Media releases

Early bird uni applications strong

08 Oct 2021

EARLY bird applications have closed and more than 41,000* NSW and ACT Year 12 students have so far applied for tertiary study in 2022 through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). In addition, more than 20,000 non-Year 12 applicants applied for university. A breakdown of applicant numbers is below.

While these numbers are down around 4 per cent on last year, many students have also applied directly to individual universities for study next year to maximise their chances of receiving an offer. UAC has processed another 79,000^of these applications on behalf of individual universities#. This is a significant increase of 31 per cent on the same time last year.

This brings the total number of undergraduate applications processed by UAC to 145,984.

In addition, the early offer Schools Recommendation Scheme, which closed on 19 September, received 25,478 applications, an increase of 8 per cent, and the Educational Access Scheme has received 21,928 applications so far this year.

There’s still time to apply for tertiary study, however, applications for semester 1, 2022 are open until Friday 4 February 2022.

Applicants can apply on UAC’s website.

Applications for 2022 admissions at 30 September 2021

Applicant typeApplications for 2022 admissions

Current NSW Year 12 students

39,949

Current ACT Year 12 students

1,896

Current interstate and IB Year 12 students

4,139

Non-Year 12 applicants

20,638

Direct applications through UAC

79,362

Total applications145,984

A breakdown of application statistics for this admissions period so far can be found on UAC's website.

*These figures do not include international applications.

^Applicants may apply directly to several universities so this figure is not the count of unique applicants, but the number of applications received.

#UAC processes direct applications on behalf of Australian Catholic University, Australian College of Physical Education, Australian National University, CQUniversity, Charles Sturt University, Macquarie University, University of Newcastle, University of New England, University of Technology Sydney, University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University.

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For further information (media only) email media@uac.edu.au or contact:
Diane Jardine, Communications Coordinator, UAC on 0436 459 603, or
Kim Paino, General Manager, Marketing and Engagement, UAC on 0409 155 112.