Careers News

Year 12 Offers for Universities

As the term wraps up, Year 12 students are busy processing entries to University or preparing for jobs.

Many early offers have been released for students over the last two weeks. Students must be very careful when reading their offers. If the offer says unconditional, there is no requirement to reach a specific ATAR score in their upcoming HSC exam, but if the offer says conditional, students must reach the specified ATAR score. In no circumstances should students enrol in a course yet because this will mean they are locked into paying for the course.

When students receive offers, they should accept each offer so they have a range of choices. Once they accept an offer, they can take that course off their UAC preference list and choose other courses. This is because until their actual result comes out on the 18th December, they will not know their actual choices. However, they must let the University know early if they will not be attending their course, before the final date, as they will hold up a spot that another student may want.

Bridging Courses and Diplomas - If Scores are too low for the preferred Degree

If students do not meet the course requirements, for many courses, they may be able to take a bridging or diploma course, which aligns with their ideal degree. After successfully completing the short course, participants will be eligible to move on to the next course. These bridging courses are often free and upskill students to prepare them for the rigours of the University course. To access one of these courses, students should apply for their ideal course, and the University will assign them to these foundation courses.

Also, many Universities will accept the qualification of Certificate Three as an entry mark for certain courses.

UAC / University Admission Centre New South Wales

The key dates to be aware of are:

  • The Early Bird entry fee for applying through UAC closes on 30th September
  • Change of preference closes and is locked on the 6th November. They are opened again for a window of time and then closed again on the 18th of December
  • The Schools Recommendation Scheme offers are released on 13th November
  • 18th December ATAR scores are released and the change of preferences closes again
  • 23rd December the first ATAR-based offers are released

Once the HSC results are released on 18th December, Universities will send their first round of offers for positions in their courses. If a student does not get straight into their chosen course, they may still be offered a place in that course during the second round of offers. This is a sorting process, meaning that all places in universities are hoped to be filled.

What is the final date for applying to University through UAC?

It's not too late to apply through UAC after the early bird deadline, though the processing charge increases significantly. The final closing date for applications is typically February 6, 2026, for the 2026 intake; however, individual courses may close earlier. It's best to check the UAC website for course-specific closing dates and to apply as soon as possible, even if students are unsure of their preference.

Applying through QTAC - The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre

In this application process, students must apply before September 30th to access the $70.00 Early Bird fee. In the Queensland System, students have six preferences.
View the QTAC website for information https://www.qtac.edu.au/key-info/
I will provide more information in subsequent newsletters to explain the preference process in greater detail. I will be available to advise students and parents as they prepare for the HSC exams and then after the exams when scores are released. Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Year 11 Queensland University Tour

In Week 8, Term 4, six Year 11 students will join the Coffs, Clarence Careers Network tour of Queensland Universities. We will be joining other local schools to research different university courses and campuses including: Griffith University, University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and Southern Cross University. I am looking forward to sharing this opportunity with these students. Those who have been accepted on the tour, please bring your money and sign the compass note as soon as possible. 

Year 10

We are still preparing for our work experience. Students and parents, please return your student placement documentation for work experience as soon as possible. This can be handed into the office or to your careers teacher. Students will also need to provide the employer with the employer’s handbook for work experience, which can be obtained from their careers teacher.

Thank you for reading.  

All the best to Year twelve as they approach the H.S.C and their final days!

Mrs Maria Rouse

Careers