it to be considered.
- Special appeals must be considered virtually the last resort for entry.
- To apply, go directly to an individual university. Contact via links on the Universities page, by phone or in person.
Entry because of ‘Special Entry’ conditions;
- There are special entry conditions for selected groups at many universities and tertiary institutions. These apply to a variety of courses. Links to some examples are given below :
- Australian Capital Territory
Information
Check ‘Special Packages’. - Curtin University of Technology
‘Mature Age Entry’ - Indigenous Entry into
Medicine
[University of New South Wales] - Latrobe University
‘Mature Age Entry & other Non-Year 12 Applicants.’ - Queensland University of Technology
‘Making Inroads’ - Rural Student Entry Scheme - Medicine
[University of New South Wales] - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
Curtin University [Western Australia] - University of Adelaide
‘Special Entry’ - University of Sydney
‘Special Admission & Concessional Entry Schemes’ - University of Tasmania
‘Category 1 & 2 Admissions’ - University of
Western Australia
‘Special Entry’ - There is one special test which is available - the Special Tertiary Admissions Test [STAT]. It can be accessed across Australia by using one of the following links. :
- Admission Tests [Vic.]
This is from the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre, and covers people in Victoria, Tasmania and also Albury [NSW]. It has a question/answer format covering all details. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
[From ACER]
This site provides a wealth of information about STAT from what it is, content, practice questions, examples of skills, examples of written English, how it is scored and more. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test [NSW]
This is from the Universities Admissions Centre in NSW and covers people in NSW and the ACT. It provides full details about STAT. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test [Qld]
This is from the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre, and covers people in Queensland. It provides full details about STAT and the version used there. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test [SA]
This is from the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre and covers people in South Australia and the Northern Territory. This page provides brief details and contacts from this body. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test [WA]
This is from the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre in WA and covers people in Western Australia. It provides full details about STAT.
Entry by beginning a Related Course, then transferring to the course of your choice;
- It is possible to enter a related course with a lower ranking that you can satisfy with existing results.
- For example :
- this may be possible by taking a single degree instead of a dual degree e.g. Arts instead of Arts & Law;
- by taking a related degree which covers some of the same subjects e.g. Arts with subjects that can be used in a Science or Computing degree;
- Same course, different university [see above].
- For this you need to visit individual university sites to see options and be aware of cut off points for alternate courses that may allow transfer. You need to be aware of the criteria required if you wish to transfer :
- between degrees at the one university, or
- between universities, and possibly degrees, at a later time,
- These will vary between universities, whether in the same state or territory or not. Access may also rely on available places in courses you seek.
Entry by finishing a ‘Non-Award’ course, then transferring;
- Non-Award Courses is a scheme where students may undertake first year level courses without actually starting a degree. Depending upon achievement, you may be able to convert to a degree course.
- You need to check individual universities to see what is offered and what they are called. Different names are used - e.g. UniTrack, Continuing Education, etc., so check carefully to ensure you find the scheme under its appropriate title. Also check the Distance Education option below.
- However, provided your results [suggested Credit or above] across subjects taken is of a suitable standard, then transition to a degree course with credit for courses covered should be possible, provided places are available in the courses you seek.
- One factor you need to consider is the course costs and whether you were able to find financial support such as HECS-HELP and Austudy, to assist.
- Be aware, this is not an easy option to gain entry. You have to work hard and achieve well in order to gain access.
Entry [and possibly completion] of a course by Distance Education;
- Various universities have distance courses at degree level. Check with individual universities to see if they do and what courses they offer. Some cover most courses, others on a restricted basis.
- Another option is Open Universities Australia, offering undergraduate & graduate units for courses at the universities in their consortium. There are extra features - start in any of four study periods, work toward a degree or just for pleasure, resource formats.
- Be aware, that this is not an easy option.
- most importantly - you must come to grips with working in relative isolation, unless you are very fortunate to have other students nearby, and also possibly while undertaking some level of employment.
- Doing courses online or by other distance methods has positives and negatives. Consider carefully whether you are suited to this method of learning. Murdoch University has a series of questions you should consider seriously before embarking on any distance course from a university or other provider.
- Having done this, we can say it is possible, and possible to do well. however, it is not easy and you must be organised and committed to ensure success.
Entry to a course by using Technical and Further Education as an Interim Step;
- In some ways, this is similar to non-award courses.
- Most TAFEs, Institutes of Technology, Employment and Training Authorities, Departments of Education, Training & Employment entities have diploma courses. Some may be valid for transfer of results to a university setting. However, there are limitations on areas in which these apply and whether accepted by universities in relation to specific courses.
- There are 3 main steps :
- check TAFE Colleges to see what courses are available in applicable areas and at colleges you can attend. Not all courses are available at all colleges. You must be aware that many courses offered have little, if any, relationship to university courses;
- check with individual universities to see if they accept these as a basis for later entry, and if so what courses they accept;
- apply for credit then transfer into a degree course at the chosen university.
- Be aware, this is not an easy option for gaining entry. You are going to have to work and achieve at high levels to successfully convert any courses to degree acceptance and credit. You may have to do several units before consideration is given to granting credit or access.
- This may also depend on available places in courses you are seeking.
Entry to a course by using ‘Private Providers’ as an Interim Step;
- Be aware that there are two distinct groups of private providers :
- those linked directly to universities;
- those that aren’t, even though they may claim to have [tenuous ?] links.
- The situation with private providers may depend on the degree of connection.
- For those with direct links, providing credit and access will undoubtedly be better as universities control the content and know what is involved.
- For those that are not, you are in a similar position to that with the TAFE Colleges, perhaps even less, depending on the provider. You are directed to the information given in the section above for a recommended approach. You may contact some private providers through this page.
- Be aware, that this is not an easy option to gain entry. You are going to have to work and achieve at high levels to successfully convert any courses to degree acceptance and credit. You may have to do several units before consideration is given to granting any credit or access.
- This may also depend on available places in courses you are seeking.
Entry as a result of ‘Preparation Program / Certificate’;
- Most universities and some TAFEs, under whatever title, have Preparation Programs or Certificates preparing you for entry to degree courses. Check availability of financial support when considering this option.
- Anyone can apply for enrolment in these. This is the positive.
- Courses attract direct fees. This is negative.
- However, it provides one alternative if you have not met requirements.
- Be aware, that this is not an easy option to gain entry. You are going to have to work and achieve at high levels to successfully convert any courses to degree acceptance and credit..
- Check individual universities, e.g. tUNEup at the University of New England; Welcome to Insearch, University of Technology, Sydney; Tertiary Preparation Program at the University of Southern Queensland; the Preparing for Success Program at Southern Cross University, and TAFE Colleges for what is available, what obligations exist and what the course actually entitles you to before choosing this option.
One final option — Do the Final Secondary Examination Again !
- One Final Option, is to go back to school and do the final year and examination again.
- This is not an option many are keen about. Many of those returning do so for other reasons. The success rate is low. Statistics suggest less than 30% of returning students gain significant improvement. A significant percentage actually do worse than the first time.
- There are a variety of reasons for this :
- many feel a stigma at being back;
- you have different teachers;
- work you didn’t learn or understand may have been further back than that studied in the last school year, so you have to double study to correct this;
- You are with a different, younger cohort of students often with different interests, who may not make you fully welcome and involved in their activities;
- expectations are high on the part of everyone that you will do better, yourself included, otherwise why go back ? It is not always easy to handle such pressures;
- old friends are doing other things that will probably draw them away from you.
- So, if you are going to go back for a second try, you have to be :
- in the right mind set. This means committed to what has to be done, when it has to be done - mentally strong enough to hold to these parameters;
- honest about what you didn’t know and do, what you have to learn in order to achieve what you need.
lie to yourself → Forget Going Back ! - willing to work hard and prepared to ask for help - especially from staff, student friends and family. Each has something different to contribute and each will respond in terms of your actual commitment. there is a lot of good will if you are genuine. It evaporates quickly if not;
- willing to give up things not essential for the long term good. This doesn’t say don’t have balance, but only one thing can be allowed to take precedence;
- organised. If organised, you will achieve the maximum you are capable of, with minimum time and effort wastage. Time Management skills will help. Most involve common sense rather than intelligence. In addition though, They Require Commitment.
- In some ways, this is the Least Desirable Option, because of the above.
- It is — especially so for anyone who left secondary school other than at the end of the previous year. A preferable option for such people would be through the TAFE system.
- However, it is an available option to those committed enough to use it.
