News from our institutions – December 2024

ACAP is now a university college

The Australian College of Applied Professions has been recognised as a university college by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. The independent higher education provider is now known as ACAP University College, specialising in delivering accredited courses in psychology, counselling, coaching, criminology, social work, law, and leadership (MBA). Find out more about the change to ACAP University College.

Register for campus tours

ACU will be running additional campus tours for Year 12 students across its NSW and ACT campuses.

• ACU NSW campus tours: Tue 17 Dec and Wed 18 Dec | 10am, 11am, 12pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm
• ACU ACT campus tours: Tue 17 Dec | 1pm and 4pm
  

Change of preference advice

Careers advisers and their students can receive course advice during the change of preference period via the AskACU team on 1300 275 228. From 2 Dec until 24 Dec, AskACU will be providing extended phone support from 8am to 6pm. The AskACU team will finish at 1pm on Christmas Eve. Extended hours will return from 2 Jan until 28 Feb 2025.

Advisory Conference 2025

Save the date for the Advisory Conference, which offers career advisers, principals and final year coordinators information about new developments at ACU. Invitations will be sent in the new year.

• ACT Advisory Conference: Thu 20 Mar 2025
• NSW Advisory Conference: Fri 28 Mar 2025 | Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub

Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways

Completing a Certificate III along with Year 12 studies converts to a selection rank of 67, which could be a great non-ATAR pathway option for some students. Plus, applications are submitted via UAC, which means applicants may also be eligible for ACU adjustment factors.

Using a Certificate III for direct entry is only applicable for semester 1, 2025. If students want to take a gap year, they must apply, accept, and then defer their offer. Find out more about ACU VET pathways.

ACU's Western Civilisation Summer School

A free, two-day event for high school students entering Years 11 and 12 in 2025, held Tue 21 Jan to Wed 22 Jan 2025 at ACU North Sydney campus. Register for ACU's Western Civilisation Summer School.

Opportunities for students

• ACPE Experience Day: Thu 19 Dec | Workshops in sports, dance, health and PDHPE education.
• Personal consultations: one-on-one phone consultation or campus tours.
• ACPE scholarships: ACPE offers multiple scholarships to help students succeed in their education journey.
• ACPE Dance Workshop: Thu 19 Dec | Held during the ACPE Experience Day for students who have not done Dance in HSC or equivalent studies.

Applications still open

Applications are still open for semester 1, 2025. Apply via UAC (domestic students only) or apply direct to ACPE (domestic students and onshore international students).

School engagement with Avondale University

Avondale University offers several free activities for schools on campus, or at your school, to help students discover who they are, their passions in life and how they tie into their purpose and profession. Book in your school for a 2025 visit.

Campus tours

Students can book an Avondale campus tour to see the Lake Macquarie or Sydney campus facilities, accommodation and services. Meet current students, staff and lecturers and have all your questions answered.

Change of Preference Online Chat: Fri 13 Dec | 9 to 11am (AEST)

This session is for Year 12 students who didn’t receive the ATAR they were hoping for or have changed their mind about the course they want to study. They can receive guidance on how to change their preferences, entry pathways and study options that will lead them to their dream course. Message the team on the CQUniversity Facebook page.

Excelsia College recognised as a university college

TEQSA has registered Excelsia as a university college. Excelsia College offers higher education programs in business, creative and performing arts, education and counselling. Find out more about the change for Excelsia.

One-on-one chat sessions

Book a one-on-one live chat session with one of Griffith's experts and get personalised advice to help navigate the release of ATARs from 13 to 24 Dec, 8am to 2pm.

Events and workshops for students

• Explore Your Options: Tue 17 Dec to Sat 21 Dec | North Ryde campus
• Open Day: Save the date for Sat 16 Aug 2025.

Campus tours

Book a tour of Macquarie’s Wallumattagal campus in North Ryde.

Personal consults

Book a 30-minute phone or Zoom consultation with one of Macquarie University's student advisers. Ask about Macquarie's courses, get help with understanding entry criteria, or simply find out more about university life.

Register for upcoming events

• Campus tours: Fri 13 Dec | Callaghan, Ourimbah, Central Coast Clinical School, NUspace and Q Building
• ATAR Info Day: Wed 18 Dec, 9am to 5pm

Open Foundation

Open Foundation is a free pathway into uni and offers guaranteed entry into more than 70 degrees at the University of Newcastle upon completion.

NUPrep short courses

NUPrep bridging and refresher courses offer free preparation and support for all students in the weeks leading up to the commencement of each University of Newcastle semester.

New programs

• Diploma in Exercise and Sport Science
• Diploma in Media and Visual Communication

Register for Info Day

• Notre Dame Info Day: Wed 18 Dec, 10am to 3pm | Broadway campus

UAC applications now available for international students

View Notre Dame courses for international students in the UAC course search or view the Notre Dame international student guide for details on programs, scholarships and international admission requirements.

New degrees available in 2025

• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
• Bachelor of Computer Science

• Bachelor of Counselling

New artificial intelligence major

Students can take the major in Bachelor of Arts courses at the Sydney campus.

Register for upcoming events

• University of Sydney Info Day: Wed 18 Dec, 1 to 6pm | Students can attend information sessions, take a campus tour, ask about admission pathways, and have their degree-specific questions answered.
• Info Week: Wed 11 to Wed 18 Dec | Campus tours by area of interest, UAC preferencing webinar and parents' webinar.

New degrees available in 2025

• Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience
• Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation (Taronga)

Options Day: Live Q&A

Register for the University of Wollongong Options Day live-stream event at 4pm 18 Dec to ask questions about ATARs, the UAC offer process, courses, scholarships or enrolment. Students will hear from alumni, current students and academics, and have a chance to win prizes during the broadcast.

Register for upcoming events

• Book a visit from Western to your school: Presentations tailored for Years 10, 11 and 12 about scholarships, early entry, pathways, campus life, the range of courses available and more.
• Careers Advisers' and Teachers' Day 2025: Tue 4 Mar 2025 | Bankstown City campus: An opportunity for careers advisers and teachers from high schools to connect with Western and gather the latest insights on courses, career pathways and industry trends.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Entry Program

Western's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Entry Program is an entry pathway opportunity for Indigenous people wishing to receive an early offer for study in 2025. The next assessment round commences in Jan 2025.

New diploma courses available in 2025

Western’s new suite of modular learning courses aligns to in-demand job industries. Delivered through The College at Western, these courses provide an immersive study experience with no exams or lectures. Study one course-specific subject at a time.

Scholarships

Western offers over 100 scholarships across a variety of categories:

• Indigenous scholarships
• high potential scholarships
• equity scholarships
• humanitarian scholarships (for refugees and asylum seekers).

Browse Western scholarships