University applications FAQ's

Considering applying for university?

Read on and click on the relevant links to assist you in your application.


Still not sure what course to apply for?

Click on the links to help you find your university course:


Want to check out a university?


When can I apply?

Early admission:

  • You can apply via Early Admission directly through the university (see below for universities & open dates)

Universities Admission Centre (UAC):

  • Why apply through UAC?

  1. if your course is not available for Early Admission, or

  2. if you want to apply for early offer through the Schools Recommendation Scheme, or

  3. if you have encountered significant educational challenges and apply for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS), or

  4. if you demonstrate financial need and want to apply for an equity scholarship, or

  5. you don't receive an offer via Early Admissions, or

  6. you are not happy with your Early Admission offer.

  • UAC is now open, but I suggest you don't apply (and make payment) until your Early Admissions offers have been released (unless you are applying for scholarships & schemes) . This will save you the $82 early bird fee. Early bird processing fee deadline is 30 Sept. You can still apply via UAC after this date, however the processing fee will be $215 (until 6 Feb 2026).

  • Personal email address: register with your personal email address and a password. You will then be sent an email to validate your details.

  • Year 12 student number and UAC PIN: UAC emailed UAC PINs to NSW students on 2 April 2025 using the email addresses NESA have on file. If you didn't receive this email, please call UAC on (+61 2) 9752 0200. Also remember to register a personal email address in your NESA Students Online account.


  • By entering your Year 12 student number and UAC PIN, you will be able to apply for an early offer through the Schools Recommendation Scheme. 

  • Unique Student Identifier (USI): At the request of institutions, this is now a mandatory field for domestic applicants who are Australian citizens. You can quickly and easily create their USI or check if they already have one


What is early entry?

Some universities and Tertiary Admissions Centres (TACs) have programs in place that allow them to process applications for specific programs that allow offers to be issued before the main rounds begin after the academic year is over. By applying for one of these programs, you could receive an offer earlier than if you apply through the normal process, often before you’ve even sat your end of year exams.

It’s a way to give you some peace of mind knowing you have a place secured at university next year and one less thing to stress about during exam time.

Who is eligible to apply for early entry?

Each program has it’s own eligibility criteria, but here are some of the most common:

  • Academic achievement
  • Community involvement, e.g. volunteering
  • Leadership roles, e.g. school leader, team captain
  • Disadvantage – consideration of factors that may have cause challenges to your studies during your final years e.g. financial, social, or physical

If there’s a program you’re really interested in applying for but you’re unsure if you meet the criteria, it’s definitely worth doing some more research. Get in touch with the university or TAC and ask what your options might be.

Which universities have early entry programs?

A lot of universities now provide early entry programs. Here’s a list:

Don’t see your chosen university on this list? You might like to contact them directly anyway and ask about their pathway options.

Note: many of these programs are still showing information from 2024, and it is up to the university whether they will be offered again in 2025. Dates, courses, and eligibility requirements are subject to change.

When can I expect to receive an early offer?

Each program is different; some of them might send you an offer within a couple of weeks of submitting your application, while for others you may need to wait until later in the year. But all of them will send out offers earlier than the normal application timeline.

However, in 2024 in Australia the Universities Accord recommendation was adopted that “university offers to secondary school students in 2025 and 2026 should not be issued before September in the preceding year.”

When do applications open?

Some programs are opening now or very soon, and closing dates can come around as quick as the end of Term 2. So make sure that you carefully check the key dates for all the programs you’re interested in to ensure you don’t miss out.

What is a conditional offer?

If you receive an offer, be proud! It means that the university definitely sees your potential and thinks you’ll be a great candidate to study with them. Usually, the offer you’ll receive will be “conditional” – basically, this means it comes with conditions. For example, your offer might be conditional on you achieving a certain ATAR or completing specific subjects.

If you fail to meet the conditions of your offer, it might expire. But you can still always apply through the normal processes, as well as see what your alternative pathway options are.

What’s the difference between guaranteed and conditional offers?

Guaranteed offers are much less common than conditional offers. As the name suggests, once you receive a guaranteed offer, your place at university is secured, no matter what.

But do note that some conditions still apply in extreme circumstances (e.g. not finishing Year 12 may void your guaranteed offer). Make sure you thoroughly check the small print before accepting any offer.

What are the advantages of applying for early entry?

If you’re still unsure about whether to apply, here are a few benefits to consider:

  • Get the applications requirements out of the way now, instead of worrying about it when you’re already busy with study
  • Enjoy the security of knowing you already have an offer before going into exams
  • Many programs have scholarships, bursaries, and other perks affiliated with them
  • It can help you concentrate better on schoolwork later in the year
  • You could get a head start on getting organised for life at university
  • If you’ll be moving away from home, you can get your accommodation applications in early
  • You could save money, as the majority of early entry program applications are free (whereas TACs charge a fee for the application process)
  • There’s no commitment – you don’t have to accept any offers and can still apply through the traditional route later in the year

How many early entry programs can I apply for?

As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for every early entry program on offer. There are no limits, and applying for one program will never make you ineligible for another.

What happens if I receive more than one early offer?

There is a chance you could receive multiple offers, and there’s nothing wrong with that – it just broadens your choices. But you can only accept one of them. So think carefully before making any final decision, and of course don’t forget to reply to your other offers with a ‘no’.

What happens if I don’t receive any early offers?

You might be disappointed if you don’t receive an offer, but that’s about as serious as it gets. You can still apply to the same university and course through the traditional application system: Universities Admission Centre (UAC) later in the year:

UAC: Apply for undergraduate study

If you don't receive an "early admission" offer, or you are not happy with what you have been offered, you can apply via UAC. Undergraduate study is your first level of tertiary study, such as a bachelor degree, diploma or preparation program. This application is for domestic students (Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and holders of Australian permanent resident humanitarian visas):

Before you start

  • You can apply or log in between 7.30am and 11.59pm (Sydney time).

  • There is a processing charge of $82.00 AUD until 30 Sept, then the charge increases to $215. Your application is not complete until you have paid. You can pay using Mastercard, Visa or PayPal.

After you apply

  • Do not submit more than one application in each admissions year. Duplicate applications will be cancelled. Simply log back in to your application to update your contact details, qualifications or course preferences.

  • Offers are made on specific dates throughout the year. There are application deadlines for each offer round.

Courses starting in semester 1, 2026 will become available for selection as details are confirmed. To complete your application now, select another course then log back in later and change your course preferences. All courses should be available for selection by August 2025.

UAC updates for parents and carers

UAC provides resources and support for parents and carers. Click on the link for access to resources on a range of topics, from selecting HSC subjects in Year 10 and deciding whether to drop a course in Year 11, to ATARs, accepting an offer to a tertiary course and more.

Parents of Year 12 students are also encouraged to subscribe to our digital newsletter for parents, the UAC Update for Parents, for the latest information, deadlines and advice to support their student on their journey to university. 


Contact me if you have any questions.

Kind Regards,


Mrs Williams


Fleur Williams

Careers Advisor | Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts

4229 6844 | fleur.williams@det.nsw.edu.au

Careers google classroom

http://wollongonghspacareers.com/




Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts
Address: Lysaght Street Fairy Meadow NSW 2519
Phone: 02 4229 6844
Email: wollongong-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Web: wollongong-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

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