Career Pathways

This week in Career Pathways there is a continuation of the important information for all Year 12 students regarding the VTAC Tertiary Application process that commenced on August 7th. There are also updates from ACU, Swinburne, Monash and La Trobe Universities, including details about NEW courses in Architecture, Engineering, Nutrition Science, and an interesting double degree in Nursing/Counselling.

Reminders

‘Inside Monash’ – 15 Aug Music, 31 Aug Education, 31 Aug Science and Careers, 5 Sept Education. Register: www.monash.edu/inside-monash
Occupational Therapy - Careers Night on 17 Aug; Tina Morley, tina.morley@austin.org.au
‘ASPIRE’ applications are open at La Trobe University; close 31 August

Open Days

Australian Catholic University (ACU)- Sun 13 August (Melbourne); Sun 27 Aug (Ballarat)
Box Hill Institute - Sun 20 August (Lilydale); Sun 27 August (Box Hill)
Deakin University – Sun 6 August (Warrnambool); Sun 20 August (Geelong); Sun 27 August (Melbourne)
Federation University – Sun 27 August (Ballarat, Berwick and Gippsland)
La Trobe University – Sun 6 August (Melbourne); Sun 27 August (Bendigo)
Melbourne Polytechnic – Sat 19 August (Preston)
Monash University - Sat 5 August (Peninsula); Sun 6 August (Caulfield and Clayton); Sun 20 August (Parkville – Pharmacy College)
RMIT – Sun 13 Aug (City and Bundoora)
University of Melbourne – Sun 20 August (Parkville)
Victoria University – Sun 20 August (Footscray)
William Angliss Institute – Sun 13 August

Year 12 News

VTAC Applications are now open.

Applications for TAFE and university courses opened on the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) website on Monday 7 August, 2017 at www.vtac.edu.au.

Use CourseSearch and VTAC App from the iOS App Store and Google Play (free) as the primary source of course information. You will also find very useful VTAC videos about applying for courses, SEAS, scholarships, offers and changing preferences at www.youtube.com/vtacmedia

You can apply for up to eight courses, placing them in the order you most want them. You will be offered a place in the highest course in your list for which you meet the requirements.

Don’t forget to check out the Selection Data for each course for which you apply. Many use only the ATAR for selection, however, a lot have other requirements such as an audition, folio presentation, interview or an extra form/documents that must completed as well. You will NOT be offered a place in any of these courses if you do not meet the selection requirements, regardless of your ATAR.
You have until 28 September for a ‘timely’ application. After that, the normal application fee of $35.00 rises to $103.00
Some B. FINE ARTS degrees at the University of Melbourne (Southbank campus) have an EARLIER VTAC APPLICATION CLOSING DATE; applications close on 31 Aug for Animation, Dance, Film and Television and Screenwriting.
For the others, applications close on 28 Sept and there are no later applications, meaning you cannot add them to your Preference list after this date, eg Medicine at Monash

For information about SEAS participating institutions, how to apply, supporting evidence required (with suggested tips) and other details, see: www.vtac.edu.au and search for SEAS.

What If I Don't Get The ATAR Required For My Desired Course?

Remember that even if you think the ATAR will be too high for you, still put your most desired course first in your VTAC application. ATAR’s sometimes come down on previous years, and some applicants get in on lower ATAR’s because of bonus points achieved, or with a successful SEAS application, so you might be surprised.

However, what can you do if you do not obtain a high enough ATAR to access your course(s)? Many universities offer pathways into university. For example:

Deakin has Deakin College, Monash has Monash College, La Trobe has La Trobe Melbourne and Swinburne has UniLink. Courses at these institutions can be accessed with lower ATARs and usually provide pathways into related university degrees.

Many other pathways exist, for example:

Monash offers some diploma programs (in business, science, education & nursing)
the University of Melbourne offers a Diploma of General Studies as a pathway
ACU offers courses through ACUCom (ACU Community)
Swinburne, RMIT and Victoria Universities offer certificate and diploma courses in their VET divisions, often offering pathways to university
Some VET providers (eg Box Hill Institute) have formal pathways to university

Keep in mind, as noted previously, that some universities allow students to access their courses on a lower ATAR as a result of their involvement in their communities (eg Aspire program at La Trobe).

Entry To Initial Teacher Qualifications

All universities are integrating a CASPer assessment as a requirement of their admission process for initial teacher qualifications for 2018 entry.

CASPer helps program leaders make more informed and data-driven admission decisions, resulting in stronger, higher quality students and graduates. The purpose of the CASPer assessment is to determine students’ non-academic suitability for teaching.

Course entries on the VTAC website (www.vtac.edu.au) indicate if this assessment must be undertaken as part of the admission process to teacher education courses. Information including sample scenarios can be found at www.takecasper.com and www.altusassessments.com/.

Dates for completing CASPer are expected to be in late October and early November. Cost: $80.00.

New Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Industrial) at La Trobe University

La Trobe has announced that their Engineering undergraduate degree has been updated for 2018 and will be offered as a Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Industrial).

La Trobe is currently the only university in Australia offering an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering. This degree will prepare students for engineering roles which improve business practices and systems using up-to-date and advanced technologies. Graduates will drive innovation and industry growth, as our increasingly high-tech world transforms.

Career outcomes include jobs in advanced technology enterprises, start-up technology companies, health care, transport, aerospace, mining and defence.

New Architecture Degree At Swinburne

A new Bachelor of Design (Architecture) will launch in Semester 1 2018 at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus, while a Master of Design (Architecture) will follow the first cohort of graduates. “The role of the architect has changed so much over the past 50 years,” Dean of Swinburne’s School of Design, Professor Jane Burry says.

“We want our graduates to be future focused, preparing them to still be working in the industry in 40 years’ time.”

"The new courses will focus on digital technology, sustainability, smart cities, social innovation and architecture that promotes or enhances health and wellbeing. The courses will build on Swinburne’s expertise across architectural practice, design, history and theory, construction, interior architecture, computer-aided design, sustainability, social housing policy and design for health.”

For more information, see: Built Environment and Architecture.

Architecture is also offered at Deakin (Geelong), Monash, RMIT and the University of Melbourne. In addition, the Advanced Diploma of Building (Architectural) is offered at several TAFE Institutes.

This Diploma takes two to two and half years to complete, as opposed to the five-year architecture qualification. The Diploma is also a pathway into architecture.

Swinburne also has the following workshops/events coming up:

VTAC Explained

29 – 31 August

Hawthorn campus

Swinburne.edu.au/choose

Advice Nights

Monday 11 September

Wantirna campus

Wednesday 13 September

Hawthorn campus

Swinburne.edu.au/choose

Aviation Info Night

Wednesday 13 September

Hawthorn campus

Swinburne.edu.au/aviation-night

New Degrees At Australian Catholic University For 2018

Bachelor of Nutrition Science

Nutritionists help communicate nutrition science to the public and advise the community about food choices for healthy eating. Studies include the nutritive value of foods, the nutrients that bodies need as different stages of development, and the role nutrients and diet play in health promotion and disease prevention.

Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Counselling This has been developed in response to industry needs to meet a recognised and increasing requirement for counselling skills in the nursing profession. The counselling qualification will assist nurses to better support the provision of holistic care.

Monash University News

Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music - Piano and Strings Mega Day:

Sunday 13th August 2017

Have you ever thought about studying music at university? Or are you preparing for your music exams or VCE music performances? Why not come along to the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music Piano and Strings Mega Day!

This day will feature masterclasses, workshops, orchestral excerpt classes, audition information, as well as advice on technique and practising, health and well-being for musicians and ensemble playing.

In addition, a special presentation by Dr Roy Howat on music editions. The afternoon will be filled with exciting activities for you to take part in.

Time: 1.30pm – 6.00pm

Location: Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, 55 Scenic Boulevard, Monash University Clayton Campus

Registration fee: $20 (for all attendees); Masterclass participation: additional $50

Bruce Topham, Career Pathways Coordinator