Undergraduate applications and offers
Early offer schemes for Year 12 students
While the ATAR is still the main selection tool used by most unis, there are other ways for you to show that you’re ready to succeed at tertiary study.
Many institutions have one or more early offer schemes for Year 12 students. Through these schemes, the institutions will assess you using criteria other than (or in addition to) your ATAR. Always check the institution websites to make sure the courses you are applying for are covered by the schemes.
Listed below are the key dates, assessment criteria and application details for the available early offer schemes.
Other entry options
Educational Access Scheme (EAS): Institutions use this to take into account the educational disadvantages many applicants experience. If you think this might apply to you, make sure you complete an EAS application and claim all the disadvantages that have affected your studies. We’ve added categories to help applicants who’ve been affected by a natural disaster, such as a bushfire, and those whose parents/guardians have been receiving JobSeeker or JobKeeper for at least three months. How to apply for EAS.
Pathway courses: If you successfully complete a non-degree course, such as foundation studies, a preparatory course, or a certificate or diploma, a university may guarantee you entry into a degree. Otherwise, you can use your non-degree studies to apply and compete for admission to other degree courses. You may also be awarded credit for studies undertaken in your non-degree course. Some unis offer an even larger range of prep courses to help you move into your degree. Contact the individual institutions to get the most up-to-date information. Other pathways to uni.
The following institutions will make early offers to Year 12 students through the Schools Recommendation Scheme:
- Australian Catholic University
- Charles Sturt University
- International College of Management, Sydney
- Macquarie University
- National Art School
- SAE Creative Media Institute
- University of Canberra
- University of New England
- University of Newcastle
- University of Sydney
- University of Technology Sydney
- UNSW Sydney
- Western Sydney University.
These institutions use one or more of the following assessment criteria:
- Year 11 studies
- school’s rating of your aptitudes
- Education Access Scheme (EAS) application
- ATAR.
Applications are processed by UAC and close 19 September 2021.
ACU Guarantee
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Assessment criteria | To be eligible you must be a 2021 Year 12 student (domestic or international) who completed Year 11 (including the IB) in Australia. You need to have successfully completed Year 11. You can also choose to supply a brief statement outlining your personal circumstances and motivation for university study, which may help improve your selection rank. | |
How to apply | Apply online via the ACU website.
After you submit your application, you’ll receive an email detailing what to do next. |
Early Acceptance Program
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Direct application early admission
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Charles Sturt Advantage
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Early Entry
Important date | 10 Sep 2021: Applications close |
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Leadership Entry Program
Important date | 4 Feb 2022: Applications close |
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Elite Athlete/Performer Entry
Important date | 4 Feb 2022: Applications close |
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Aspire
Aspire is an initiative for undergraduate school leavers and non-Year 12 students. The program recognises the positive impact you’ve had on your community when assessing your application to study with us and rewards you with a conditional offer into a La Trobe degree as early as September.
If you’re in Year 12, you’ll also be invited to be part of an exciting enrichment program designed to give you a head start with your university studies.
Visit the La Trobe University website for further information about the Aspire program, including 2022 selection criteria and dates.
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| Assessment criteria | Two 200–word descriptions of involvement in and impact of your community engagement and/or volunteering. |
| How to apply | Apply online via La Trobe University website. |
Macquarie Leaders and Achievers
Important dates | 1 Jun: Applications open |
Assessment criteria | Applicants need to demonstrate their leadership qualities and/or how they have contributed towards positive change in their community and consistently achieved good results at school. There are two selection components:
Note that applicants for the Bachelor of Marketing and Media and the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and its double degrees are required to have undertaken specific English and/or mathematics subjects in the HSC, ACT Senior Secondary Certificate or International Baccalaureate. Applicants for teaching courses need to complete and pass a survey before an offer is made.All applicants must complete their Year 12 examinations (10 units of HSC courses, including at least 8 units from Category A courses and 2 units of English) or comparable ACT Senior Secondary Certificate or International Baccalaureate subjects. |
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STAR Early Offer
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Early Entry Program
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Assessment criteria | Standard course admission criteria |
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Early Entry Direct
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Assessment criteria | Your school’s assessment of your attributes and abilities. The assessment is based around your ability to work and learn independently, as well as your overall potential for academic success at UNE. |
How to apply | Apply online via the UNE Early Entry website. Ensure any additional supporting documentation is attached. Your application will be sent electronically to your school for the principal’s review. Your school will approve and submit the application to UNE on your behalf before the closing date. |
Indigenous and Refugee Law Early Entry Program
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How to apply | List 483100 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined as a UAC preference. |
Year 12 Subject Spotlight
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Assessment criteria | Strong performance in one or more subjects related to your degree. View requirements for each degree on the University of Newcastle website. |
How to apply | Just apply through UAC. No separate application is required. |
Early Offer Program
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E12 (via SRS application)
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Tip: If a student’s residential address lies within the lowest 25% of the SEIFA index, they will receive an email to this effect the day after they complete their UAC application for undergraduate admission. They will then know if they have met this criteria. |
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UTS Early Entry Program
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Assessment criteria | Year 11 results |
How to apply | Apply online via the University of Technology website from 10 Aug. |
UTS Engineering and IT Early Entry Program – Edge
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How to apply | Apply online via the University of Technology website from 10 Aug. |
Early Admission
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UNSW Gateway Early Conditional Offer Scheme
This scheme will be offered under the Schools Recommendation Scheme for 2022 admission.
HSC True Reward
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Assessment criteria | HSC True Reward offers are made based on Year 11 and/or Year 12 results. Some conditions do apply. Visit the HSC True Reward website for more details. A small number of courses are excluded from the 2022 True Reward program due to additional selection criteria and capped placements. |
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