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Alternative Entry Paths

If you do not have the formal educational qualifications required for entry into a degree program you may be able to gain entry based on your performance in an alternative entry scheme.

If you seek admission via any of these entry paths, you will be ranked on performance and will compete for places with other applicants.

 

The NSW Limited UAI

We accept NSW Limited UAI for admission purposes to all programs except B. Medicine and Graduate Law. For further information refer to section 8.9 in the University Admissions Centre (UAC) Guide or visit the UAC website.

Foundation Studies

Our English Language and Foundations Studies Centre offers a variety of programs designed for Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia wishing to prepare for degree studies.

These include:

Newstep - one-year full-time tertiary preparation program for 17-20 year olds who have not completed the NSW Higher School Certificate or equivalent or have not acheived the UAI level required to gain access to university because of disadvantage.

Open Foundation - a part-time or full-time tertiary preparation program for people over 20 who do not have the qualifications to enter university.

Short Programs/Bridging Courses - tertiary preparation courses for students entering or continuing in various university level courses.

Yapug - one-year full-time program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wishing to gain entry into health and other professions.

Further information on applying for any of these programs can be found at our English Language and Foundation Studies website.

International Foundation Program

The International Foundation Program is a one-year full-time program run by the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre for international students with a minimum of 10 years education who are seeking admission to a Bachelor's degree program.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is considered for entry to some of the programs offered by the University. For details on specific programs that accept Special Tertiary Admission Test for admission refer to the STAT Policy webpage.

For details on how to register for the STAT, read Part 1 of the UAC Guide or visit the UAC website.

Vocational Experience

The University of Newcastle supports recognition of prior learning through vocational experience as a basis for entry to some programs.

TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate

Students of the Tertiary Preparation Certificate, regardless of their age, will be considered for entry to most programs.

Private Colleges

There are a number of private colleges that offer accredited certificates and diplomas. It is important before you begin one of these programs to find out if they have appropriate accreditation (accepted by the University). In NSW, such organisations need to be VETAB accredited and the program(s) they offer need to bear the AQF (Australian QualificationFramework) credential.

For more information about credit for study at a number of other institutions visit our Credit website.

TAFE Qualifications

Because UAI cut-offs may vary for University of Newcastle programs, you are encouraged to undertake as high a TAFE qualification as possible, ie at least a Diploma course, and to undertake studiesin a program which is graded and not competency graded.  This will make you more competitive when applying forUniversity. The University of Newcastle does assess completed Certificate III and Certificate IV for admission, although it is not always possible to obtain a sufficient rank for these qualifications. More information can be found at the TAFE website: www.tafensw.edu.au or www.hunter.tafensw.edu.au

(Please note: The University of Newcastle does not accept Statements of Attainment, or Certificates I or II for entry.)

More information on credit for your TAFE studies can be found at our Credit website.

Open Universities Australia

Seven Australian universities (Curtin, Macquarie, RMIT, SA, Swinburne, Griffith and Monash) contribute to the operation Open Universities Australia. Open Universities Australia offers undergraduate courses that lead to fully recognised degrees from these universities with programs offered in distance learning mode. You must complete at least two courses, equal to .25 FTE of a full-time load, to have this option considered for entry purposes to programs at the University.

For further information on alternative entry paths, please email admissions@newcastle.edu.au