University
University courses are offered in a broad range of disciplines. These courses develop theoretical and technical knowledge, and the ability to critically apply this knowledge to analyse and solve problems.
The main qualification issued by universities is a Bachelor degree. Successful completion of a Bachelor degree is one of the requirements for post-graduate courses that lead to higher level qualifications such as Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, Doctorate. Many universities offer pathway programmes such as Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma and other university preparation progammes. Some Australian universities such as Central Queensland University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology and the Australian Maritime College (an institute of the University of Tasmania) have both a higher education sector and a vocational education and training sector thereby offering the full range of qualifications from certificate level through to doctorate.
Students who wish to go to university directly after Year 12 must plan their Year 11 and 12 subjects so that they can satisfy entrance requirements for the universities and courses of interest.
Universities offer these qualifications:
- Doctoral Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Graduate Diploma
- Graduate Certificate
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Associate Degree
- Undergraduate Certificate
- Diploma
Bachelor degree, Associate Degree, Undergraduate Certificate and Diploma are referred to as undergraduate courses. When you graduate with a bachelor degree you may be eligible for post-graduate courses. Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters Degree, and Doctoral degree are post-graduate courses.
Some Australian universities also offer vocational education and training (VET) qualifications from Certificate level through to Advanced Diploma. Examples of universities that offer VET courses as well as higher education courses include the Australian Maritime College, which is an institute of the University of Tasmania, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, Central Queensland University and Federation University.
Entry Into University
If you want to go to university directly from Year 12, you must plan your Senior Secondary studies to ensure that you meet the entry requirements. Generally, school students wishing to enrol in university must satisfy:
- General university entry requirements.
- The required ATAR or cut-off score or better for the course of interest.
- Year 12 subject prerequisites (if any).
- Any special requirements that may apply, e.g., UCAT (Universities Clinical Admissions Test) for relevant selected medical, dentistry and clinical undergraduate courses or design tests, auditions, portfolios, interview or other required supporting documentation.
For those who do not meet the requirements, pathway programmes may provide an alternative way of reaching your target degree at university.
To prepare for university entry it is critical for school students from Year 10 onwards to carefully investigate:
- Preferred university courses
- General entry requirements
- ATAR score requirements
- Prerequisite school subjects
- Helpful school subjects
- Special requirements for individual university courses
This information can be obtained from Australian university websites and from tertiary admissions guides.
Australian University Websites
Australian universities are listed below. Click on the link to the university website.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian National University
Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)
National
Australian Catholic University
The University of Notre Dame Australia
New South Wales
The University of New South Wales
University of Technology Sydney
Northern Territory
Queensland
Queensland University of Technology
University of Southern Queensland
University of the Sunshine Coast
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Swinburne University of Technology
Western Australia
Curtin University of Technology
The University of Western Australia
Online University Courses
For a listing of other online university courses, consult Australia’s directory of online courses .
Compare University and Higher Education Courses
Course Seeker is an Australian Government supported website that gives an overview of undergraduate courses offered by all universities and higher education institutions in the current and following year.
ComparED is an Australian Government supported website that allows you to find out how:
1. Current and students studying a course that interests you rate their:
- Overall experience
- Skills development
- Teaching practices
- Interactions with staff and students
- Facilities and resources
- Support services
2. Recent graduates’ ratings of:
- Improvement in their skills as result of the course
- Overall experience in the course
- Satisfaction with teaching practices
3. Recent graduate employment and salary outcomes.
You can compare student course experiences and employment and study outcomes for up 6 institutions, study areas or courses at a time.
Applying for University
In most states and territories applications for public universities, some private universities and other higher education institutions, applications are made to a tertiary admissions centre for the state in which the university is located.
Paying for University
The Study Assist website has all the information you need to know about paying for your university study.
Scholarships
All universities offer a range of scholarships. Here you can locate the scholarship pages for all Australian universities. You can also search for scholarships on The Good Universities Guide website and you can locate different sources scholarships on the myhealthcareer website.
Accommodation
If you are moving away from home to study at university, you will need to arrange accommodation. Here you can link to the accommodation page for all Australian universities.
