In focus: Open Days, VTAC, Key Dates, SEAS and Scholarships

Open Season

This is a super busy time of the year for tertiary institutions with most offering on campus opportunities in the form of Open Days. Any students and their career supporters are encouraged to attend, but it is especially recommended for students in Year 10 – 12 considering further study post-school. 

You can find a list of Open Days nationally on My Future. I have also attached the super helpful resource from Compass Career News which lists key open days (Victoria centric) and suggestions.

The following excerpt is from Deakin, but it can be fairly generically applied across most institutions. Most of us wouldn’t purchase a car or house without prior inspection and the same approach is strongly advised for tertiary study, after all, it is a big investment! So, with this in mind:

• Register for any open days of interest
• Attend information sessions
• Chat to institution staff and students
• Take a tour of the facilities
• Find out about the services and opportunities available
• If you are unable to make the Open Day, see if there are any School Holiday Campus Events, Virtual Tours, Information Webinars and/or On-Demand (Recorded) Information Sessions.

Key Dates for Tertiary Applications for 2024 Entry

Year 12 students, you are now able to apply for university and TAFE courses across Australia. For most courses, you apply via state-based Tertiary Admission Centres. 

You will need access to a computer or smart phone, your student ID (VCAA) number, your USI and a PayPal account or credit/debit card. 

You will be able to apply for special consideration, some access and equity scholarships and some early entry/guaranteed programs via the Tertiary Admission Centres.

Year 12 students are reminded of the key application dates for all states:

Australia wide search www.courseseeker.edu.au 

Australia wide comparison tool www.compared.edu.au/

Help with VTAC – Digital Resources

Information about tertiary courses commencing next year is now available through VTAC CourseSearch. Any amendments to published information, including new or cancelled courses, will be published on the Course Updates page.

The 2023 Open Day schedule is also available as is our new fact sheet on early offers.

Applications for courses commencing early 2024 will open at 9am Monday 31 July. 

The online VTAC Year 12 Guide and the downloadable VTAC Tertiary Research guide are designed to provide students with useful information regarding course research and the application processes for entry to tertiary study in Victoria in 2024. The VTAC Media YouTube page also contains some super informative videos. While students who like to have a practice run on things (Creating a VTAC account, Course Application and SEAS application) will benefit from using the VTAC Demos Page. 

Some students may also wish to register for VTAC webinars relating to applying, results and offers, etc. To find out more check the VTAC Events page. Recordings of sessions are placed on the VTAC Media YouTube page.

Year 12 students are encouraged to browse these resources and begin to familiarise themselves with what lies ahead over the coming months.

Also available on the the VTAC homepage:

Year 10 Guide assists students in choosing senior secondary studies for the right reason. It contains information about researching tertiary education, choosing senior secondary subjects, and how the ATAR is calculated.

Year 11 Guide provides information about researching tertiary education, choosing year 12 studies, and understanding the ATAR.

Useful Tips for a University Degree Wannabe (UDW)

UDW: definition - a person who is convinced they want to go to University but are not sure where or exactly what they want to study!  Also suffers from ATAR anxiety.

• Choose a degree that allows some flexibility in selecting a sequence of units that is right for you (sometime called generalist degrees as opposed to specialist degrees).
• Make sure the program offers opportunities for practical work experience (sometimes called Industry Based Learning)
• Do not base your decision solely on what your friends are doing
• LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!!  Make sure travel time from your residence to the campus is within what you are willing and able to do on a day to- day basis
• Do not just pick courses based on ATAR alone
• Do your research
• Build options into your plan
• Consider VET study as a way of getting a taste of an area and to secure a less expensive and time intensive qualification.

Pathways Programs to University 

Year 12 students are encouraged to build options into their career plan. Sometimes students do not quite meet the entry criteria to go straight into a university course – maybe their ATAR was not high enough, or they did not attain the minimum study score in a prerequisite subject. The encouraging thing is that many universities have recommended pathway courses to degrees they offer. Please book an appointment with Careers if you wish to discuss some of the Pathways Programs available.

Private colleges and TAFE institutes

You will need to apply directly to some institutes. Each private college and TAFE institute will set their own application dates and selection requirements.

Study Assist and Beyond School Study Guide – How to finance further study?

Individuals considering further study beyond school are strongly encouraged to check out the Study Assist webpage which outlines key details for Year 12s relating to tertiary study, different pathways, government assistance and loan programs. 

Scholarships

Students applying for tertiary study are strongly encouraged to consider and apply for any relevant scholarships. Scholarships recognise high achievers, support students who have faced difficult circumstances, help regional and rural students through relocation and accommodation grants, and encourage Indigenous students to enter higher education. Applying for scholarships may be as simple as ticking a box in your VTAC application or involve a more extensive process. The type, value and duration of scholarships vary. Extensive (though not exhaustive) info on the wide range of scholarships available to students seeking tertiary study can be found on the VTAC website > Scholarships section. Year 12 students (and their family) may also like to see the Compass Careers Scholarships Resource and the Study Work Grow Coops Scholarships Resource attached. Detailed information and advice relating to scholarships will be emailed and available to Year 12 students soon. A Scholarships and Accommodation Resource Folder will be placed outside Jericho 9 soon.

Scholarships to Study Abroad

For those looking to study abroad but worried about the costs, good news, there are hundreds of scholarships to study abroad, including general scholarships and more specialized funding schemes. Some are offered by government agencies, some by individual universities, and others by external funding organizations and charitable enterprises.

The Top Universities website is an excellent resource to learn more about what scholarships are on offer.  Students can search for region-specific scholarships or country-specific scholarships.  Students can even search for subject-specific scholarships. Students are encouraged to browse Top Universities - Study Abroad Scholarships

SEAS 

Special Entry Access Scheme, students applying for tertiary study via VTAC should consider completing a SEAS application. In particular, all Year 12 MSCW students should select Category 1 (which considers demographic factors) . Some students may also seek to complete Categories 2-4 as appropriate. VTAC has recommended students have their SEAS and Scholarships applications (and supporting documentation) completed by 16 September (for guaranteed review).

Accommodation 

Another area of great variation and requiring sound research. Sometime in August, Year 12s will be emailed advice relating to accommodation options. Upcoming Open Days also present a great chance to find out more about accommodation options, with admission to some accommodation options highly competitive and deserving future students attention now to avoid missing out. It is highly recommended, when doing your research, exploring whether there are scholarships connected with accommodation options.

Sandie McKoy’s Super Handy Resources

• How to complete your VTAC application in 6 steps
• How to complete your UAC application in 6 steps
• Open Day Calendar
• Scholarships toolkit
• Accommodation Guide

The above and heaps more available https://slmcareerresources.edublogs.org/

Still Need help?

Because each university, TAFE and private college sets their own dates and processes for scholarships and accommodation, Year 12s are strongly encouraged to double check key dates for course applications, accommodation and scholarships. Those wanting help with setting up a VTAC account or with specific questions relating to their VTAC account or interstate applications are encouraged to make a Careers appointment during August.