UAC News - May 2018

Admissions 2018-19

UAC is gearing up for the opening of the 2018–19 admissions period in August.

Applications for undergraduate study will open on Wednesday 1 August. Encourage your Year 12 students to apply before early bird applications close at midnight on Friday 28 September to avoid a jump in the application charge, even if they’re not sure of what course they want to study.

The key dates for admissions this year are below. Mark these in your diary.

Key dates

Applications

Applications open – Wednesday 1 August
Early bird applications close – Friday 28 September
Applications close for semester 1, 2019 – Friday 8 February 2019

Year 12 results and ATARs released

HSC results released by NESA – Thursday 13 December
ATARs released by UAC – Friday 14 December

Main offer rounds for Year 12 students

December Round 2 – Thursday 20 December
January Round 1 – Friday 11 January 2019

Educational Access Schemes

Applications open – Wednesday 1 August
EAS eligibility letters release commences – Tuesday 13 November
Last date to apply to receive letter before December Round 2 – Friday 23 November

Equity Scholarships

Applications open – Wednesday 1 August
Most Year 12 applicants’ offers made – Friday 21 December and Saturday 12 January 2019

Schools Recommendation Schemes

Applications open – Wednesday 1 August
Applications close – Friday 28 September

The truth about the ATAR

There’s been lots of media attention on the ATAR recently and not all of the commentary has been accurate and well-informed.

Dr Rod Yager, Chair of the Technical Committee on Scaling, which is responsible for calculating ATARs, says recent commentary overlooks evidence that students who choose the more demanding maths and English options get higher ATARs than those who choose the easier options.

For instance, looking at students who were placed in the 80th percentile in the 2013 NAPLAN numeracy tests, the students from this percentile group who went on to study Mathematics in the HSC had an average scaled score of 60.3 across their other subjects. The students from the same percentile group who chose to study Mathematics General had an average scaled score of 55.7 across their other subjects. The same phenomenon occurs with the 2013 NAPLAN literacy scores and choice of English subject.

Dr Yager believes this illustrates that there are many factors which are far more important in determining student success than subject choice. ‘The support and encouragement that students receive from their teachers, schools and families to pursue the more demanding options, together with their own desire to be challenged and well prepared for their future, are the real keys to better outcomes.’

We've released a lot of information to the media in the last few weeks, and you can see all our media releases on UAC's website.

For accurate information about the ATAR, visit UAC’s website or contact UAC.

Transparency

A reminder that new transparency measures are being implemented for the coming admissions year. This means that all universities and admissions centres across Australia will adopt a standard approach when providing information to students about admissions criteria and processes.

You’ll see that certain terms will be changed, the most notable being:

• ‘bonus points’ will be replaced by ‘adjustment factors’
• ‘course ‘cut-off’ will be replaced with lowest selection rank.

You'll also see changes in how course information is presented. Universities will also be required to publish the minimum, median and top ATAR mark (without any adjustments) of an applicant to whom an offer of a place was made, as well as the minimum, median and top selection rank (including any adjustment factors) of an applicant to whom an offer of a place was made.

You'll see these measures adopted in all UAC publications, on UAC’s website, including in the course descriptions and the UAC app.

EAS is going online

For this first time this year, Educational Access Schemes applications are going online and will become part of an applicant’s UAC application.

Once applicants have submitted their undergraduate application, they’ll have the option to immediately access the EAS application via the ‘Apply for EAS’ button, or they can log back in to their undergraduate application at any time and apply for EAS.

Applicants will be able to download the necessary forms, including the educational impact statement form, and then upload their completed application when done.

University entry requirements for Year 10 students

You would by now have received your complimentary copies of University Entry Requirements 2020 for Year 10 Students. You can download an e-version from our website or buy more hardcopies from our online shop for $7.50, plus postage and handling.

We’ve also put together a handy flyer to provide to your students and parents, Top 10 Tips for Choosing HSC Courses.

UMAT (Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test) registration reminder

UMAT is used specifically to help with the selection of students into medicine, dentistry and some health science degree programs at undergraduate level.

The test assesses general attributes and skills gained through prior experience and learning, such as critical thinking and problem solving, interactions with others, and abstract non-verbal reasoning.

UMAT is only held once a year and a reminder that registrations close on 1 June 2018. UMAT will be held on 25 July 2018.

For more information, visit the UMAT website or call (03) 8508 7643.

2020 Admission are opening early

Admissions for 2020 will open in March/April 2019 to accommodate university trimesters and early entry schemes. More information will be available closer to the time.

UAC Information days for CAA members

UAC Days are free professional development days for careers advisers, year advisers and other staff who advise students in Years 10, 11 and 12 about subject selection, the ATAR and applying to uni.

This year these sessions are being held in conjunction with the Careers Advisers Association of NSW & ACT and are NESA accredited. The morning session explores the calculation of the ATAR and strengthens your understanding of the scaling tables through practical exercises and discussion. The afternoon session provides an opportunity to work through case studies covering aspects of the UAC process. Morning tea and lunch are provided. You will need to register for There are two sessions:

For new careers advisers: Friday 8 June, Aerial UTS function Centre.

For experienced advisers: Friday 22 June, Aerial UTS function Centre.

UAC’S coming to an expo near you

UAC’s Community Engagement team has grown and this year we’re attending more expos, events and info days around NSW than ever and make sure your students come and see us for information on the ATAR and uni entry. See our Schools Event page for details.

If your school in the Sydney metro area, we will be holding two daily info sessions at the HSC and Careers Expo at Moore Park (31 May–3 June) and the Western Sydney Careers Expo at Sydney Olympic Park (28 June –1 July). This is a great opportunity for your students to engage with us.

New to our program is a session on Medicine entry called ‘So you want to be a doctor’. Come hear us talk about entry into this high-profile degree for both undergraduate and postgraduate entry. We will have a panel of university reps here to discuss the many pathways and answer any questions you may have.

Session dates and times are below.

HSC and careers expo

Thursday 31 May and Friday 1 June

10.15 The ATAR and Applying to Uni for Year 11/12 students / The ATAR and Subject selection for Year 10 students
1.15 The ATAR and Applying to Uni for Year 11/12 students / The ATAR and Subject selection for Year 10 students

Saturday 2 June

11.15 The ATAR and Subject selection for Year 10 students
12.00 So you want to be a doctor. Hear from UAC and our universities on entry into Medicine. (New for 2018)
1.30 The ATAR and Applying to Uni for Year 11/12 students

Sunday 3 June

11.15 The ATAR and Applying to Uni for Year 11/12 student
12.45 The ATAR and Subject selection for Year 10 students

Western Sydney Careers expo

Thursday 28 June and Friday 29 June

10.15 The ATAR and Applying to Uni for Year 11/12 students / The ATAR and Subject selection for Year 10 students
11.45 ‘So you want to be a doctor’ hear from UAC and our universities on entry into Medicine. (New for 2018)
1.15 The ATAR and Applying to Uni for Year 11/12 students / The ATAR and Subject selection for Year 10 students

Saturday 30 June

11.15 The ATAR and Subject selection for Year 10 students
12.45 The ATAR and Applying to Uni for Year 11/12 students

Sunday 1 July

11.15 The ATAR and Applying to Uni for Year 11/12 student
12.45 The ATAR and Subject selection for Year 10 students

Also encourage your students to visit the institution campuses to get a feel for university life.

UAC's Community Engagement Team: Erin Keech, Trudy Noller and Kirsty Olliver.

University news

Australian College of Applied Psychology

ACAP offers pathway courses from Diploma to Postgraduate in Social Work, Psychology and Counselling.

Lecturers from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) will present seminars to guide careers teachers and prospective students through the qualification options for two popular wellness sector careers at mid-year expos.

The session ‘Becoming a Social Worker’ takes place at 2.00pm at the HSC and Careers Expo at Moore Park on 31 May (Seminar Room 1). ‘Becoming a Psychologist’ will be presented at 11.00am at the Western Sydney Careers Expo on 29 June at Sydney Olympic Park (Seminar Room 2). ACAP students and alumni will be there to answer questions from expo attendees, about their study experiences.

Bookings are not required to attend the expo seminars.

CQUniversity

STEPS information session

25 May, 9–10am

If your students need a little help to meet the entry requirements of their chosen university course, or perhaps just want some additional support to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to successfully enter and undertake further study, CQUniversity offers Skills For Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) course.

STEPS is a FREE, Centrelink-approved enabling course that is designed to help students acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to gain entry into university. They can register to attend one of the STEPS Information sessions at their local CQUniversity campus or online.

Upcoming career events

You can also get to know more about CQUniversity and learn about its range of courses in Sonography, Echocardiography, Podiatry, Chiropractic and more, by having a chat to one of their team members exhibiting at upcoming local Sydney career events.

• The HSC and Careers Expo, Moore Park, 31 May–3 June, 10am–3pm
• CAA Tertiary Update Day , UTS Aerial Function Centre, Ultimo, 6 June, 9am–5pm
• Western Sydney Careers Expo, Sydney Olympic Park, 28–29 June, 9am–3pm, 30–31 June, 10am–3pm
• ACS Seminar Sydney for career professionals, Commonwealth Bank, Haymarket, 10 August, 8.30am–4.00pm

Online chat session

Get to know CQUniversity a little better at one of their upcoming Online Chat Sessions. Whether it’s in relation to a course of interest, student support services, or anything else to do with studying with them, their staff will be on-hand to provide you with the answers.

Register to attend the next session on 23 May from 3–6pm.

International College of Management, Sydney

The International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) has added two bachelor degrees and a new master’s degree to its educational offering.

Based in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, ICMS now offers students the opportunity to study a Bachelor of Business Management (Accounting) or a Bachelor of Business Management (Fashion and Global Brand Management).

The comprehensive Bachelor of Business Management (Accounting), designed by ICMS in partnership with industry, will prepare students to take their place as valued professionals and assets of any organisation. Students may apply to CPA Australia to become an associate member at the completion of their degree.

For students with a passion for fashion and branding, the Bachelor of Business Management (Fashion and Global Brand Management) will place them at the junction of fashion, business and marketing for an exciting career in a multi-trillion dollar industry.

The Master of Event Management is a two-year full-time or four-year part-time course. It’s the ideal course for event managers seeking to step up the career ladder as well as those seeking a career change who want to gain advanced entry into the event management space.

For more information on ICMS courses, visit the ICMS website.

Macquarie University

Upcoming events

Career Advisers and Teachers Day, Friday 18 May

Student and Parent Information Evening: For year 10, 11 and 12 students and parents, Wednesday 23 May

Global Leadership Entry Program applications open, Monday 14 May – Monday 27 August

Non School Applicant Info Week, Monday 28–Wednesday 30 May

HSC in the Holidays – July and October school holidays

Campus tours – Open to everyone

TOP

TOP’s Career Development Programs

TOP’s Career Edge is made up of a number of programs that aim to help our students become career-ready during their studies so that they will be able to transition into the workforce confidently after graduation. Career Edge offers extensive benefits to help students build on their skills, their capacity to adapt in a rapidly changing world and to discover their potential for life after study.

Career prep workshops

Our students are encouraged to attend Career Prep Workshops during their studies at TOP. Industry professionals are invited to TOP to present and offer advice on resume writing, interview skills and other insights to prepare our students for the first step of their job-seeking path.

CareerFit

CareerFit is a one-week program run by TOP in conjunction with PwC which aims to help students learn and develop effective business communication skills, utilise smart technology tools and explore business case studies to improve their learning.

Work placements

TOP’s staff are devoted to arranging placements, coordinate with leading organisations, technology companies, small businesses, government agencies and other entities to ensure that our students are placed in an industry that matches their field of study and ambitions.

Student ambassador program

Our Student Ambassadors are the face of TOP’s Sydney City School of Business and Law at careers expos, campus events, school visits, campus activities and conduct campus tours. Our Student Ambassadors provide firsthand experience to prospective students about their experience at TOP. They receive paid work experience and assist the marketing team in promoting the programs, benefits and services offered to prospective students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders.

Language and culture exchange program

The TOP Language and Culture Exchange Program (LCEP) is free to join and provides students from the Sydney City School of Business and Sydney City School of Law the opportunity to meet and exchange language and cultural insights in a relaxed environment. Currently, the program offers exchanges in English and Mandarin. However, we hope to expand this program and make more language options available.

Career planning and advice program

The Career Planning and Advice Program is a guide that will help students prepare for their written application and plan for an interview, improving their chances of getting the job.

If you would like more information about our student career development initiatives visit top.edu.au/careeredge or call (02) 9209 4888.

University of Wollongong

Upcoming UOW Information Evenings for Year 12 students and their parents:

• May – Sutherland, Campbelltown, Wollongong, Canberra, Goulburn and Dubbo
• June – Nowra, Liverpool, Bankstown, Southern Highlands, Southern Sydney, Central Sydney, Penrith, Kogarah and Parramatta
• July – Batemans Bay, Bega and Griffith.

Click here for more information and booking details.