Courses FAQs
Information for semester 1, 2012 admissions
There are over than 1,250 courses available across 16 institutions. Start your search here.
- What should I do before I apply?
- Am I eligible to apply?
To be eligible to be considered for a course you must:
- meet the admission requirements of the institution offering the course and
- meet the entrance requirements of the course – some courses have course prerequisites or additional selection criteria.
Additional selection criteria can be found in the course descriptions available through the course search.
- What are my chances of being selected for the course?
Choose courses that you're interested in but you should also consider your realistic chances of getting into the course. Choosing something that you're good at and interested in is the first step towards doing well at university.
The course search shows the cut-offs required by International Year 12 applicants for entry into each course in 2011. You can use these cut-offs as a guide when considering your chances of being selected.
Note: The cut-offs for 2012 won’t be known until selection is actually made during the offer rounds as the cut-offs are determined by a number of factors.
- How do I apply for courses through UAC?
All eligible applicants apply online.
- What should I remember when entering my courses?
In the course search some institutions show the ATAR or equivalent cut-offs required by international Year 12 applicants for entry into each course in 2011. Use these cut-offs as a guide when considering your courses. Remember that the cut-offs indicate the lowest ATAR or equivalent accepted for entry into the course – they don't represent the average ability of the students accepted for the course.
You must also make sure that the course/s you select are offered in the semester you wish to start studying. Read the course descriptions available through the
course search to determine the intake/semester in which courses are offered.
- How many courses can I include?
You can choose up to six courses. If you're interested in only one course, then enter only that course.
If you're interested in several courses, enter the course codes in order of preference up to the maximum of six courses.
Remember: You can only include the courses listed in the course search. Check the course updates for up-to-date lists of new and cancelled courses.
- Does the order in which I list my courses matter?
Yes, put your courses in the order you'd most like them to be considered. Put the course you'd most like to do first, then the course you'd next prefer to do, and so on.
Institutions use a preference-based offer system. This means that if you've listed more than one course for an institution, your courses for that institution will be considered in the order in which you've listed them.
For each institution you include in your application, you may receive only one offer in each offer run. However, each institution considers your application separately. This means that if you include more than one institution in your application, you may receive more than one offer in each offer run.
For example: Applicant A lists 6 courses, all for the University of Western Sydney. In each offer run, Applicant A may receive only one offer – to the highest course listed for which Applicant A is eligible and competitive enough.
Applicant B lists 6 courses, three for Southern Cross University and three for the University of New England. In each offer run, Applicant B may receive 2 offers – one to the highest course listed at Southern Cross University for which Applicant B is eligible and competitive enough and one to the highest course listed at the University of New England for which Applicant B is eligible and competitive enough.
If you're not selected for your first course you'll be considered equally with all other eligible applicants for your second course preference and so on.
- Are all my courses given equal consideration?
Yes. If you're not selected for your first course, you'll be considered equally with all other eligible applicants for your second course and so on. Your chance of being selected for a particular course isn't decreased because you placed that course as a lower order preference. You won't be selected for a course just because you entered that course as a higher order preference.
Note: In some offer runs, only the course you list at a particular institution will be considered. For more information about offer runs read the offers FAQs.
- How do I change my courses?
You can add, delete, or change the order of your courses using Check & Change.
First, read the closing dates listed in the course search, then follow the instructions in Check & Change. There is no UAC charge to change your preferences.
You can't change your courses by telephone, letter, fax or email.
- How do I know if my course has additional selection criteria?
A number of courses have additional selection criteria you must meet. Examples of additional selection criteria include an interview, sitting a test or submitting a portfolio. Additional selection criteria can be found in the course descriptions available through the course search.
In addition, the NSW Government has special policies for students in both health-related and teacher education courses.
- How do I pay for my course?
Read fees for more information.
- Do all universities in NSW and the ACT charge the same tuition fees?
No. Tuition fees will vary from institution to institution. Tuition fees also differ between courses. Contact the relevant institution to find out the exact cost of your chosen course.
- What is included in the course fees?
The amounts listed in the course descriptions are for one year of full-time study. The fees don't include any expenses such as the cost of books, stationery, meals, accommodation and transport.
- Are all tuition fees fixed?
Some institutions guarantee set fees for the duration of the course. Other institutions increase course fees each year to cover the cost-of-living increases in Australia.
- Can I apply for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) course if I am an international student?
No. CSP courses are only available to domestic students; that is, Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents. International fee-paying (IFEE) courses are only available on a full-time basis.
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