News

Dreaming of uni in 2024? All semester 1 courses now available

14 Aug 2023

Details of all semester 1, 2024 courses offered by UAC’s participating institutions are now available, so it's a perfect time to get started on your UAC application if you haven't already. Remember, if you apply before 29 September, you’ll avoid a significant increase in the application fee.

Once you've submitted your UAC application you can:

  • change your course preferences as many times as you like for free, so don't worry if you’re not 100% sure what you want to study next year
  • apply for an early offer through the Schools Recommendation Scheme if you're in Year 12 this year (applications close 18 September)
  • have any educational disadvantages taken into account through the Educational Access Scheme
  • apply for an Equity Scholarship if you're financially disadvantaged.

If you’ve already applied, log in to your application, browse the full list of courses, review your existing course preferences and update them as you please.

Dates for your calendar

Date Action
18 Sep Schools Recommendation Scheme applications close (for Year 12 students)
29 Sep Early bird fee deadline – significant increase to application processing charge after this date
23 Nov Educational Access Scheme application and document deadline to have them considered in December Round 2
14 Dec 2023 NSW and ACT ATARs released on this website
21 Dec December Round 2 offers released – first offers made to Year 12 students based on ATARs

Application tips for Year 12 students

Apply for an early offer: Most institutions give you the opportunity to have your application for some courses assessed using criteria other than (or in addition to) your ATAR. For example, they might look at your Year 11 results. Many use the Schools Recommendation Scheme (administered by UAC) to do this; others require you to apply directly to the uni. Always check the institution websites to make sure the courses you are applying for are covered by these schemes. How to apply for early offer schemes.

Have your educational disadvantages considered: Institutions use the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) to take account of the educational disadvantages many applicants experience. If you think this might apply to you, make sure you complete the EAS section of your UAC application and claim all the disadvantages that have affected your studies. How to apply for EAS.

Have a back-up plan: UAC always recommends that, when you choose your course preferences, you include a 'back-up' course; that is, a course you are confident you'll be offered a place in and will be happy to study if you miss out on offers for your higher preferences. For example, you could include a diploma course in a similar area of study as your preferred degree course. You could then use your diploma studies as a stepping stone to the degree: you may even be able to move straight into second year. Pathways to uni.

Not sure which uni course to apply for? Try Course Compass.

Tips for post-school applicants

Don't worry about your age: Entry to university as a post-school applicant is based on your results for Year 12 studies, the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), tertiary courses you have commenced or completed and, in some cases, your work experience. It is not based on your age.

Provide details of your previous study experience: It is important to provide details of previous study in your UAC application, including all completed secondary studies and complete or incomplete tertiary study (Certificate III and above).

Ask for help: You might be concerned about returning to study if it’s been a long time since you left school. Rest assured that there is a wide range of services available at all our participating institutions.

Explore your options as a post-school applicant