Over the last couple of weeks the news has been reporting on all of the jobs being lost at universities in WA due to COVID 19 impacts. The unis are all working like crazy trying to attract local students and they are making it easier and easier to get in next year.
Preparation Courses
You can get into uni in Western Australia by doing a university preparation course. Most universities have at least one of these on offer.
After doing the course you may be offered a place at uni, which you don’t have to accept.
- They are generally free.
- You may be able to complete one before the start of the 2021 academic year.
- You find out about a range of different courses that may interest you.
- They are generally a semester long so you can start your degree in Semester 2.
- You learn about university life without having the pressure of a full degree program.
Although each course is different there are usually 4 subject like….
- Academic Writing
- Communication Skills
- Essential Maths
- Research Skills and Information Literacy
UWA
ATAR-based entry
Normal ATAR entry through TISC applications will be the standard entry pathway for 2021. Find details HERE.
UWAY
UWAY – This is an alternative entry pathway and comprehensive support program for students completing Year 12 under challenging circumstances.
The program provides academic, financial and personal support, and it is responsive to individual student needs, throughout their final year of secondary school and during their university studies. You can apply for alternative entry to an undergraduate degree course through UWay if your academic achievements have been adversely affected by certain disadvantages.
Fairway
Fairway UWA is an admission entry pathway and comprehensive support program for students completing Year 12 under challenging circumstances. The program provides academic, financial and personal support, and it is responsive to individual student needs, throughout their final year of secondary school and during their university studies.
Find details HERE.
Broadway
The Broadway scheme allows eligible students from a Broadway-identified Western Australian school to receive an automated ATAR adjustment if the school at which they completed their final WACE examinations:
- is identified as a Broadway school in their year of application or
- was identified as a Broadway school in the year the student completed their WACE
Find details HERE.
Predicted ATAR entry
UWA will provide an offer based on a student’s predicted ATAR from the end of Year 11. We may require a diagnostic interview to identify any additional support that may be required, including bridging units, once they arrive at UWA. At this stage Year 12 students must still sit their Year 12 exams and, when results are released, if their ATAR is higher than their predicted ATAR, they can update their application if they’d like to change their course. Find details HERE.
First in Family
If you have received an ATAR of 75-79.95 and will be the first in your family to attend university, you may still be eligible for a place at UWA. If you have a sibling at uni you are still eligible for First in Family consideration.
Find details HERE
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
In recognition of the unique set of challenges Year 12 students are facing this year, 18 and 19-year-old students who are taking insufficient ATAR-based subjects or are not taking ATAR, will be eligible to sit the STAT test and a diagnostic interview as above.
The Predicted ATAR entry pathway is not applicable for Direct Pathways to Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Podiatry. The STAT test pathway is not available for any Direct Pathways or the Bachelor of Philosophy. The application process for these courses will be communicated shortly.
Find details HERE.
Diploma Entry
Applicants who have a VET Diploma can apply for entry to an undergraduate course. Find details HERE.
Indigenous Study Pathways
Did you know Indigenous students can gain entry to UWA without an ATAR? There are various pathways for gaining entry to UWA, and once you’re here, there is great support to help you settle in. Learn more about the Aboriginal Orientation Course and the Provisional Entry Scheme. Find details HERE.
UWA Foundation Program for International Students
The UWA Foundation Program is the most effective path to a place at UWA for international students. Successful completion of the program guarantees entry to an undergraduate degree, subject to any quotas or prerequisites.
Find details HERE
Auditions for Conservatorium
You can apply for the conservatorium through an audition. Find details HERE.
Notre Dame
Tertiary Pathway Program
The Tertiary Pathway Program at Notre Dame is for people who did NOT do ATAR, or who didn’t get the required cut off score.
NEW
This year, high-achieving non-ATAR students will be able to apply for the Tertiary Pathway Program.
It is a 13-week program which you apply for directly to Notre Dame.
Applicants need to be able to demonstrate good English language skills to be offered a place.
ECU
UniPrep & UniPrep (Education Assistant Program is a 6 month full time course or 12 months part time.
School leavers must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved their WACE and meet ECU’s English Competency Requirements.
School leavers who wait until semester 2 to apply will be classified as Non School Leavers and will need to demonstrate how they meet ECU’s English Competency Requirements.
Edith Cowan College offers courses that can result in entry to second year of ECU’s Bachelor Degree program
Curtin University
Normal ATAR Entry
If you apply to TISC before 1 October with Curtin as your first preference, and you receive and accept an offer from us, we’ll refund your application fee of $55.
To find more information go HERE
STAT Test
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) provides an admission pathway to university if you don’t hold other qualifications that are acceptable for entry. It’s a test designed to assess aptitude for learning at tertiary level.
For more information go HERE.
UniReady
Curtin UniReady program is now the most open offering in WA. Year 12s apply through TISC and they don’t need ATAR, or English or WACE to apply.
Curtin has capped numbers so applicants are ranked according to equity conditions that contributed to educational disadvantage. Applicants are then ranked according to when they applied.
You can check out Curtin pathways HERE.
Curtin College
Curtin College is a bit like a TAFE. It is on the Curtin campus in Bentley and offers a range of courses that either prepare you for uni or give you credits towards a degree.
You can find out more HERE.
Science, Engineering and Health Enabling
Enabling Course in Science, Engineering and Health Completion of this program will meet relatively higher entry requirements and subject prerequisites too.
Portfolio Entry
Portfolio Entry is not only for the creative courses; it is applicable to courses like Education, Science, Commerce and Health.
Indigenous Enabling Course
If you’re of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and you haven’t met the requirements for an undergraduate (degree) course, we offer a range of enabling courses. These short programs can help you meet the requirements for your chosen course, as well as equip you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed at university.
- Indigenous Tertiary Enabling Course
- Indigenous Pre-Medicine and Health Sciences Enabling Course
- Indigenous Pre-Business and Law Enabling Course
- Indigenous Pre-Science and Engineering Course
- Other enabling courses at Curtin
Find more information HERE.
StepUp to Curtin
Not everyone has the same opportunities to achieve their true academic potential. You may have the ability to succeed at university but not had the educational, financial or social opportunities to focus on your studies and achieve a high enough Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for entry.
Find more information HERE.
TAFE (VET) Entry
Graduating from TAFE can qualify you for entry to Curtin, so many students who didn’t successfully complete year 12 use it as a stepping stone to university.
Some courses also provide credits at university.
Find more information HERE.
Murdoch University
HorizonPlus
If you are finishing Year 12 in 2020 and aiming to start university in 2021, then HorizonsPlus could be for you. This program provides an entry pathway into Murdoch.
On Track Sprint
On Track Sprint is a 4 week course run over the Christmas holidays. It is going to be a TISC option for 2021 selections. The course prepares you for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
On Track
On Track is a 14 week course that prepares students for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70. It is FREE.
FlexiTrack
FlexiTrack– can be done over 1 semester, accelerated 10 weeks, or 2 semesters at part time and this is entirely online.
Law Start
Law Start is an admission pathway for academically capable students who wish to study Law at Murdoch University. To be eligible to apply you must have completed one or more ATAR subjects with a strong focus on communication and essay writing skills. Acceptable subjects will include but not limited to English, English Literature, Modern History, Politics and Legal Studies.
TIC10
TLC10 – prepares students to apply for Murdoch through a 1 day per week course that runs all year in Mandurah and Rockingham.
Portfolio
Portfolio Entry – you can gain entry to courses that rely on creative talent in media, games art and design and creative writing, photography and web communication via a portfolio demonstrating your work + a number of hoops like WACE and English competence. You also need a letter of endorsement from a teacher and a 500 word application – which a school based career advisor can help you to write.
For Portfolio entry try the Domestic Admissions Team on 9360 7458 or send an email by following this link
KTrack
KTrack – is offered through our Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre and is open to students who identify with the ATSI community.
Email info@murdochinstitute.wa.edu.au for information.
And if anyone has any questions, the best contact for them to reach out to now is study@murdoch.edu.au or 1300 687 3624
| Enabling pathway | Fee-free | On campus | Online | Flexible study | English competency required | WACE/ ATAR required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OnTrack | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | |
| FlexiTrack | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| FlexiTrack High | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| OnTrack Sprint | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| TLC110 – Learning for tomorrow | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | |
| K-Track | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Waardong | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Pre-Law | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Media Portfolio | No | No | No | No | Yes | |
| Murdoch University Preparation Course | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| MIT Foundation Studies Course | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
In addition to the table that Murdoch has put up that collates their alternative entry programs they also said:
- Certificate IV + demonstration of English competency is emerging as a popular alternative pathway to ATAR entry.
Central Queensland University
STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies)
This program is tailored to help you meet entry requirements or boost your confidence.
It usually takes between 1 and 2 terms to complete (4 to 8 months). It can be completed online or on-campus.
Subscribe to the In Focus Careers Newsletter
West Australian teachers and youth workers save time and improve their services by subscribing to the In Focus Careers newsletter.
For a complimentary copy email me at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au