Tertiary Course Information

Exam Exemption Criteria for Victoria Police Applicants

Recent changes have expanded the exam exemption criteria for Victoria Police applicants. Applicants may be exempt from the exam if:

They are currently:

• undertaking a Bachelor of Criminology (or similar) at an Australian, New Zealand or United Kingdom university, and are in their final year of study, or
  • a Victorian Public Service (VPS) employee (VPSG3 or above), or
  • employed by Victoria Police (all classifications and tenures).

In the last five years they have:

• passed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent in Australia, with:
  • an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 65 or above, and
    • a minimum score of 25 in English, or
• completed a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in an arts, science, humanities, business or law discipline at an Australian, New Zealand or United Kingdom university, or
• were employed in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on a full-time basis (this exemption does not apply to ADF Reservists).

For further information and exemptions please visit the Victoria Police website.

New Laws/Psychological Science Double Degree in2026

Deakin University has just announced that it will be offering the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science from 2026.  This double degree will be offered at both the Burwood and Geelong Waterfront Campus and has been designed for students to develop legal expertise and psychological insight to understand human behaviour and justice systems.  

The VTAC code for the Burwood Campus is 1400512291, and for the Waterfront Campus it is 1400412291. As this is a new course no ATAR is available.

Current Year 12’s interested in applying for this new course can add it to their VTAC preferences up until Saturday 13 December 2025 at 12.00pm.

Changes to the Bachelor of Laws

UNSW is making changes to the admissions process for the Bachelor of Laws. 2025 will be the last year we offer the Law Admission Test (LAT) for entry into UNSW's Bachelor of Laws programs. The LAT will not be included in the entry requirements for students seeking entry in 2027 and beyond.

Find out more about studying law at UNSW by browsing Bachelor of Laws 

Foundation Studies at ACU

Foundation Studies offers a pathway for students without a recognised Year 12 qualification. The program develops subject knowledge across key areas while preparing students for university-level study. Delivered in a supportive environment, students receive all required resources and guidance for a smooth transition to undergraduate study. The program can be completed on campus or online, and ACU covers the full cost.  

Students who have a Year 12 qualification have the option to complete the program via accelerated mode (one-semester full-time) or part-time (two-semesters).  

Find out more at ACU Foundation Studies.

News from Federation Uni

PATHWAYS TO FED UNI: If you thought that university was not for you because you don’t have the academic background or the study skills, or if you have finished year 12 but do not have the entry requirements you need to start a degree, the Foundation Access Studies program (FAST) may be the pathway for you.

Students who have completed the VCE Major or an unscored VCE can apply for the Foundation Access Studies (FAST) Program at Federation University. FAST is a single semester program designed to teach students effective study techniques, including academic writing, research, use of university systems and how to apply these skills to their studies. When students have successfully completed FAST, they are guaranteed a place in one of Federation University's undergraduate degrees.

Entry Requirements - a study score of at least 18 in any English; and the Mathematics unit FASTP1013, the prerequisite is Year 10 Mathematics (or equivalent).  Federation Access Studies (FAST) for Engineering and Mathematical Sciences - a study score of at least 18 in any English and either satisfactory completion of Units 1 and 2: Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics or satisfactory completion of Units 3 and 4: of General mathematics. All applicants who have not met the English and Maths pre-requisites through their Year 12 results will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy test to determine their eligibility for admission. 

In order to qualify for entry into FAST for Engineering, applicants need to complete the Technical Maths entry test.

Applications to the FAST program should be made via VTAC. Find out more information at Foundation Study of Access Program (FAST).

Guaranteed Pathways for Bachelor of Design Students

All University of Melbourne Bachelor of Design graduates who continue into a Melbourne School of Design graduate program will have guaranteed entry, no portfolio or personal statement required. To qualify, students must:

1. Achieve a minimum 65% WAM in the Bachelor of Design.

2. Complete the corresponding major for their preferred Master’s program. 

3. Apply within 2 semesters of completion of the Bachelor of Design.

Examples include:

• Architecture major pathway into the Master of Architecture
• Construction major pathway into the Master of Construction Management
• Landscape Architecture major pathway into the Master of Landscape Architecture
• Property major pathway into the Master of Property
• Urban Planning major pathway into the Master of Urban Planning.  Find out more at Guaranteed and Flexible Undergraduate to Graduate Degree Pathways.