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.
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Other entry options
Educational Access Scheme (EAS): Institutions use this to take into account the educational disadvantages many applicants experience (eg financial hardship, illness, severe family disruption). 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. 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:
- AIE Institute
- Australian Catholic University
- Australian College of Physical Education
- Charles Sturt University
- International College of Management, Sydney
- Macquarie University
- National Art School
- SAE University College
- Torrens University Australia
- University of Canberra
- University of New England
- University of Newcastle
- University of Notre Dame Australia
- University of Technology Sydney
- Western Sydney University.
These institutions use one or more of the following assessment criteria:
- Year 11 studies
- school’s rating of your aptitudes
- Educational Access Scheme (EAS) application
- ATAR
- other institution-specific requirements (eg course prerequisites, interview, portfolio).
Applications are processed by UAC and close 16 September 2024.
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| How to apply | Apply online via the AIE Institute website. |
ACU Guarantee
| Important dates |
Offers for the following courses will not be made until offer round 2:
Important information for ACT applicants: Due to a delay in receiving ACT Year 11 results you are unlikely to receive an offer until offer round 3. The outcome of your application will not be affected. |
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| Assessment criteria | To be eligible you must be a 2024 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 Entry Scheme
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Priority Entry Scheme
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Direct application early admission
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Charles Sturt Advantage
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Early Entry
| Important date | 20 Sep 2024 (extended): Applications close |
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Leadership Entry Program
| Important date | 31 Jan 2025: Applications close |
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Elite Athlete and Performer Entry Program
| Important date | 31 Jan 2025: Applications close |
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| How to apply |
Aspire Community Contribution
Our Aspire Community Contribution Program rewards your involvement in community, leadership and volunteering with an early conditional offer into your chosen course at La Trobe.
Visit the La Trobe University website for further information about the Aspire program, including 2025 selection criteria and dates.
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| Assessment criteria | Two 100-word descriptions of involvement in and impact of your community engagement and/or volunteering. |
| How to apply | Apply online via La Trobe University website. |
Aspire Year 11 Conditional Entry
The Year 11 Conditional Entry program uses your performance in Year 11 to secure an early conditional offer into a range of La Trobe courses.
Visit the La Trobe University website for further information about the Aspire program, including 2025 selection criteria and dates.
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| How to apply | Apply online via La Trobe University website. |
Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme
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| 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 schooling successfully including Year 12 examinations (or assessments as determined by NESA or their state education body) or an International Baccalaureate Diploma in 2024. |
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Early Offer
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Early Entry Program
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| Assessment criteria | Standard course admission criteria |
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UC Early Offer Scheme
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Early Entry Direct
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UNE Early Entry Offers will be made in 2 rounds: Round 1
Round 2
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| Assessment criteria | Your school/TAFE 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. All direct Early Entry offers will assume that applicants will complete all requirements of their 2024 Australian Year 12 qualification (or an equivalent program via TAFE). |
| How to apply | Apply online via the UNE Early Entry application. Ensure any additional supporting documentation is attached. Your application will be sent electronically to your school for the principal’s review. In order for your application to be considered, your school needs to approve and submit the application to UNE on your behalf before the closing date. |
Early Entry Program
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For more details, refer to the University of Newcastle Early Entry Program FAQs. |
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| Assessment criteria | Strong performance in Year 11 Open to domestic Year 12 students completing one of the following qualifications in 2024:
Applicants must be undertaking a pattern of study that indicates they are eligible for an ATAR in Year 12. |
| How to apply | Submit a direct application via the University of Newcastle website. |
Indigenous and Refugee Law Early Entry Scheme
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| How to apply | List 483100 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined as a UAC preference. |
Early Offer Program
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Gadigal Program
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| How to apply | Complete your UAC undergraduate application, ensuring you self-identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, then put at least one University of Sydney course in your UAC preference list |
Creative Arts Special Admissions Scheme
| Important dates | For University of Sydney Visual Arts pathway For University of Sydney Music pathways Audition and interviews dates are as follows: Music Theatre round: 28 Sep (call-back only) December Round for PGs: 2-3 Dec 2024 |
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| How to apply | Complete your UAC undergraduate application by the relevant August Round 1 or October Round 1 deadline and list your chosen degree as your highest eligible preference. |
UTS Early Entry Program
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Early Admission
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UNSW Gateway Admission Pathway
The Gateway Admission Pathway is an alternative pathway to UNSW which considers more than just your ATAR. It offers early entry to UNSW or a significantly lower ATAR entry requirement for a range of degrees.
| Important dates | Round 1
Round 2
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| Assessment criteria | To be eligible for the Gateway Admission Pathway, you must:
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HSC True Reward
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| Assessment criteria | HSC True Reward offers are made based on Year 11 and/or Year 12 results. Depending on the undergraduate degree you choose, you need to meet a specified HSC band outcome in nominated courses. Some degrees are excluded from this program. Some conditions do apply. Visit the HSC True Reward website for more details. |
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