Main round offers released

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

The University of Newcastle (UON) has tonight released 5,176 Main Round Offers to prospective undergraduate students.

Main round offers 2015

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Andrew Parfitt, said the University was delighted to have made a total of 7,936 offers to date to students to commence studies in semester one, 2015, reflecting strong interest in our undergraduate academic programs.

"Our total offers to date include 2,760 offers made in a number of early rounds, including our High Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) Guaranteed Offer Scheme. Under the scheme, many applicants with an ATAR score over 90 are guaranteed a place to study in select programs at UON and offers are made in early January."

Although preferences in 2015 were around 5 per cent down on 2014 figures, a trend reflected across the sector in New South Wales, the University's total offers to date are currently similar to last year. However, Professor Parfitt said that with more than 17,700 applications from students across Australia nominating at least one preference for an undergraduate degree at the University of Newcastle, interest in UON programs remains strong.

"Importantly, the quality of students choosing to study at Newcastle continues to be high. A quarter of our offers are to applicants with an ATAR of 90 or above, and the median ATAR of applicants receiving an offer is 82.45," Professor Parfitt said.

"In addition, some 80 per cent of today's offers are to students in the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions, cementing our place as the university of choice in our region."

Professor Parfitt said the calibre of the University's health programs was recognised with a strong increase in demand this year for entry into nursing programs.

"We are delighted that interest in our nursing programs has soared. Our Bachelor of Nursing at Callaghan and the Central Coast are in the top five UON programs with the most offers to date. UON is proud to be educating the next cohort of nurses who will make a significant contribution to the health sector."

Areas with the largest number of offers range across nursing, arts, teaching, engineering and science.

Although remaining among the largest programs, demand for teaching and business degrees has fallen slightly in 2015, opening opportunities for students who may be considering applying or changing their preferences. Places will be available in a number of programs in the late and final rounds.

Professor Parfitt said there had been a strong acceptance rate from early round offers for undergraduate degree programs and encouraged those students with a main round offer to act promptly, by accepting or deferring as soon as possible.

"For the first time this year applicants were able to indicate, through UAC, they would like to receive an offer to one of UON's enabling programs if they didn't obtain a place in a degree program. UON has made 586 enabling offers to date, and places are still available for direct admission to these programs.

"For those students who may not have received an offer, or would like to explore their options, our Advisory Day on Thursday 22 January is a great opportunity to speak to representatives from the University about options for study and pathways to University, including enabling programs."  Staff will be available at Newcastle, Ourimbah and Port Macquarie between 3pm and 6pm to answer questions and provide advice.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to accept their Main Round Offer without delay by visiting www.newcastle.edu.au/uacby Wednesday 28 January.

Additional offers information                                                                                                       

  • Breakdown of offers*:

    • (* Figures do not include offers made to international students. International admissions continue through February.)

Newcastle/Callaghan campus

Number of offers (YTD): 6,474

Main round: 4,268

Central Coast campus

Number of offers (YTD): 1,270

Main round: 790

Port Macquarie campus

Number of offers (YTD): 118

Main round: 89

Distance education (undergraduate only)

Number of offers (YTD): 74

Main round: 29

  • Total number of offers to undergraduate programs to date: 7,936 (Commonwealth Supported Places)
    • 38 per cent of offers are to school leavers
    • 62 per cent of offers are to non-school leavers
  • Offers to students who have completed a preparation (enabling) course at the University of Newcastle: 
    • 736 offers to applicants who have completed the Open Foundation program at the University. Open Foundation is a program for people who have been out of the education system and hope to study in an undergraduate degree program in the future.
    • 411 offers to applicants who completed the Newstep program at the University. Newstep is similar to Open Foundation, aimed at 17 – 21 year olds.
    •  15 offers to applicants who completed the Yapug program at the University. Yapug is aimed at supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
  • Total number of programs offered across all campuses:  84
  • Faculty breakdown: Offers across the University's five faculties are:
    • Business and Law: 795 offers (year to date)                                                    
    • Education and Arts: 2297 offers YTD                                                         
    • Engineering and Built Environment:  920 YTD                  
    • Health and Medicine: 2257 offers YTD                                           
    • Science and Information Technology: 1659 offers YTD                
  • Top fields of study: The top program areas by number of offers include the areas of nursing, arts, teaching, business, engineering and science.
  • Top five degree programs in terms of offers made:
    • B Nursing (Callaghan)
    • B Arts (Callaghan)
    • B Teach (Primary) (Hons) (Callaghan)
    • B Nursing (Ourimbah)
    • B Business (Callaghan)

Information for prospective students:

The University of Newcastle will hold an Advisory Day on Thursday 22 January 2015 for all prospective students, including those who did not receive a Main Round Offer from the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  Representatives from the University and TAFE NSW will be available to discuss options for study and pathways to University, including enabling programs.

  • Newcastle campus, 3pm – 6pm in the Great Hall
  • Central Coast campus, 3pm – 6pm in the Tourism and Hospitality building
  • Port Macquarie campus, 3pm – 6pm corner Oxley Highway and Widderson Street.

Prospective students who cannot attend the Advisory Day can visit www.start2015.com.au or call 02 4921 5000 for more information.

February Round 1:

Change of preferences for consideration in the February Round 1offers close on Tuesday 27 January 2015.  Late Round offers will be made on Tuesday 3 February.

February Round 2:

Applications through UAC for consideration in the February Round 2 of offers close on Wednesday 4 February 2015.  Final Round Offers will be made on Tuesday 10 February.

Contact

  • Media and Public Relations.
  • Phone: 02 4921 5577.

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