20 Dec 2021
Media releases
University preference statistics for 2022 admissions
THE Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) has released a snapshot of applicants’ preferences for study at university in 2022.
The following table shows applicants’ first preferences as at 30 November 2021, however, applicants can change their preferences as often as they wish – and often do – so these numbers change daily.
It is important to note that first preference statistics should be used with caution as an indicator of demand for a particular institution or perceived variations in the quality of institutions.
Year 12 applicants tend to include more preferences than other undergraduate applicants, with many listing the maximum five preferences. In many cases the courses they include as their first and second preferences are ‘wishes’ – courses they would really like to receive an offer for but which, in previous years, had a cut-off higher than the rank they expect to achieve.
Non-Year 12 applicants tend to list fewer than five preferences, often including only two or three preferences in their application. They appear to have more focus, most likely because they have other factors to take into account when selecting their courses – work, family and/or time commitments.
All applicants can change their preferences at any time but most preference changes happen after the release of the ATAR. This year's NSW HSC students will receive their ATARs at 9am on Thursday 20 January 2022. Based on figures from previous years, UAC expects about 20,000 of these students to change their preferences after receiving their ATAR with a realistic appraisal of courses to which they may qualify for admission.
Download preference statistics for 2022 admissions
For further information about these statistics, call individual institutions on the numbers given below.
| University | Contact |
|---|---|
|
Australian Catholic University |
Elisabeth Tarica, Acting National Manager, Strategic Communications |
|
Australian National University |
James Giggacher, Associate Director, Media and Communications |
|
Charles Sturt University |
David Neil, Acting Media Manager |
|
Macquarie University |
Angie Kelly, Acting Media Manager |
|
Southern Cross University |
Sharlene King, Media Officer |
|
University of Canberra |
Media and Communications Team |
|
University of New England |
Milly Taylor, Manager, Business Intelligence & Data Governance |
|
University of Newcastle |
Lou Morrissey, Deputy Director Communications and Media |
|
University of Sydney |
Shehana Darda-Teixeira, Director Media and PR |
|
University of Technology Sydney |
Terry Clinton, Media & PR Officer |
|
University of Wollongong |
Ben Long, Media & Public Relations Manager |
|
UNSW Australia |
Caspian Smith |
|
Western Sydney University |
Amanda Whibley, Manager, Media and Public Relations |
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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.