9 things you should know about university entry in Year 12

From prerequisites to pathways to preferences, here’s everything you need to know before Year 12 exam results are released and university offers start to roll out.

What are entry pathways?

Pathways offer alternative methods of entry into university programs for students who don’t meet the standard entry criteria for their preferred course. Torrens University Australia offers flexible entry options and study pathways, taking into account an individual’s work experience, community contributions, previous qualifications and more.

What are the prerequisites for university?

Prerequisites are specific subjects studied in Year 11 and 12 that are considered to provide the foundational knowledge required to qualify for entry into certain undergraduate courses. Be sure to check course-specific requirements of the before submitting your application.

What is Early Entry?

Torrens University’s Early Entry program is open to eligible Year 12 students who want a guaranteed offer to study with us before receiving their final-year exam results. Conditional Early Entry offers are sent to applicants on the proviso that they complete Year 12. Once we receive their Year 12 certificate, their enrolment can be finalised. Learn more and check your Early Entry eligibility here.

What is ATAR?

The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is a rank, not a score out of 100. A number between zero and 99.95, it represents a student’s overall academic performance relative to all other final-year students. For example, an ATAR of 70 does not mean a student has averaged 70%; it means they are 30% from the top of their age group.

While the ATAR is a reasonable indication of performance, we believe individual strengths are better indicators of future success. That’s why Torrens University removed ATAR as the primary entry requirement. For entry into our bachelor’s degrees^*, we consider the following:

• Year 12 certificate
• Diploma
• Experience, creative portfolio, interviews

^*Exceptions apply to some courses.

What is a Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) offer?

Tertiary Admissions Centres (TACs) release offers on specific dates as part of their offer rounds. Year 12 students are included in TAC offer rounds only after the release of their final-year exam results. If a student has applied to study at university through a TAC (UAC/VTAC/QTAC/SATAC), they will receive an offer to the highest preference for which they are eligible/satisfy the entry requirements.

• These offers are unconditional
• Students can only receive one offer per offer round
• There are multiple rounds
• Students can receive multiple offers for multiple courses and universities throughout the offer period

New South Wales: Universities Admissions Centre (UAC)

Queensland: Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC)

Victoria: Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)

South Australia: South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC)

How do I accept a Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) offer?

Once you receive a TAC offer, we will send you an official offer letter with instructions on how to accept and enrol (this is separate to your TAC offer letter). It is strongly recommended that you accept the offer as soon as possible so that you can secure your place in the course. You can still receive additional offers for other courses in subsequent offer rounds.

Can I change my preferences after receiving an offer through a Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC)?

You have the option to change your preferences after receiving and accepting your offer. If you wish to be considered for other courses, accept the first offer and replace your first preference with the new courses you would like to be considered for in the next offer round. Don’t worry, you will not lose your initial offer by changing your preferences.

I have received an Early Entry offer. Should I wait for my Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) offer before enrolling?

To save your spot, we recommend you accept the Early Entry offer and replace the course in your TAC preferences. Please talk to Torrens University’s Future Student Advisors about the option to change your course after receiving an offer.

How to apply if taking a gap year?

If you are planning to take a gap year, we suggest that you apply for your preferred course now and defer. You can secure your place at Torrens University if you have a recent Australian Year 12 certificate (or equivalent) and start studying when you feel ready. Talk to our Future Student Advisors about deferring after receiving your offer.

I have more questions, who do I contact?

Please get in touch with our Future Student Advisors, who will be able to guide you through offer rounds, enrolment processes and much more.