Applying for tertiary study in Victoria

Applying for tertiary study in Victoria
VICTORIAN TERTIARY ADMISSIONS CENTRE 40 Park Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Telephone: Applying for tertiary study in Victoria A complete guide to applying for courses, special consideration, and scholarships in Victoria Twitter: twitter.com/vtacguide | Blog: blog.vtac.edu.au | Facebook: | YouTube:

About VTAC VTAC is the central point for applications to Victorian universities, TAFEs, and Independent Tertiary Colleges. VTAC also calculates the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for Victorian Year 12 students. Connect with VTAC today to receive updates, tips, and timely reminders: Blog: blog.vtac.edu.au (subscribe by ) Facebook: facebook.com/vtacguide Following VTAC on Facebook or Twitter means you’ll get reminders of key dates in your news feed.

The VTAC application process – key dates
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers The VTAC application process – key dates Key dates for applications Applications open $32 for current Year 12 students $50 for all others 9am, Monday 1 August 2016 Timely applications close 5pm, Thursday 29 September 2016 SEAS applications close 5pm, Tuesday 4 October 2016 Scholarship applications close 5pm, Friday 14 October 2016 Round 1 offers released Wednesday 18 January 2017 Full list of dates: Annual selection cycle Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) and Scholarships applications are optional, but strongly recommended Late and Very Late application deadlines exist, but a higher application fee applies

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers CourseSearch Free online keyword search tool for all tertiary institutions in Victoria Advanced search options include filtering by institution, area of interest, and qualification level Available at vtac.edu.au CourseSearch available from late July

The VTAC CourseSearch App
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers The VTAC CourseSearch App Available in August – check our blog and Facebook page for updates After downloading, browse course information online or offline Available for download in August from the Google Play store, and Apple App Store - $1.49 inc. GST Apps available from 1 August

Prerequisite and Course Explorer
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Prerequisite and Course Explorer Enter your VCE study program to see which courses you meet the prerequisites for Refine your search by area of interest, institution, qualification level, and more Year 10 students can compare different potential VCE programs to see the impact of different subject choices Prerequisite and Course Explorer available from late July.

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers VTACmag Available in printed format from newsagents ($7.95 RRP inc. GST) and as an eMagazine ($4.49). Engaging content about the VTAC process and tertiary study options in general Advice on choosing courses Interviews with prominent graduates 30 Minute Mentor List of all VTAC institutions In newsagents and online late July.

Higher Education courses
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Course types VET courses Certificate II Certificate III Certificate IV Diploma Advanced Diploma Higher Education courses Undergraduate Advanced Diploma Associate Degrees Bachelor Masters Graduate entry teaching There are two types of courses through VTAC: Higher education and VET courses. They are colour coded differently. Year 12 students ignore Grad and GET, they are for adults with existing qualifications. Course codes ending in ‘1’ are government subsidised. Course codes ending in ‘2’ are fee based domestic courses Course codes ending in ‘3’ are international fee based courses

Course entries Use the arrows to expand sections
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Course entries Use the arrows to expand sections Every course entry contains: Course name Qualification name Campuses offered Course overview Major studies Selection criteria Selection data Course name vs. Qualification name Campuses – different course codes, select the right one when applying Selection data, selection criteria covered in later slides

Selection data explained
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Selection data explained Applicants for an example course selecting on ATAR with 4 places and 6 applicants: ATAR Offered a place? Mel 95.00 Yes Geri 90.00 + subject bonus = rank Victoria 85.00 Emma 80.00 No AJ 75.00 + SEAS = rank Howie 70.00 Clearly-in is 85.00: everyone at this ATAR or above received an offer % below: One out of four offers was made to an applicant with an ATAR below 85.00, so the % below is 25% A course has a specific number of places available each year Usually, there are more applicants than places available Selection Officers for each course rank applicants based on the criteria specified in the Selection Criteria for each course. Explain that the clearly-in is the point above which everyone who applied for a course received an offer based on their ATAR % below could be due to SEAS, subject bonus, consideration of work experience

Year 12 (Y12) Non-Year 12 (NY12) Applicant types
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Applicant types Year 12 (Y12) Non-Year 12 (NY12) Current year 12 students Previously completed year 12 with no post-secondary studies or have post-secondary studies up to Certificate III level Previously attempted or completed post secondary study at certificate IV or above, or Currently enrolled in Year 12 but also have cert. IV or above, or Has no secondary studies and no post-secondary studies at certificate IV or above. The vast majority of current Year 12 students will be Year 12 applicants. The only exception is if they have a completed Cert IV that is NOT already part of their VCE study program. Year 12 applicants basically include those applicants who only have a year 12 qualification, irrespective of how many years ago they left school. Other applicants are everyone else, irrespective of when they left school. Year 12 applicants need to read the detail of selection requirements, additional considerations and enrolment considerations. You will be automatically informed of your Y12/NY12 classification after registering with VTAC

Selection criteria Prerequisites Selection requirements
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Selection criteria Prerequisites Studies that must be successfully completed to be considered for a course For example: minimum study score of 25 in English (Any). Selection requirements Additional requirements that must be completed by applicants For example: sitting a test, presenting a folio, submission of an additional form, attending an interview or audition. Enrolment considerations Tasks that should be completed prior to enrolling or starting a course For example: Working With Children Check, police check, physical requirements Additional considerations Factors that are not compulsory, but if applicable may boost an application For example: subject bonus, work experience Prerequisites: For example: minimum study score of 25 in English (Any). Selection requirements: For example: sitting a test, presenting a folio, submission of an additional form, attending an interview or audition. Enrolment considerations: For example: Working With Children Check, police check, physical requirements Additional considerations: For example: subject bonus, work experience

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Create a VTAC account All VTAC applications are completed online using the same VTAC ID and PIN Creating an account is a simple question-based process If the questions are answered accurately, you will be informed of your correct Y12/NY12 classification If you have a student who is currently enrolled, they are current! If they get this question wrong, we do check. If a student gets this question wrong the following automatically happens: They will be charged the full processing fee – not the current year 12 processing fee. VTAC will not look for the VCE results when they are released in December and their results and ATAR won’t be matched to their course application. What to do if they get it wrong: Tell the student to telephone immediately. If the processing fee hasn’t been paid, then it can probably be fixed. If the processing fee has been paid, there is no reimbursement. There is no point contacting schools liaison unless the student themselves makes direct contact with the customer service area, nothing can be changed.

Tips for your VTAC account
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Tips for your VTAC account Only create one VTAC account For current Year 12 applicants, use a personal, not school address Choose a secure PIN and security questions Nominate a proxy if needed VTAC cannot discuss your application with anyone except you (not even your parents) unless you have specified an authorised nominee when registering. One registration only To correct errors, change the details online or call VTAC. Do not create another registration. For current Year 12 applicants, use a personal, not school address Some school addresses are deactivated by the time offer s are sent Four digit PIN Lost PINs can be retrieved from the log in form. Nominate a proxy if needed VTAC cannot discuss your application with anyone except you (not even your parents) unless you have specified an authorised nominee when registering.

VTAC account Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference Offers VTAC account Highlight location of message inbox – a copy also sent to

Applying for courses List up to eight courses/institutions
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Applying for courses List up to eight courses/institutions Preference order – always list courses in the order you want to get into them To add course preferences: Select institution and/or course or type in the course code. To move a course on the preference list use the up/down buttons. To delete a course use the x button. Be careful with X button

After submitting course application
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers After submitting course application Application receipt sent by and in user account Submit payment by the closing date Unpaid applications are not submitted to institutions Complete any applicable selection requirements E.g. personal statement, providing any documents requested by VTAC Apply for SEAS and Scholarships Change preferences and update personal information

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Personal statement A statement for course selection officers to consider, completed online through the VTAC user account Writing prompts include your motivation for study, academic performance, and previous relevant work experience If not specified as a requirement by the course, selection officers are not obliged to consider the information provided Usually not required for current Year 12 applicants; check course entries Advise students not to waste selection officers’ time by completing this form unless it’s required or relevant. Many courses include this in Additional considerations and ask applicants to complete it if they have ‘relevant’ work experience. The same statement is provided to all courses on your preferences list (except the course-specific statement) Four general questions plus one course-specific statement for each preference. The VTAC Personal statement may be used as either a selection requirement or additional consideration. For most Y12 selection requirements, the form is only required if the applicant has relevant work experience or if they have been out of school for a few years. Ensure your students read the detail carefully.

Admissions Tests (STAT and ALSET)
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Admissions Tests (STAT and ALSET) Read the Selection Criteria carefully to check whether you need to sit an admissions test If a course does not specify that you need to sit the STAT or ALSET, they are not obliged to consider your results when making selection decisions The ALSET is used only by Deakin Law courses Current Year 12 students are not required to sit either test If audience is entirely Y12, can skip this slide.

Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) Primarily for students who have suffered long-term disadvantage Except: Category 1 (Personal Information and Location) – everyone should apply SEAS allows selection officers at institutions to grant special consideration for course entry to applicants.

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers What can SEAS do? ATAR Offered a place? Mel 95.00 Yes Geri 90.00 + subject bonus = rank Victoria 85.00 Emma 80.00 No AJ 75.00 + SEAS = rank Howie 70.00 SEAS does not exempt you from meeting course requirements. You must study course prerequisites, attend all interviews, sit any required tests, and submit all required folios and forms. SEAS is not a guaranteed entry scheme or reserved quota, but may allow you to gain entry to a course with a lower ATAR than otherwise Show how in the example from earlier, special consideration through SEAS allowed AJ to get an offer ahead of Emma, even though AJ’s ATAR was lower.

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Applying for SEAS SEAS application becomes available after a course application is submitted All applicants (Y12 and NY12) can apply for SEAS All of the categories will be on one page Apply for as many categories as are applicable, but do not claim the same circumstances under multiple categories

SEAS categories Category 1: Personal information and location
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers SEAS categories Category 1: Personal information and location As simple as ticking a box All applicants should apply for this category Category 2: Difficult circumstances E.g. disruption to living situation, affected by illness or death of relative/friend, natural disaster, refugee status Category 3: Disadvantaged financial background Category 4: Disability or medical condition Do not claim the same circumstances under multiple categories

SEAS documentation Where needed:
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers SEAS documentation Where needed: Impact statement – written by applicant Statement of support – written by relevant responsible person Impact statements without an accompanying statement of support will not be considered. For more information about SEAS documentation, visit

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Scholarships VTAC collects scholarship applications for many institutions One application, many institutions Scholarships are not just for academic performance Many equity scholarships have similar documentation requirements to SEAS Statements must be submitted separately for each using the correct coversheet. List of scholarships available on the VTAC website Including scholarships which require direct applications to institutions

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Change of Preference You can change your course preferences free-of-charge as many times as you like while Change of Preference is open Change of Preference opens at the same time as course applications; closes a short time before each offer round; and reopens at 10am the day after each offer round (until the last round).

Change of Preference stays open
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Change of Preference stays open Remember, even though you can change your preferences between offer rounds, the majority of offers are made in Round 1. Some courses may fill all their places in earlier rounds, so it is important to consider your preferences carefully prior to Round 1 Full list of offer rounds and opening and closing dates at Emphasise that change of preference AFTER Round 1 is more of a backup/emergency option. Far fewer offers are available at this point.

Offers are available on the release date by:
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Accessing your offer Offers are available on the release date by: In your VTAC account (If you gave permission) in newspaper supplements The offer advice will contain a message from the institution with enrolment instructions. One offer per round ed to applicants from midnight on the day of offer release Available online in the VTAC user account Published in newspaper supplements (if permission was given during application)

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Responding to an offer To accept an offer, follow the instructions in the offer advice to enrol at the institution. No separate acceptance notification to VTAC is needed. To defer an offer, contact the institution. Not all courses allow deferment. To reject an offer, take no action. The offer will automatically lapse if you have not enrolled by the deadline. One offer per round ed to applicants from midnight on the day of offer release Available online in the VTAC account Published in newspaper supplements (if permission was given during application)

Didn’t get an offer, or the offer you wanted?
Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Didn’t get an offer, or the offer you wanted? You will be automatically considered for any higher preferences in future offer rounds When Change of Preference reopens, consider adding other backup course options Preferences can now be changed between all five rounds In 2015, approx. 80% of offers were made in Round 1 Use the selection data to help you find courses in a realistic range

Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers Supplementary offers For applicants who have given permission and not yet received an offer Institutions will contact you directly to suggest courses which still have vacancies Some institutions may make supplementary offers after Round 2 if they have places available. Applicants may receive supplementary offers if they have: not received an offer in any of the previous offer rounds (Early, Round 1, Round 2); and not been granted an offer for a negotiated offer; and have given VTAC permission to release their application to all courses with vacancies. Applicants give this permission at the time of applying, or later in their VTAC account. Supplementary offers will be processed weekly throughout February 2017. If an applicant receives two or more offers at the same time, they will need to choose which offer to accept – applicants cannot accept more than one offer.

The ATAR

The ATAR Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank
The ATAR is not a score out of 100; it is a rank between 0.00 and An ATAR of means in the top 25% of the Year 12 age group. Many courses select on factors other than the ATAR The ATAR is not a score. 50 is not a pass. It is not out of 100, it is a rank between 0.00 and The ATAR is developed from an aggregate produced by adding results for up to six studies as follows: One of the English group (English, EAL, Literature or English Language) plus the next best three. This makes up the Primary Four. We then add 10% of any fifth and sixth permissible scores that are available (increments). Before we start let’s get a few things out of the way: Who thinks that if you do studies that are scaled up you will get a better ATAR than if you do studies that are scaled down? Who thinks if you do a Language you get 5 extra ATAR points?

The ATAR and scaling process
VCAA Responsible for assessment of studies Determines performance of individuals in each study Produces raw Study Score (mean = 30) VTAC Calculates ATAR based on Study Scores, so need to ensure a 30 in one study = 30 in all others Adjusts study scores by looking at competition (scaling) Based on scaled Study Scores, ensuring that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged because of their subject choice Explain that raw study scores are standardised for each study only, so are not comparable.. ATAR

Scaling is about the strength of competition
Explain the diagram. Scaling is performed fresh every year, it’s not about “easy” vs. “hard” subjects.

+ Calculating the ATAR “Primary 4”: Highest score from English group
Three other highest scoring studies + 5th and/or 6th increment 2015 2014 In this example you can see the grades for each study. The study score allocated by the VCAA. VTAC has then taken those study scores and scaled them to ensure that a 35 in English Language is equivalent to a 35 in Visual Communication and Design. Some of these have been scaled up and others have been scaled down. Based on the principles of using: English, the next best three and 10% of a fifth and/or sixth study we have an aggregate. This aggregate is converted into an ATAR.

Don’t rely on scaling alone
2015 2014 If you choose a study that you are not very good at simply because it will be scaled up, the study score you receive will be a lot lower than what you could expect in a study you are good at and that interests you. While your score will be scaled up, it is unlikely that your VTAC scaled study score would be any higher than if you had chosen a more suitable study, even one that is scaled down. The way to ensure that you achieve your best ATAR is to choose your studies according to what you are interested in, what you are good at, and what studies you need for future study. Jade chose four studies that were scaled up. Jade did not excel in any of her studies and even though four of her six studies were scaled up including a VCE Language study, the ATAR was still not as high as it might have been if she had chosen studies based on what she was good at, interested in and enjoyed.

www.vtac.edu.au Contact details Remember:
For more information and to apply: Questions? Call VTAC on VTAC through the VTAC website Send us a private message on Facebook (facebook.com/vtacguide) or DM us Find more information at blog.vtac.edu.au Connect with VTAC on social media for timely reminders and tips Applications open in August Use CourseSearch and the VTAC CourseSearch App to find courses One application, eight preferences Apply for SEAS category 1 (and other categories if appropriate) Apply for scholarships Change of Preference is open before and between offer rounds Leave contact details on screen and take questions

Applying for tertiary study in Victoria

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Applying for tertiary study in Victoria"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Applying for tertiary study in Victoria

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Applying for tertiary study in Victoria"— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback