UAC News - September 2017

What Year 12 students need to know about December Round 2

Universities have confirmed they will be making offers to most courses in December Round 2 on Thursday 21 December. The exceptions are listed below. Offers to these courses will be made in January Round 1 on Friday 12 January and January Round 2 on Wednesday 31 January.

Australian National University

• B Health Science

Griffith University

• B Medical Science (MD Prov Entry)
• B Dental Health Science

University of Newcastle

• B Midwifery

University of Newcastle/University of New England

• B Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program)

UNSW Sydney

• B Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine
• B Arts/B Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine

Western Sydney University

• B Medicine/B Surgery (except for Rural Entry Admission Scheme offers, which will be made in December Round 2)

Students whose results are not available in time for December Round 2 can be assured that they will not be disadvantaged: universities will still have places available to make offers to all courses in January.

Early bird fee ends soon

The processing charge for applying for university through UAC depends on when students apply. The early bird charge of $58 ends at midnight on Friday 29 September so remind your students to apply by then or the fee reverts to the standard fee of $183.

Even if they’re not sure of their courses by this date, they can apply and then change their course preferences as many times as they wish – for free!

Other important application dates

All the important dates for 2017 admissions are on UAC’s website.

UAC PINs

All 2017 NSW HSC and ACT Year 12 applicants had their UAC PIN emailed to them in early August at the email address they registered with NESA (previously BOSTES). If any of your students didn't receive their PIN email, don't worry, we'll be resending PIN emails on Friday 22 September.

If their PIN doesn't work, they need to double-check they’re using their UAC PIN and not the PIN issued by NESA.

If they've lost or forgotten their PIN after they've applied through UAC, they can access the application login page and click the ‘Forgotten your PIN’ link under 'Manage your application', then follow the prompts to receive an email containing a link to reset their PIN.

If they haven’t yet applied, they should call UAC between 8.30am and 4.30pm (Sydney time) Monday to Friday on 1300 275 822 (or (02) 9752 0200 from mobiles). They’ll need to answer some identification questions and then their UAC PIN will be re-issued.

Course categorisation changes

The new English Studies and Mathematics Standard 1 courses have been categorised as Category B ATAR courses for the 2019 HSC onwards. Those students who take English Studies in the 2019 HSC and want to receive an ATAR will need to remember that only 2 units of Category B courses can be included, and at least 2 units of English must be included, in the ATAR calculation. Therefore English Studies students who want an ATAR will not be able to include any other Category B units and will need at least 8 units of Category A courses. Students studying English Studies in the 2017 and 2018 HSC will not be eligible for an ATAR. Students studying Mathematics General 1 in the 2017 and 2018 HSC cannot include this course in the calculation of the ATAR.

AITSL requirements for teaching courses

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has set an expectation of universities to select entrants into initial teacher education courses who have the academic capabilities and personal qualities that will enable them to successfully graduate as classroom-ready teachers.

Australian universities have responded to this in different ways. Some are using online assessment tools such as CASPer, a Canadian test. Others have integrated a personal statement as a requirement of their admission process for teaching courses.

Students who have applied for a teaching course at one of the following institutions will need to submit a personal statement addressing their motivation and suitability for teaching:

• Australian Catholic University
• Southern Cross University
• University of New England
• University of Sydney
• University of Technology Sydney
• University of Wollongong.

The one personal statement is valid for all teaching preferences to the above institutions.

ATAR enquiry centre

ATARs will be released on Friday 15 December. Students who have queries about the calculation of their ATAR can call UAC on 1300 MY ATAR (1300 692 827) or (02) 9119 5012 from mobiles on the following days:

• Friday 15 December, 8.30am–6.00pm
• Saturday 16 December, 8.30am–4.30pm (TBC)
• Monday 18 December, 8.30am–4.30pm
• Tuesday 19 December, 8.30am–4.30pm
• Wednesday 20 December, 8.30am–4.30pm
• Thursday 21 December, 8.30am–4.30pm
• Friday 22 December, 8.30am–4.30pm (TBC).

If students have general queries about their application, they can contact UAC on 1300 MY UAC (1300 275 822) or (02) 9752 0200 from mobiles.

UAC community liaison

This year has shaped up to be a very busy one for UAC’s Community Engagement team. To date we have attended 44 careers expos, 52 student and parent information sessions, 20 career adviser sessions and 98 presentations across Australia – and there are many more events still to come. See where we’ll be next.

Community Liaison has been able to offer more options to engage with our institutions, students, parents and career advisers in 2017. We receive many invitations from schools to run talks, presentations or information sessions on topics ranging from the ATAR to applying to uni and, where possible, we are available for:

• student information sessions (day or evening)
• Year 10 presentations on subject selection and the ATAR
• Year 12 presentations on the ATAR and applying through UAC
• careers markets and expos.

Or, if your careers adviser network is holding a meeting and would like an update on UAC, we would be happy to attend.

And if we can’t be there in person we can offer video conferencing connections.

Before requesting a session, our general guidelines are:

• session time for a UAC presentation is no less than 45 minutes
• flexibility of dates
• single schools must have a minimum of 250 students and parents in attendance.

If your school can’t meet the minimum attendance requirement, we encourage you to join up with neighbouring schools.

If you are in a regional area or another state, check when UAC will be at an event near you by checking our events calendar. If we’re in your area we can schedule a visit more easily.

If you have any questions about booking a UAC visit or to request a presentation, email ce@uac.edu.au.