Equity schemes level the playing field

University admissions equity schemes are a vital part of ensuring fair access to higher education. They are designed to remove barriers that prevent capable students from reaching their full potential.

UAC's Educational Access Scheme (EAS) supports students dealing with circumstances beyond their control, such as financial hardship, a medical condition, difficult personal circumstances, or the impact of natural disasters such as floods.

Alexandra O'Neill from Tamworth (pictured) was encouraged by her Year 11 careers adviser to apply for EAS. Alexandra received consideration for disruption to her schooling in Year 12 because her family moved several times throughout the year. Institutions also took into account her attendance at a school in a rural, regional or remote area.

She is now studying a Bachelor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Canberra. She says she wouldn’t have been able to apply to her uni of choice without this assistance.

‘Choosing where I was going to study would have been limited without this support,’ she said. ‘But I love my course. It’s the perfect course for me and I’m exactly where I want to be.'