Pathways and Transition

John XXIII College Pathways Career Tools 

On the front cover of Seqta 

https://pathways.johnxxiii.edu.au/

Alternative pathways to higher education

If you are considering university studies but think that you won't qualify for entry, there are a range of support programs and different pathways available to you.

University entry has historically been achievable by successful completion of year 12 and gaining an ATAR score at the minimum level or above for a particular course. While this pathway continues to be an effective one for many, it is not the only way to access further education at university.

You may have:

• not studied the prerequisite subjects for your chosen course
• not achieved an adequate ATAR score for entry
• left education early and want to return to studies
• not studied for a long time (eg due to family duties) and want to return to studies.

New alternative entry points have recently been developed and are available to assist a broader field of applicants such as you to access university level education. Most universities within Australia are developing and offering a range of 'alternative entry pathways'.

Eight alternative entry points to higher education

1. Enabling courses

Enabling courses can be used to develop entry level skills for university studies. These courses can provide foundational skills for successful university careers. 

Enabling courses are often offered over one semester and are administered in smaller, highly supported groups that help you to acclimatise to the university environment and develop skills in academic studying and writing. Successful completion will often guarantee entry to your course of choice, including credit for one unit.

2. Enabling outreach courses

Some larger universities are now offering outreach services, similar to the enabling courses above, but with more assisted learning and smaller groups. You may be interested in these courses if you want to enter tertiary education using a highly supported entry point. Some universities work with community organisations and job search agencies to deliver the courses in more accessible locations.

3. Bridging courses

Similar to enabling courses, bridging courses give you an opportunity to further develop skills in prerequisite areas (eg science) before you enter your chosen course of study.

4. Special Tertiary Admissions Test

If you are 'mature age' (in many states, over 19 in the year of application) there are further options. You can sit a Special Tertiary Admissions Test, which is usually done in one day and which includes a general intelligence element and an essay. You will get a score that can be used instead of an ATAR in applying for a university course.

Local colleges often offer preparation courses to assist you to understand the test format and reduce anxiety in sitting the test.

5. Vocational education and training (VET) and TAFE pathways

Many universities and TAFEs have an agreed pathway arrangement where you can start a course at Certificate III or IV, continue to diploma level and transition into a specified university level course. 

For many learners, this is a preferable process, as it offers short-term goals, an opportunity to re-enter study for a shorter period and an opportunity to gain confidence, while building skills and benefiting from clear progress points along the way. Sometimes a university will give credit for work (usually at diploma/advanced diploma) level and advanced standing into your course of choice, reducing your overall time in study.

6. Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

CRL (previously RPL or recognition of prior learning) is another approach if you have previous study or work experience (paid or voluntary), and can demonstrate certain skills in an area. Each institution has its own preferred method of applying CRL and should be contacted directly.

7. Portfolio entry

Whether you are a school leaver or mature entry candidate, portfolio entry allows you to apply for a place using a combination of courses, vocational education course results, training, endorsed programs, an introductory letter, resume and letters of support.

8. VET in schools

In high school, you may choose not to work towards university entry through an ATAR. Some students' learning styles are better supported in the Vocational Education & Training (VET) system. VET programs offered through your school may help you gain entry to your chosen field of study. For example, you may choose a VET course in Certificate III Health Services. After years 11–12, that could be followed by a Certificate IV in Preparation for Nursing, then a Diploma of Nursing. That could then create a pathway to university and there may be an opportunity to apply credits to a nursing course. 

New Pathway for Creative Course Applicants! 

Do you know any non-ATAR students with creative talent?  

From 2021, many of our Creative Courses will offer high school leavers the opportunity to apply using a creative portfolio for course entry. 

If you know an aspiring designer, photographer, filmmaker or artist who is not taking ATAR, click here to find out more about our Creative Arts Portfolio Entry Pathway.  

Fashion Weekend Workshops

ECU’s Fashion Weekend Workshops provide an introduction to creative draping methods for fashion research and construction.

Participants will be shown strategies for generating ideas for garment through sculptural manipulation of cloth and found garment. 

These intensive classes run every Saturday for five consecutive weeks from the 8 May - 5 June, 1pm-4pm, and are taught by Fashion Graduate and Designer in Residence D’arcy Coad.

UNIVERSITY NEWS 

Find out more about W.A. Universities: 

Some universities have published their on campus open dates and others are still online at this stage. Admission pathways for 2022 are still unclear. 

UWA Open Day – Sunday 28 March, 10am–2pm

Find out how we can help you reach your study and career goals. Discover what life’s like on campus with campus tours, learn about our range of courses and chat to current students, staff and graduates.

By registering to attend, you'll go into the draw to win a handpicked student pack, designed by current UWA students and filled with uni life essentials. 

Visit the UWA Residential Colleges at UWA Open Day!

You can chat to our current residents and staff or tour the rooms and facilities at any of the colleges throughout the day. We’ll also be available at the Central Hub on James Oval to answer your queries and show you just how close your future home is to campus!

• Contact us: residentialcolleges@uwa.edu.au
• Find out more: uwa.edu.au/colleges or check out our student stories
• Apply now: livingoncampus.uwa.edu.au

Stay up to date!

We'll be announcing more information shortly on our 2022 admission pathways. Register your details and we'll keep you updated.

Murdoch Campus Day Out

Girls Engineering Tomorrow - Year 11 female students from selected WA schools

The Girls Engineering Tomorrow (GET) program targets senior secondary students studying high-level maths and offers them mentoring support, and exposure to engineering activities, courses, role models and careers.

The program will run for three years (2021 – 2023), with a pilot year in 2021. The program will be an intensive out-of-school course of 10 sessions of 2.5 hours run fortnightly over the school terms two and three at Curtin’s Bentley campus.

Contact Aleesha Davis for more details.

29 January Fogarty Scholarship - Applications Open

The Fogarty Scholarships are awarded to students who apply to UWA who demonstrate outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements. 

The scholarship delivers financial support but the academic extension and networking that the scholarship delivers will ensure lasting support for “Fogarty Scholars”. 

Applications close on 23 May. 

Check out the scholarship HERE.

Curtin Course Updates

• Advanced Biomedical Sciences: Designed for high-ATARstudents, this new course offers two specialisations for students to choose from: Clinical Medical Science and Discovery Bioscience. View course.
   
• Biomedical Sciences: This new course has three specialisations for students to choose from: Human Biomedicine, Molecular Genetics and Pharmacology. View course.
   
• Nutrition and Food Science: Prerequisites for this course have changed. Applicants    need to have completed at least one ATAR course from: Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology,Integrated Science and Physics. View course
   
• Update to Bachelor of Science (nutrition and food science) prerequisite
  Previously, applicants for this course needed to have completed Chemistry ATAR. Applicants are now required to have completed at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Integrated Science or Physics.

Curtin Scholarships

Year 12 students should register now for scholarship alerts.

Throughout the year you will see the sorts of scholarships that are available.

Make applying for scholarships part of your life throughout your university career.

Register for Curtin Scholarship Alerts HERE.

Murdoch Course Updates

• Bachelor of Commerce
  The Bachelor of Commerce will be offered in block mode from 2022, enabling completion in two years (36 credit points full time enrolment each year).
  
  Two majors will be available: Professional Accounting OR HR Management and Analytics. Students will also complete a Professional Business Practice co-major.
• Bachelor of Business
  This will offer a wide range of majors, enabling double major combinations. Majors: Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Banking, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Hospitality & Tourism, International Business, Finance, Management, Business Law,Accounting, Global Business& Politics.
   
• Bachelor of Business can also be studied as a combined degree:
  Bachelor of Agricultural Science/ Bachelor of Business
  Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Business
   
• Bachelor of Agricultural Science
  This is a new course offering majors in Crop and Pasture Science, Animal Health, Animal Science.
  For more details go HERE.
   
• Bachelor of Digital Media and Communication
  If you are interested in a career in online communications, the Bachelor of Digital Media and  Communications is worth checking out. 
  You can find details HERE.
   
• Bachelor of Information Technology and Business
  Any career in business requires a knowledge of IT. This course gives a sound foundation in both. Check details HERE.
   
• New Majors:
  Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems
  Global Challenges
   
• NEW Portfolio Entry
  Portfolio entry is designed for students who perform well in subjects / activities associated to the desired course, and who are motivated toward and capable of university study. 
  The range of courses available has been widened to include sciences and humanities. Find details HERE.
   
• NEW English Requirement
  Murdoch believes that if you have been taught in English for two years as you did your ATAR, your English is good enough for you get through your university course.
  
  Passing your ATAR, without English, will get you a place at Murdoch.

Notre Dame News

Fee changes to benefit undergraduate students.

The University of Notre Dame Australia has become a 'Table A' university under the Higher Education Support Act.

This means:

• Eligible students will have full access to Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and HECS-HELP for all undergraduate degrees at Notre Dame.
• Domestic undergraduate students will now pay the same fees at Notre Dame as if   they were attending a public university.

Notre Dame tops rankings in the Graduate Outcomes Survey

The University of Notre Dame Australia has once again been ranked #1 in Australia for Overall Satisfaction among graduates according to the latest Federal Government’s nationwide Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) 2020 Graduate Outcomes Survey released on 16 November2020.

Notre Dame was also ranked #1 in Australia for

Skills Scale (90.6%), as well as #1 in WA for Full-time Employment (76.6%) and Overall Employment (88.7%) (undergraduate and postgraduate categories).

New Degrees

• Bachelor of Arts (Architecture)
  In this three-year degree, students explore sustainability, housing affordability, ageing-in- place, city living, community building and much more. The degree also allows students to complete a Minor in a complementary discipline such as Archaeology, Environmental Management, Social Justice or History, expanding their career opportunities. Students who wish to registeras an architect can progress to the Masters of Architecture at Notre Dame.
   
• Screen Arts Major
  Notre Dame’s newly-launched Screen Arts Major equips students with communication and production skills to work with screen content and screen technologies across a range of industries. Our internship opportunities will ensure they receive industry experience and graduate prepared for themulti-disciplinary media landscape.
  
  Screen Arts can be studied in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Communications & Media, or as an elective as part of another degree. It is ideally paired with our Journalism Major or our new Photo media specialization. The Majors in Theatre Studies and Film & Screen Production have combined to become the new ScreenArts Major.

New UWA Degrees 

• Bachelor of Business: ATAR 75
• Bachelor of Music: ATAR 75
• Bachelor of Environmental Design: ATAR 75
• Bachelor of Automation and Robotics: ATAR 88
• Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics: ATAR 90
• Bachelor of AdvancedComputer Science (Honours): ATAR 92

Careers and Employability Award

The UWA Careers and Employability Award program encourages students to further develop knowledge and skills through practical, real world experiences to prepare for future careers. Students can access career development and practical activities which will enhance employment. Additionally, students receive an industry-recognised award that verifies enhanced practical skills.

ECU What’s New

Creative Arts Portfolio Entry for:

• Bachelor of Design, majoring in any of Fashion, Visual and Spatial Design, or Games and Interactive Design
• Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Visual Arts
• Bachelor of Media & Communication, majoring in Photo-media or Screen Production
• You can find details HERE.

CQU Year 12 Applications Open Now

Principal Recommendation Scheme

The Principal Recommendation Scheme is an ideal entry pathway for all Year 12 students to CQ University's undergraduate courses whether you’re studying ATAR or not.

This means that as a Year 12 student applying for university, you no longer need to wait for    your Year 12 results to receive an early offer for your course*.

To be eligible you must:

• Be studying year 12
• Provide a letter of recommendation from your Principal  Applications now open.

Apply or find out more at cqu.edu.au/prs

1 March Applications for University Medical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Open

Students wishing to study medicine can register for the UCAT Here.

Testing begins on 1 July and you may take the test only once per year. The final day to take the test is 11 August. Results will be delivered to universities in early September.

Essential reading is  HERE.

Students wishing to undertake medicine in WA should apply using the normal TISC process.

Students wishing to apply for medicine in another state should look up specific requirements for their university of choice.

There are no scheduled Getting into Medicine presentations at Curtin, UWA or Notre Dame at this time. Notre Dame believes it will do an online presentation like that which was so successful last year.

Overseas Study Information Sessions

Apply to American Universities with Education USA 

https://au.usembassy.gov/education-culture/educationusa-australia/

Thinking of studying in the UK?

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/international-and-eu-students/why-study-uk

Exam and study revision Programs

https://www.reviseonline.com/

Specialises in providing online education. It provides teaching resources and support as well as practice tests and exams.

http://www.atarget.com.au/store/atar-programs/april-2021-revision-and-exam-preparation-program

ATAR Revision, ATAR Exam Preparation and Study Skills programs focus on strengthening students’ understanding of subjects, boosting classroom confidence and improving examination performance.

https://academicgroup.com.au/course/holiday-programs/

Specialist teachers work with students showing them how to apply what they have learnt at school, how to prepare for their exams and how to maximize their exam performance.

Intensive revision of the syllabus and assessment preparation, including the effective modelling of answers to ATAR-style exam questions.

 http://www.mastermindaustralia.com.au/atar-master-class-revision-courses.html

ATAR Revision, ATAR Exam Preparation and Study Skills programs focus on strengthening students’ understanding of subjects, boosting classroom confidence and improving examination performance.

 http://www.waceplus.com.au/

Defence Force Gap Year 

• Spend 12-months in the Navy, Army or Air Force, where you get paid and gain skills is an option for school leavers. 
• sign up for updates on deadlines HERE.

Applications are now open! 

Defence Jobs Australia - Discover your path in an ADF GAP year

If you would like an apprenticeship or traineeship while at school find out more here HERE

2021 WA Apprenticeship and Traineeships intake guide 

Someone asked Tom about when apprenticeships and traineeships would be advertised. He said that they publish an Intake Guide. Linda Winter from CCIWA sent this through. It has great information including dates when a number of apprenticeships and traineeships will be advertised.

Where to get good information about Gap Years for 2022

If you think a Gap Year could be a good option for you in 2022 you can find out about them at Youth Central which is a Victorian government site. The information about your options and what to be careful of is just as relevant to students in WA. 

• The Youth Central site has information on studying overseas, scholarships and links to further information.
• If you choose to take a gap year but think you might want to go to university later, you should still apply through the normal TISC process in August/September, then defer for a year once you get offered a place.

Leeuwin Ocean Adventures

The 5+ day voyages on the Sail Training Ship Leeuwin ll are a  SCSA Endorsed Program. Students may record up to 3 WACE Units and have their achievements recorded on the WASSA. 

Curtin University Learning Futures Network membership allows the voyage to be recognised as evidence for Scholarships and Alternative Pathway Portfolio Entry.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) students may apply for the Future Connect Voyage. 

Calendar of Events

Lyn Alexander

Head of Pathways and Transition

Lyn.alexander@cewa.edu.au

9383 0416