When making the decision to study, it can sometimes feel overwhelming knowing where to start, especially when it comes to understanding how to apply for university. That’s why we’ve pulled together some useful hints and tips to help you begin the application process on the right foot. From choosing the right degree for you, to preparing your application, our comprehensive guide will give you the confidence to know how to apply for university in Australia.
Choosing the right university and degree for you
Many factors come into play when choosing a university, and the importance of these will vary at a personal level. Your choice may be based solely on what degree offerings are available, or your decision might be influenced by location, reputation, cost, or even online support. Regardless of how your list is prioritised, take the time to reflect on what your non-negotiables are when it comes to a university. Do your research and browse university websites to get a good idea of their offerings, support, rankings and student testimonials to ensure you are choosing the right university for you.
Whether you only have a general idea of what you’d like to study, or you know the exact degree you want to pursue, there are some important things to consider before deciding on a degree. Should you be completing a postgraduate or undergraduate qualification? Does the degree align with your future career goals? Will it enable you to play to your strengths? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision about the direction of your study.
Understanding university entry requirements
Entry requirements refer to the previous study, qualifications or experience you must have in order to enter a degree. When choosing what to study, it’s important to look at the entry requirements for your exact degree, as specifics can vary between universities, degrees and level of study. Some of the most common entry requirements include:
- Academic scores and qualifications (ATAR, high school certificates, bachelor's degrees)
- English language requirements
- Additional requirements (portfolios, work experience, interviews)
Pro tip - be aware of the entry requirements for your degree in advance! Not only does it give you time to gather the documentation you need to apply, it but it also gives you time to put an action plan in place to meet any requirements you might be missing.
If you're worried about your ability to gain entry into your chosen degree and are wondering ‘can I still apply to university?’, don’t stress, we’re here to help! At UniSQ, we know that it may have been a while since you last studied, your goals may have changed, or perhaps you haven’t completed some necessary qualifications. If this is the case, our pathway programs provide a great alternative entry point into study, helping you get your place at university. The same applies if you are a high school student who may not have gotten the ATAR you hoped for. No matter your score, we can help you get into university regardless of your ATAR. If there’s a will, there’s a pathway!
What to learn more? View our entry requirements page for detailed information.
How to apply for university
Now it's time to delve into the details of how to apply to university. This is where we answer questions like ‘how do I apply as an undergraduate student’, and ‘how long does it take to apply for university?’. Read on as we deep dive into the application process.
Applying to study
Firstly, it’s important to note that application processes are different depending on what you are applying to study. At UniSQ, if you are applying for an undergraduate degree and are new to UniSQ, you'll need to apply via QTAC. On the other hand, if you are applying for a postgraduate degree, you can apply directly to UniSQ. There are also separate application processes for pathway study or research study, and for those who are a current or previous UniSQ student. Details about these application processes are outlined on our apply website. That being said, if you are still unsure, we encourage you to contact us for advice based on your personal circumstances.
Key dates
Regardless of what you are applying for, it's vital to familiarise yourself with the university’s key dates. At UniSQ, our degrees and courses are offered across different academic calendars, to allow for flexible study. Each calendar has specific study period start and finish dates, orientation dates, as well as the all-important application closing date for the degree. Ensure you're aware of these dates so you can allow enough time to organise and submit your application before the cutoff!
Supporting documentation
As we covered above, every degree has specific entry requirements that you will need to meet. In most cases, this will require you to supply some form of supporting documentation with your application (e.g. high school certificate, academic transcripts or other relevant qualifications, CV’s, references, proof of previous work experience, or completed selection criteria to name a few). This helps us verify that you meet the entry requirements. Some degrees also have additional requirements, like UniSQ’s creative arts degrees, which may require you to attend an audition and/or an interview, or provide a folio of previous work as part of your application.
Submitting your application
Once you've gathered your documentation, you’ll be ready to take the next step and apply! If you’re applying to UniSQ, visit our apply page for specific information about how to submit your application based on your personal situation. Remember, if you get stuck at any point knowing how to apply to university, you can contact us for support.
Receiving your offer
Depending on how you applied to study at UniSQ, you'll receive the outcome of your application from QTAC or directly from UniSQ. If you applied directly to UniSQ, you'll be emailed a reference number and be notified of your application outcome via email within 10 business days. You’ll be able to check the progress of your application at any time by logging into the application portal. If you applied via QTAC, you’ll receive a reference number and QTAC will email you during an offer round to let you know the outcome of your application.
Be aware that processing times can vary, depending on factors including number of applications received, time of year, or setbacks like missing documentation.
Accepting your offer
Once you receive your offer email, the next step is to accept your offer. If you applied via QTAC, you'll be able to respond to your offer via the QTAC portal. Alternatively, if you applied to UniSQ directly, you can follow the links in your offer email from UniSQ or log into the online application portal to accept your offer. Your offer email will outline the date that you need to respond by so make sure you note this down!
Conditional vs unconditional offers
Most of the time when you receive an offer via QTAC or directly from UniSQ, these are ‘unconditional offers’, meaning that you have successfully met all the required entry requirements. At times however, UniSQ will issue what is called a ‘conditional offer’. Conditional offers allow you to become active and enrol in your new program prior to meeting all the entry requirements. In these instances, you’ll need to agree to meet certain conditions by an agreed upon date (set by the Admissions Team). Examples of conditions can include graduation eligibility, successful completion of a UniSQ program/individual subject, or proof of previous study, English proficiency, or professional membership. If you don’t meet conditions within the required time, you’ll be withdrawn from the program.
If you don’t receive an offer
Didn’t receive an offer? It may be that you didn’t meet the entry requirements, missed the cutoff, or if you applied via QTAC, you may not have paid your application fee! No matter the reason, don’t worry yourself thinking ‘can I still apply to university’. UniSQ offers you a number of alternative entry options to help you begin your university journey. Explore our pathway options, or get in touch with us to learn more.
Next steps
After you’ve accepted your offer, we’ll send you information about enrolment and you’ll be on your way! Don’t forget that at any time, you can connect with us and have your questions answered. We aren’t just there at the start, we’re with you every step of the way!
So there you have it! Your guide to knowing how to apply for university in Australia. Now that we’ve covered the ins and outs of the university application process, you’ll be prepared to confidently step into your next chapter of university study!
