Studying a university degree or course is a great way to open up career possibilities, and have more freedom of choice in the workplace. There are a number of ways for students to approach getting into a university, from getting the right exam results at school to undertaking significant work experience.
The most common way of entering university is through achieving the required academic results in year 12. This involves achieving a high enough Overall Position, Enter score, UAI, TER, or TCE to be accepted into the university course of their choice. It is also important to note that some courses have prerequisite subjects for entry, so students applying for university should ensure they choose the right subjects in their last few years of high school.
If a high enough final score and prerequisite subjects are accomplished, students should then get in contact with their state’s Admissions Centre and apply to the university degree or course of their choice. If they meet all the conditions required, they will be able to attend that university course the following year.
Alternative pathways into university
However, it doesn’t always go as smoothly as this. Should you not have achieved a high enough entry score to be eligible for the course you want, there are many options for alternative pathways into a university degree.
Many universities allow full-fee paying students into their courses over HECS students. Whilst this means paying a lot more upfront, it does give you the security of a position in your desired course.
Alternatively, studying at an online university like Open University Australia allows many to study the same degree via an online course. Studying this way can allow students to either complete a full degree, or just the bridging subjects necessary to enroll in their preferred university course the following year.
Another option can be to apply to a less competitive degree at first and complete a year of study in order to upgrade to the university degree of choice. Many students find it is a quite straightforward process, and will only need to pass their subjects in order to upgrade.
Students who have completed part or all of a relevant TAFE course are also welcomed at many universities. Contact the university directly with details of your course to find out if you meet the entry requirements. Not only will a TAFE course help you get onto a degree program, it may cut the time taken to complete the degree as a recognised qualification can count as credits toward a Bachelor degree.
Trained apprentices can also apply for some university courses and see their experience and qualifications count toward a degree. For those who have been working for a while and didn't get the school grades needed for tertiary education, it's never too late; many universities accept significant work experience as credit for prior learning.
Therefore there are many ways to get into a course at university, and it doesn’t have to be the straightforward path from year 12 onwards.