General Entry Requirements

Admission to many courses is available on the basis of a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. You may apply for admission to the University on the basis of meeting one or more of the following General Entry Requirements.

• Senior Secondary – one of: TCE (SA in at least four pre-tertiary subjects); Year 11/12 ATAR score; International Baccalaureate Diploma, ACE, concessional entry; OR 

• Completion of one of the following: TAFE/VET qualifications: Certificate III or IV or equivalent; Diploma; Advanced Diploma; TAFE articulation program; OR 

• Prior university study, either completed or partially completed; OR

• Successful completion of all units in a university enabling program; OR

• Results from a relevant aptitude test (may include ACER admission tests, STAT); OR 

• Provision of a supporting statement outlining evidence of capacity to succeed (see Supporting Statement guidelines for further details)

Some courses have additional entry requirements. For specific entry criteria, check the course information at the online Course and Unit Handbook at http://www.utas.edu.au/courses.  Applicants who have met General Entry Requirements but who do not satisfy course specific entry requirements will be contacted by our staff to discuss other course options.

Senior Secondary

If you have already completed or are completing your senior secondary schooling (Year 12/13) in 2011, you can apply for entry on the basis of your senior secondary school qualifications.

For most courses you will be assessed solely on your Year 12 results. Special entry conditions apply for some courses, for example some of those in Visual and Performing Arts. Applicants will be contacted if they are required to attend interviews or auditions for their course preferences.

From 2009, under a national agreement, the TER (Tertiary Entrance Rank) is now known as ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). The process for calculating the ATAR and its use are the same as for the TER: the change is one of nomenclature only.

Tasmanian Senior Secondary applicants

The minimum entry requirements are listed below:

• at least two years in post year 10 study for the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) (or another approved senior secondary program) requiring enrolment in a combination of subjects designed for Years 11 and 12; and
  
  
• a Satisfactory Achievement (SA) result or better in a minimum of four Senior Secondary pre-tertiary subjects, chosen from the schedule of subjects approved by the University; and

• attainment of the minimum of four subjects in not more than two (not necessarily consecutive) sittings. The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) will be calculated from the Tertiary Entrance scores obtained in the two sittings which satisfy the minimum entry requirements.

Selection of Tasmanian senior secondary applicants for most courses will be based on the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). The TE score is calculated by aggregating the scores of your best three Senior Secondary pre-tertiary subjects (from Year 12 or 13), together with the best score(s) of up to two other pre-tertiary subjects in that year or one other year. This score is then expressed as a percentile ATAR.

If you do not meet any of these requirements, it is still possible to gain entry to the University. Applicants who do not meet the above requirements will be considered for their course preferences on a concessional basis, or will be contacted to discuss course options. To be considered for concessional entry an applicant's performance in the TCE and any supporting evidence of their capacity to undertake higher education study will be assessed. Supporting evidence may take the form of advice from the relevant School/College/Principal or Careers Advisor.

Offers made in these circumstances will identify any conditions you may need to meet, including undertaking foundation study and/or academic performance in your initial studies, to allow you to transfer at a later point to your preferred course of study. More information is provided in Entry pathways.

If you wish to apply for an exemption from the 'two years in post year 10 study' component of the minimum entry requirements, you should submit a written application and forward it to the Admissions Office.

Applications based on Year 11/12 results will also be considered in the following circumstances:

• if you completed Year 11 in a state other than Tasmania. The application must include certified evidence of completion of Year 11. If you are considering an overseas exchange it is advisable to do so in Year 11 and, if appropriate, to apply for status at your Year 11 school in one subject and then to complete Year 12 and/or Year 13, in Tasmania. You would normally be expected to complete the minimum entry requirements in Year 12; or
  
  
• if you recommenced TCE studies after a break of one year or more due to employment or other circumstances. These circumstances may include such things as family responsibilities, overseas study or educational disadvantage. Your application must include documentary evidence of employment or other circumstances. You would normally be expected to complete the minimum entry requirements in Year 12; or
  
  
• if you are engaged in full-time or part-time employment or training while enrolled in TCE studies. Your application must include evidence of employment.

The University has approved arrangements for recognising senior secondary results (TCE and VET) for students who do not qualify for an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) through completing the required minimum four TCE pre-tertiary subjects for university entry. Applicants are allocated a notional TE score based on their studies and may gain entry to a number of Associate Degree programs offered by the University.

Interstate Senior Secondary applicants

If you completed your senior secondary education interstate you will be considered eligible for selection if you have met the necessary admission requirements or course prerequisites and have qualified for admission to a higher education institution in your home state. You will be ranked with other applicants on the basis of your Year 12 ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

If you completed the full diploma you qualify for admission to the University of Tasmania. The International Baccalaureate web page has further information.

Overseas qualifications

Subjects passed overseas may be counted towards minimum entry requirements. You should produce original copies of results for subjects passed elsewhere, together with a certified translation (NAATI accredited translator or Department of Immigration and Citizenship - includes Translation and Interpreter Service), if appropriate. Detailed subject descriptions and method of assessment details are also required to assist in determining equivalence to Tasmanian subjects.

Other Senior Secondary studies

Applicants with other senior secondary studies should provide original copies of results and curriculum information with their application.

TAFE/VET

Applicants who have completed or partially completed a Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma course at a Polytechnic/TAFE college or other VET provider will be considered for entry. In a number of cases you may be eligible for credit. The University recognises successful TAFE/VET studies as an important entry pathway to higher education study.

Previous University Study

This includes applicants who have completed or are currently completing, or have previously been enrolled in a degree or diploma course at the University of Tasmania or another higher education institution. It includes current University of Tasmania students wishing to transfer to another course and those applying for re-admission following exclusion from a tertiary institution. Applicants applying for re-admission should submit a statement detailing the circumstances surrounding their academic history, their activities since the exclusion and any plans in place to prevent a reccurrence.

University Enabling Program

Successful completion of all units in a university enabling program qualifies as meeting General Entry Requirements.

The University Preparation Program (UPP) is a pre-university program aimed at assisting potential students in their preparation for University study. The program has a number of delivery modes on each campus: face-to-face delivery, online and HELP sessions. For more information pleasesee the UPP website http://www.utas.edu.au/utas-college/university-preparation-program or contact UPP on (03) 6324 3714 or upp.course@utas.edu.au.

Aptitude Test

If you are applying for admission based on completion of an aptitude test, you should provide your formal results notification including the type of test, results, year, location of sitting, and whether the test was undertaken under invigilated conditions.

STAT Test

The University of Tasmania rarely requires an applicant to sit this test to gain entry. If you are in doubt please contact the Admissions Office on 1300 361 928 or by email Admissions@utas.edu.au before arranging to sit a test.

The STAT, written and assessed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) ( http://www.acer.edu.au/stat/index.html ), is administered for Tasmanian residents by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Testing sessions are usually held in Hobart during October and December each year. Other organisations which conduct STAT tests are listed on the ACER website.

Full details of STAT including dates, venues for testing sessions and registration fees, together with a copy of the VTAC application form which incorporates STAT registration, are in the VTAC Guide. This is available from all major newsagents or can be accessed on the VTAC website. If you need to discuss your requirements contact STAT Co-ordinator, VTAC, 40 Park Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205. Ph 1300 364 133 or email stat@vtac.edu.au.

Supporting Statement

Applicants who are required to complete a supporting statement in order to meet general entry requirements are advised to relate the statement to the course(s) for which you are seeking entry. This statement may be completed as part of the online application for admission or forwarded separately. The statement should not exceed two A4 pages in total and in some cases may only need to be brief. All relevant criteria listed will be taken into account and it is in your interests to address them. Please see Supporting Statement Guidelines for advice on completing the supporting statement. You should note that assessment of your application may be delayed if this statement is not provided with your application.

In some cases supplementary assessment processes will be used to determine or refine your ranking against some or all of the selection criteria addressed in your supporting statement. Some courses may also involve a follow-up assessment and you will be advised if this is considered necessary. Applicants should check the requirements for each course by viewing the relevant website:

Faculty of Arts: http://www.utas.edu.au/arts/students/brochures.html

Applicants for the Bachelor of Music (including combined degrees) are required to attend an audition, interview, music theory and aural test.

Applicants for the Bachelor of Music Studies are required to undertake an admission written test and interview.

Applicants for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (including combined degrees) are required to attend an interview and submit a portfolio.

School of Medicine

Applicants for the Bachelor of Paramedic Practice may be required to complete a UNIselect test.

Work qualifications, experience or other background/circumstances

A fully completed supporting statement providing evidence of capacity to succeed (see Supporting Statement Guidelines  for selection criteria) will enable the University to consider your application if you have not completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have other relevant experience and background, e.g.:

• you have completed a professional or work-based qualification relevant to the course you wish to study. Applicants in this group will be assessed on the content of their supporting statement addressing the selection criteria and their professional qualifications. Certified evidence of professional qualifications must be included; or
  
  
• you have relevant study, work or other experience that supports a reasonable prospect of completing the course to which you seek admission; or
  
  
• you have successfully completed relevant VET programs but have fewer than the minimum entry requirements of four Senior Secondary pre-tertiary subjects. Include details in your supporting statement addressing the selection criterion 'Academic Background'; or

• you have suffered educational disadvantage owing to illness, lack of TCE subject opportunities or other adverse personal circumstances. Please include details in your supporting statement addressing the selection criteria. You should also provide documentary evidence where appropriate.