In order to be considered for university admission, a school leaver normally must have:
- Met the requirements for Secondary Graduation (WACE) or equivalent eg IB Diploma.
- Achieved competence in English as prescribed by individual tertiary institutions.
- Obtain a sufficiently high Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) for entry to a particular institution and/or course, and
- Met any special requirements (eg. prerequisite studies, interviews, auditions etc. set by particular institutions for specific courses).
University Admissions Requirements
The ATAR enables direct access to courses at universities. The maximum ATAR is 99.95 and the ATAR reports a student‘s rank relative to all other Western Australian students of Year 12 school leaving age. The ATAR maintains comparability from year to year and it provides consistency for access to universities Australia wide.
An ATAR of 80 would mean that a student achieved in the top 20% of all Western Australian students of Year 12 school leaving age. The ATAR required to gain entry to a particular course depends on applicant demand and the supply of places available in the course.
For students studying the WA Certificate of Education
The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank is calculated from a student’s Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA) which is based on the aggregate mark from the student’s four highest WACE ATAR subjects plus any applicable subject bonuses. The maximum TEA is 430.
The calculation of the TEA is subject to the following conditions:
- A LOTE bonus of 10% of one LOTE scaled score is added to the aggregate of the best four scaled scores, irrespective of whether the LOTE subject scaled score was counted as one of the best four.
- A Mathematics bonus of 10% of the scaled score for each of Mathematics Methods and Mathematics Specialist is added to the aggregate of the best four scaled scores, irrespective of whether the Mathematics Methods and/or Mathematics Specialist course scaled scores was counted in the best four.
- Unacceptable combination rules will apply to ATAR Mathematics courses (see below)
- Mathematics Applications and Mathematics Specialist are an unacceptable combination (they both may be studied to achieve a WACE).
- Therefore only one score from the unacceptable combination can be used in the calculation of the ATAR.
WACE ATAR Examination and School based results
The results in each course are a 50:50 combination of WACE ATAR examinations performance and school assessments, except where subjects are taken on a non-school candidate basis.
For students studying the IB Diploma
The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank is calculated from the Diploma mark using a conversion table available from TISC. All the IB Diploma rules and regulations apply.
Some tertiary courses require previous study to a satisfactory level in specific Year 12 subjects. Details of any prerequisites will be found in the course guides produced by the individual Tertiary Institutions Admissions Centre. They are also included in the University Admissions guides.
http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/admission-req-sleaver.tisc
Curtin University commenced an undergraduate Medicine degree in 2017. Applicants are required to obtain a satisfactory UCAT and Casper score, a successful interview and a competitive ATAR. Curtin’s indicative ATAR selection rank is 95 however, it is in most cases, always higher.
UWA offers a limited number of “Assured Pathway” places to students who achieve an ATAR of 98+, a suitable UCAT score and a successful interview.
Students who do not secure this pathway may complete any Bachelor degree and then compete for a place in the 4 year Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a 4 year Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDMD) course. These students will be required to sit the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test (GAMSAT), obtain a minimum GPA of 5.5 in their undergraduate degree which is approximately equivalent to a weighted average of 65% and attend a structured interview.
Students seeking a place in most undergraduate Medicine/Dentistry degrees in Australia are required to sit the UCAT. https://www.ucat.edu.au
TISC runs a joint applications system for admission to undergraduate courses at Western Australian universities.
Applicants for Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry and the Assured Pathway to Pharmacy at UWA must include this preference by the end of September – it cannot be added after then.
Completing a Certificate IV and General English
Students can meet the minimum university entrance requirement if they do not complete English ATAR but have the following:
UWA
UWA recognises the Certificate IV and for direct admission to certain undergraduate degrees. Ambition and achievements outside the classroom also matter. UWA offers admission through Experience-based entry, which allows you to apply for a select number of undergraduate bachelor’s degrees using a combination of academic achievements and life experiences. UWA will assess all your qualifications and life experiences using a point system, where points will be awarded for each item submitted, and the total number of points will determine your eligibility for your chosen course. Students may demonstrate English competency though a scaled score of 50 or higher in an English ATAR subject, or undertake a Communications unit in their first year of study.
Curtin
Certificate IV and successful completion of the STAT.
ECU
Certificate IV and an A grade in English General (or, a scaled score of 50 or higher in an English ATAR subject) or a submission of an Experience Based Entry portfolio for select courses.
Notre Dame
Certificate IV and successful completion an English subject (ATAR or General) in Year 12.
Murdoch
Certificate IV and successful completion an English subject (ATAR or General) in Year 12.
Students who do not gain admission to the undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programmes, will have the opportunity to undertake university enabling programs (6 months) offered at each of the above universities (except UWA). These can be applied for when completing their TISC application from August.
For more information on the STAT: