Direct Entry FAQs
You can find comprehensive answers to your questions about our Direct Entry Portal in our FAQs section. Here are some key points to remember:
- The Direct Entry Portal application is free!
- You apply directly to the University of Newcastle.
- Offers are extended on a weekly basis.
What you need to know when applying
You should apply directly to the University if:
- You are a domestic applicant, and you completed your secondary education (e.g. NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC), International Baccalaureate (IB), or an interstate equivalent), in 2023 or earlier.
- You are a domestic applicant who has started or completed additional studies since finishing your secondary education.
If you are completing Year 12 in 2024 in New South Wales (NSW) or the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), refer to our Early Entry Program.
If you wish to be considered for an Entry Scheme or Adjustment Points, or you are completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) or an equivalent interstate secondary qualification in 2024, we recommend that you apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
If you meet any of the following criteria, you should apply directly to the University:
- Have an ATAR (or equivalent) of at least 50.
- Completed (or on your way to completing) an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) at Certificate III level or above.
- Completed (or partially completed) any bachelor degree or postgraduate level study, including non-award study, or an overseas equivalent.
- Completed an enabling course or preparatory program (e.g., TAFE NSW Tertiary Preparation Certificate or Open Foundation).
- Completed a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).
If you have not completed any formal secondary, vocational (VET), or higher education studies, there is still a place for you at the University of Newcastle!
We have a range of options to get you on the pathway to your dream degree. Our recommended pathways include Open Foundation and Yapug.
You must provide documentation for any qualifications that indicate "Documents must be provided". Qualifications without supporting documentary evidence may not be considered as part of your application.
If you receive a direct offer and then you change your preferences, your application will be reassessed. If you are eligible for one of your chosen preferences, you will receive another direct offer.
If you wish to change your preferences, see ‘How do I change my preferences?'
Certain degrees, such as Medicine and Midwifery, are not available in the Early Entry Program due to limited available places or additional admission criteria.
For information about the Joint Medical Program, please visit newcastle.edu.au/joint-medical-program.
To apply for the Bachelor of Midwifery, please use the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) application process.
No, adjustment factors are not considered in the Direct Entry Portal.
If you believe you may benefit from an Entry Scheme or Adjustment Points, we recommend applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Each degree offered through the Direct Entry Portal has a specific threshold rank. Your qualifications are converted into a selection rank, and if your selection rank meets or exceeds the degree’s threshold rank, you should receive an offer.
For degrees with limited places, offers are granted to the highest ranked applicants.
Please note that additional admission requirements apply to certain degrees such as the Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts and the Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts/Bachelor of Arts. For further details, please visit newcastle.edu.au/degrees/bachelor-of-music-and-performing-arts/admissions.
Your qualifications are converted into a selection rank, which is used to assess your eligibility for undergraduate admission.
It's important to note that selection ranks from different qualifications are not combined. Instead, we use the highest rank to determine your eligibility.
The following degrees have limited availability due to placement or registration quotas. We will allocate some places through our Direct Entry Portal and reserve places for the UAC offer rounds.
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science
- Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours) (Diagnostic Radiography)
- Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours) (Nuclear Medicine)
- Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours) (Radiation Therapy)
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours)
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Combined)
Applications for these programs might be assessed alongside all applicants, including those applying through Direct Entry and UAC. This is because some of these programs are in high demand and have limited availability due to quota restrictions.
If we assess all applicants for entry into any of these programs, eligible applicants should expect offers for these programs to be released in December, after ATARs are released.
Yes. Applying through the University of Newcastle’s Direct Entry Portal does not prevent you from applying to other universities.
Preferencing - How and Why?
You can select three programs to include in your preferences.
By selecting your preferred programs wisely, you increase your chances of receiving an offer for the program that aligns best with your academic and career goals.
We suggest you order your preferences in the following way:
Preference 1: Dream degree
Preference 2: Degree in a similar study area/lower-ranked degree
Preference 3: Pathway program
For instance, if your dream degree is the Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Laws (Honours), you would list your preferences in the following way:
Preference 1: Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined
Preference 2: Bachelor of Business
Preference 3: Diploma of Business
The programs you select and your selection rank will determine which program you receive an offer for.
If you are not eligible for a direct offer to any of your preferred degrees, we will use your highest preference to offer you a place in an alternative degree or a pathway program, such as a Diploma or Open Foundation.
You have the flexibility to change your preferences as many times as you like during the admission period.
If you have already selected three programs and wish to change your preferences, you must first remove some programs. To do this, click on the red cross next to the name of the program you wish to remove, and save your changes.
Once you remove programs from your preferences, use the search function to find the program you wish to add. To add a program, click on the program’s start date. For instance, 22-Jul-2024 or 24-Feb-2025.
The final step is to review your preferences to ensure they are in the correct order.
You can reorder your preferences by using the ‘move up/move down’ buttons or by dragging and dropping your preferences into place. Remember to save your changes.
If you need assistance with changing your preferences, please contact our support team.
Commonly asked questions about offers
If you are eligible for a direct offer, you will receive an offer email to the address you provided in your application. Direct offers are made on a weekly basis to eligible applicants.
After you apply and your application is assessed, you will be considered for an offer to one of your preferred degree programs.
For programs starting in Semester 2, 2024, commencing on July 22, 2024, offers will be made from April 2024 until July 2024. For Semester 1, 2025 programs starting on February 24, 2025, offers will be extended from July 2024 through to February 2025. Refer to ‘Which degree programs have limited places?’ for details on offers to programs with placement or registration quotas.
If you have preferences for programs starting in both semesters, the decision on which program to commence and in what semester will be entirely yours to make.
Congratulations, you have seven days to accept your direct offer and secure your place at the University of Newcastle.
We recommend accepting your offer as soon as possible, which you can do by clicking here.
Congratulations on receiving an offer to your highest eligible preference! This means that your selection rank met or exceeded the rank required for entry into a program that you selected as either your second or third preference.
We recommend accepting your offer within seven days to secure your place at the University of Newcastle, which you can do by clicking here.
If you wish, you can apply through UAC. UAC applications take into account Entry Schemes and eligible Adjustment Points. Accepting your early offer now doesn’t stop you from being considered for your first preference through UAC.
If you received a direct offer for a program that wasn't among your preferences, including a Diploma or Open Foundation, it indicates that your selection rank didn't meet the rank required for the degrees you selected as preferences in your Direct Entry application.
There is a place for you at the University of Newcastle. We recommend accepting your offer within seven days to secure your place, which you can do by clicking here.
Yes! You can defer or decline your offer by following the same link to accept your offer.
If you have questions about deferring your offer, you can reach out to us AskUON.
Yes! You can receive offers directly from the University and receive offers in the UAC offer rounds.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.