ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS TO UNIVERSITY

Please check individual university websites for updates relating to 2024 entry.

It has been possible to enrol in university studies without achieving an ATAR or after achieving a low TEA. See below for details from each West Australian university. There are many alternative pathways to access a range of university courses.

Edith Cowan University – Experience Based Entry Scheme

This is available to near-miss ATAR students or to those who did not obtain an ATAR (They may have completed 3 ATAR subjects or a Certificate IV qualification). Courses accepting applications through this pathway can be found on the ECU website below. Students must meet Secondary Graduation requirements and have the pre-requisite subjects for the course they’re applying for. They must satisfy English competency requirements, as well as providing a portfolio of evidence, showing an ability to succeed in higher education. Applicants must also provide an introductory letter, résumé, academic record and two written references. An interview may also be required. If students are unsuccessful in their application, they may be referred to the University Preparation Course. See http://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/course-entry/experience-based-entry for more details.

Edith Cowan University – University Preparation Course (UniPrep)

This course is available to near-miss ATAR students or those who did not obtain an ATAR. Upon successful completion students can enter many of ECU’s degree courses, but not all. Applicants must complete Year 12 and meet ECU’s minimum English requirements to be considered for UniPrep. The UniPrep course is over one semester full-time, one year part-time or as a summer school. Students complete four units to prepare them for university-level study and academic success. ECU’s minimum entry requirements are met by successful completion of UniPrep. See http://www.ecu.edu.au/degrees/uniprep for more details.

Curtin University – Portfolio Entry

Portfolio Entry is available to students with a near-miss ATAR or with a Certificate IV relevant to the course they are making the application or have completed one ATAR course. Curtin have a range of courses that accept portfolio entry in humanities, science, business and health science. Students must meet Secondary Graduation requirements and have the pre-requisite subjects for the course they’re applying for. They must satisfy English competency requirements which may include an A grade in General English or a C grade in ATAR English and provide a portfolio of evidence, showing an ability to succeed in higher education. Applicants must provide an introductory letter, résumé letters of support, evidence of academic achievement and other records showing extracurricular activities. An interview may also be required. See http://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/pathways/portfolio-entry for more details.

Curtin University – Access Curtin

The new Access Curtin pathway can help students gain admission to a preferred course if no other pathway is suitable. An Access Curtin place grants admission to a range of courses at Curtin that require an ATAR of 70. If students are eligible for this pathway, they will be granted entry to Curtin on the condition that students pass two of their first four units of study. After that, a student’s place at Curtin becomes unconditional. See https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/pathways/access-curtin/ for more details.

Curtin University – UniReady Enabling Program

This program is available to near-miss ATAR students or those who did not obtain an ATAR. The UniReady Enabling Program may help students qualify for entry into some Curtin undergraduate courses. The list of courses can be found on the website below. All applicants must have completed Year 12. The UniReady Enabling Program is over one semester full-time, and students complete a course to prepare them for

university-level study and academic success. See https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/pathways/unireadyenabling-program/ for more details.

Curtin College

Curtin College is an integrated pathway provider, offering courses designed to prepare students for entry into degree courses at Curtin University. It has flexible entry requirements for near-miss ATAR students, those who did not attain an ATAR or enough WACE subjects at high school, or those who successfully completed Year 11 but not Year 12. Curtin College offers Diploma, Certificate IV Tertiary Preparation, and Tertiary Access programs. Their Diploma courses are recognised for entry into universities. Some courses offer a trimester system, giving the choice to enter a course when it is convenient and with the option to fast track a program. See http://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/pathways/uniready-enabling-program for more details.

Murdoch University – Portfolio Entry

Murdoch now offer a range of portfolio entry pathways. School leavers can demonstrate eligibility through their final Year 12 subject results and/or extra-curricular activities in an area directly related to their desired course. See https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/undergraduate-courses/portfolio-entry-pathway for more details.

Murdoch University – Media Portfolio Pathway

The media portfolio admission pathway is for aspiring media students who wish to enrol in a School of Arts based degree based on the submission of a creative portfolio. ATAR results will not be used to determine admission. Eligible applicants should meet the completion of WACE and achieve a scaled mark of 50 or more in ATAR English. See http://www.murdoch.edu.au/School-of-Arts/Media-Portfolio-Entry/ for more details.

Murdoch University – Murdoch OnTrack and OnTrack Sprint University Preparation Courses

These semester programs are available to provide the study skills necessary to succeed at university and lead to automatic entry into an undergraduate degree on successful completion. Students must have completed Year 12. These programs are also available as an intensive course for near-miss ATAR students. See http://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/enabling-pathways for more details.

Murdoch University – Murdoch University Preparation Course (MUPC)

Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) runs the Murdoch University Preparation Course (MUPC) to prepare students for entry into a wide range of undergraduate degree courses at Murdoch University. Depending on students’ academic entry level, experience and chosen degree, the Course can be completed in 1 - 3 trimesters of study. See http://www.murdochinstitute.wa.edu.au/study/Murdoch-University-preparationcourse for more details.

University of Notre Dame

NDU has a different admissions process but also has available a Tertiary Pathway program that is completed over one semester and enables entry to some courses. See https://www.notredame.edu.au/study/pathways/tertiary-pathway-program for more details.

The Foundation and Diploma programs offered through Taylors College provide the academic and English language skills you require to successfully progress onto a degree at The University of Western Australia. See http://www.taylorsperth.edu.au/your-pathway-to-uwa/why-taylors-college-perth for more details.