This is the transcript for the video Undergraduate – Admissions schemes and pathways
Hi, I’m Jess – from the UTS Future Students team. Today I’m helping you learn more about admissions schemes and pathways to UTS. This video is divided up into two parts: This first part is about admissions schemes. The second, is about admissions pathways.
Firstly, I’ll talk about admission schemes. UTS has a range of schemes to help applicants boost their chances of being made an offer. We understand there are certain circumstances that should be taken into consideration when applying.
I’ll now briefly talk about the main schemes on offer at UTS. For a full list and more details, you can check out the UTS website.
There are two main types of schemes: Merit schemes and Access schemes.
Now, I’ll talk about the merit schemes available at UTS.
If you’re a recent school leaver, you may be eligible for the Year 12 subject scheme. You may be awarded a maximum of five adjustment points based on subjects that you study within your HSC or IB, how well you do in those subjects and whether they are relevant to the course you apply for.
The Business Cadetship scheme is available for both recent and non-recent school leavers. If you apply for the Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Economics or Bachelor of Management at UTS, AND have received a cadetship, you may receive an offer to one of these courses.
You’ll need to apply direct to UTS with your cadetship letter.
Next, we have the Design and Architecture Portfolio Scheme, which is only available for non-recent school leavers or recent school leavers that have taken a gap year. If you apply for a design or architecture course at UTS you have the option to submit an optional portfolio. If selected, you will be asked to attend an interview and if successful, you’ll be made an offer. But don’t worry, even if you don’t submit the portfolio or don’t get an interview, you’ll still be considered for an offer based on your academic qualifications.
If you’re a recent school leaver and interested in an IT or engineering course at UTS, you can submit an optional questionnaire in support of your application. If you miss the minimum rank required to receive an offer by 1-3 points, this questionnaire may help you get over the line. You’ll generally need to submit the questionnaire by mid-December and have a minimum selection rank of 80 to be considered.
The Science Aptitude Test is a scheme open for both recent and non-recent school leavers. If you apply for a science course at UTS, you can sit an optional aptitude assessment if you think your results from Year 12 or other study may not be enough to get you an offer. The aptitude test is held twice a year – once for Autumn and another for Spring session. Keep in mind, you can only take the test once per calendar year and it doesn’t apply to Advanced Science, Honours or combined courses. There is no preparation required for this test.
Now, I’ll run through the access schemes on offer at UTS.
inpUTS is the name of the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) at UTS and is available for both recent and non-recent school leavers. We acknowledge that difficult times and long-term disadvantage can impact your studies and your ability to achieve the ATAR you need for the course you want. If you apply and meet the eligibility criteria for inpUTS, you’ll be awarded ten adjustment points towards your selection rank. Examples of disadvantages include: School environment disadvantage, Home environment disadvantage, Personal disadvantage and Socio-economic disadvantage.
The School’s Recommendation Scheme (SRS) is an access scheme that acknowledges the impact that financial hardship or socio-economic disadvantage can have on a student’s school education. This scheme is only for applicants finishing Year 12.
You apply for the School’s Recommendation Scheme via UAC. Conditional offers are generally made in November, and if you receive a minimum ATAR of 69 and 80 for Law courses. The offers will convert to unconditional during the December Round 2 offer release.
Next, we have the Elite Athletes and Performers Access Scheme, also known as EAP. This is open to both recent school leavers and non-recent school leavers. If your studies have been impacted because you participated as an elite athlete of performer for your school or state at a national level, you may be eligible for 5 adjustment points.
There are a number of different pathways for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants in consideration for a course at UTS. You’ll need to apply direct to Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, and attend an interview and assessment session which is based on factors beyond just academic results.
We’re committed to supporting women in STEM. If you identify as female in your UAC application, you may be eligible for 10 adjustment points that will contribute to your selection rank. This scheme is open for both recent and non-recent school leavers. The list of eligible courses is on the UTS website.
You may be eligible for up to five adjustment points if your work experience relates to the course you are applying for at UTS. Complete the employment question in your UAC application so your work experience can be considered for select courses in: Business, Engineering and IT and Science.
These are the admissions schemes on offer at UTS. You can find out more information on each of these schemes on the website.
In this second part of the video, I’ll run through the main admissions pathways that you can consider if you don’t receive an offer to your desired course at UTS. Admissions pathways are an alternative way to be considered for entry into a course, using criteria other than an ATAR.
You can find out all about admissions pathways on our website.
There are two main types of pathways – UTS pathways and external pathways.
First, I’ll talk about the UTS pathways available.
Start by choosing a different UTS undergraduate degree – ideally, pick one with a lower selection rank that’s still similar to the course you want. After completing one year of full-time study, you can re-apply via UAC to your preferred UTS course. Some courses may accept less than one year – check out our course requirements for more info).
UTS Insearch is UTS’s leading pathway provider and offers diplomas in various disciplines. Completing a diploma at Insearch can lead to a guaranteed offer to UTS, if you meet the minimum GPA required. You could also receive recognition of prior learning for most or all of your first-year subjects.
Jumbunna Unistart is a unique 12-month program for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. You’ll study at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research and once you’ve completed the program, you’ll progress into your chosen UTS degree and receive recognition of prior learning. Now, onto external pathways to UTS.
TAFE or other VET diplomas are another option which may give you a higher selection rank than your ATAR and make your application more competitive. Just remember to choose a graded diploma (not competency based) to better your chances of getting an offer at UTS. You could also receive recognition of prior learning.
Other external pathways you can consider include: Completing the STAT test. The STAT test is a multiple-choice test accepted as an ATAR alternative for admission to a number of UTS courses.
Finally, you can gain entry though a Limited ATAR. UTS will accept a Limited ATAR for all undergraduate courses except scholarship and accelerated nursing courses. You need to be at least 20 years of age in the year you completed your HSC to be eligible.
I hope you’ve learnt more about how to apply to UTS, admissions schemes and admissions pathways. If you have any questions you can visit us at the UTS website or contact our Future Students team.