• The best entry method to any course of your choice, at the university of your choice, is to gain the entry level at your final secondary examination, or an equivalent result through a Technical and Further Education College.
• Whichever state or territory, there is a body that allocates offers for university courses based on levels achieved at the end of secondary education [see link in the introduction].
• Requirements for different universities vary, some higher than others. The better your result, the greater your options. It does not matter whether you want University X that requires a higher ranking, or University Y, with a lower ranking but suiting your needs better, you earned the option to choose. This presumes you chose your preference with care and confidence.
• This is The Best Option. If you obtain the level required for automatic entry to the course of your choice, at the university of your choice, entry is so much easier.

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• As mentioned, universities may have different entry levels for identical 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 strengths of the university concerned - each university concentrates on, and is renowned for, specific areas. Was your original choice on 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. Will It Suit You ?

• Decide if this is a good offer and make a decision to accept or reject on that basis rather than doing either based on emotion or perception.

• You Have to Make the Final Decision. Only do so after considering pros & cons and talking with people you trust for good advice. Then make a judgement. It is worth the effort.

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• If 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 other means.
• However, check with individual universities in order to be certain what is possible and/or available. Contact via links on the Universities page, by phone, email or in person.
• Do Not Leave It 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 possible options.

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• It is possible to make special appeals even though you did not achieve the required level. However, …

• Special appeals must be based on evidence and probable justification, even if finally unsuccessful.
• As a minimum, you would have to show results did not reflect performance in the final secondary years. This is still unlikely to satisfy appeal requirements.
• It would certainly be more likely if you had work experience, related courses, statements by instructors/teachers to support both your application and capacity to attain success in the desired course.
• 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.

• Special appeals are considered virtually the last resort for entry.
• To apply, approach an individual university. Use links on the Universities page.

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There are special entry conditions for selected groups at most universities and tertiary institutions. Selected examples are provided below.

• Curtin University of Technology
  ‘Mature Age Entry’
• Educational Access Schemes [EAS]
  ‘All institutions have EAS for applicants who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage. If you think you might be eligible, you should submit an EAS application’. This page is from UAC [NSW], but other states have similar data.
• Indigenous Entry into Medicine
  [University of New South Wales]
• Latrobe University
  ‘Mature Age Entry & other Non-Year 12 Applicants.’
• Newstep
  ‘Newstep is your second chance’. University of Newcastle.
• Pathways to UWS
  ‘There are a number of Pathways to the University of Western Sydney and they are listed below’. Another option at UWS is University Foundation Studies, for which information can be found here.
• Queensland University of Technology
  ‘Making Inroads’
• Rural Student Entry Scheme - Medicine
  [University of New South Wales]
• Special Tertiary Admissions
  Curtin University [Western Australia]

UniTEST

• Flinders University
  ‘uniTEST is an initiative which recognises that the Tertiary Entrance Rank is not always the best indicator of aptitude or ability to undertake tertiary studies’.
• Macquarie University
  ‘uniTEST is an equity initiative which recognises that the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank [ATAR] is not always the best indicator of aptitude or ability to undertake tertiary studies’.

• University of Adelaide
  ‘Special Entry’
• University of Sydney
  ‘Special Admission & Concessional Entry Schemes’
• University of Tasmania
  Year 12 and alternate admission information.
• 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 any of the following.

• Admission Tests [Vic.]
  The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. Covers people in Victoria, Tasmania and also Albury [NSW]. It has a question/answer format covering all details.
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test
  From ACER. Extensive information about STAT. What it is, content, practice questions, examples of skills, examples of written English, how it is scored and more.
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test [NSW]
  The Universities Admissions Centre, NSW. Covers people in NSW and the ACT. Full details about STAT.
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test [Qld]
  The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre. Covers Queensland. Full details about STAT and the version used there.
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test [SA]
  The South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre. Covers people in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Brief details and contact information.
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test [WA]
  The Tertiary Institutions Service Centre, WA. Only covers Western Australia. Access from main menu.

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• It may be possible to enter a related course with a lower ranking that you can satisfy with existing results. For example :

• it may be possible to take a single, 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 are part of a Science or Computing degree;
• Same course, different university - see Section 2 above.

• For this you need to visit individual University sites for options and to be aware of cut off points for alternate courses that allow possible transfer. Be aware of criteria required if you wish to transfer :

• between degrees at the one university, or
• between universities, and possibly degrees, at a later time,

• These vary between universities, wherever they are in Australia. Access may also rely on available places in courses you seek.

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• Non-Award Courses are 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 if they are offered and what they are called. Different names are used - e.g. UniTrack, Continuing Education, … . Check carefully and ensure you find the scheme under its appropriate title. Also check the Distance Education option below.
• However, provided your results across subjects are a suitable standard [suggested Credit or above], then transition to a degree course with credit for courses covered should be possible, provided there are available course places.
• One factor you need to consider is the course costs and whether you are able to find financial support such as HECS-HELP and Austudy.
• This is not an easy option to gain entry. You will have to work hard and achieve well in order to gain access.

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• Numerous universities have distance courses. Check individual Universities to see who does and what courses are offered. Some have many courses, others on a restricted basis.
• Another option is Open Universities Australia, offering undergraduate & graduate units for courses at universities in their consortium. There are extra features - start in any of four study periods, work for a degree or just for pleasure, resource formats, … .
• Be aware, this is not an easy option.
• Importantly, you must handle working in relative isolation, unless you are fortunate to have others nearby. You may also be involved in some level of employment.
• Doing courses online or by other distance methods has positives and negatives.Try this easy Distance Learning Quiz to check your suitability [with links to other resources], watch a YouTube video from Charles Sturt University, or see a Distance Education Summary from Going to Uni for more information on what is involved. Consider carefully whether you are suited to this learning method before starting.
• Having used this method, 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.

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• TAFEs, Institutes of Technology, Polytechnics and Education Departments now have vocational courses. Some results may assist in transferring to a university setting. There are limitations on areas where these apply and whether accepted by universities in relation to specific courses. Note, there is a University Credit Transfer Scheme allowing credit for work done if you can gain entry. There are 3 main steps when considering this option :

• check TAFE Colleges and other institutions, to find courses that are suitable and available. One example can be seen at TAFE NSW;
• check with individual Universities to see if they accept these and what courses are accepted;
• apply for credit then transfer into a degree course at the chosen university.

• This is not an easy option for gaining entry. You will 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 gaining credit or access. It may also depend on available course places.

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• There are two groups of private providers.

• Those linked directly to universities;
• Those that aren’t, even though some 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 is undoubtedly easier as universities have control.
• For those that are not, you are in a similar position to that with the TAFE Colleges. You are directed to the information given in the section above for a recommended approach. Contact some private providers through this page.
• This is not an easy option for gaining entry. You will 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 gaining credit or access. It may also depend on available course places.

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• Most universities and some vocational centres, have Preparation Programs or Certificates preparing you for entry to university. Check financial support options when considering this option.
• Almost anyone can apply for enrolment. This is one positive.
• Courses attract direct fees. This is a 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 entitlement is before choosing this option.

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• One Final Option, is to return to school and do the final year and examination again.
• This is not a popular option. Many who return do so for other reasons. Statistics suggest less than 30% of returning students gain significant improvement.
  A significant percentage actually do worse than before.
• There are many reasons for this :

• some 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 up to cover this;
• you are with a different, younger cohort of students often with different interests, who may not make you fully welcome;
• expectations are high that you will do better, 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. If you 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. Each will respond in relation your commitment. There is 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 should achieve your maximum. Time Management skills will help. Most involve common sense, not just intelligence, but they do require commitment.

• In many ways, this is the least desirable option because of the above.
• It is the case — especially so for anyone who left secondary school other than at the end of the previous year. A preferable option for such people may be through the TAFE system.
• It is, however, a possible option for those committed enough.

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