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How to find your path to university

University entry isn't limited to ATAR scores for school leavers. If you've chosen not to study for an ATAR, or you did but got a lower ATAR than expected, you still have pathway options into university courses.

Colourful artwork on stairway between university buildings. Artwork welcoming new students on steps at Joondalup Campus.
Group of students following a tour guide on university campus New students embark on a Joondalup Campus tour.

For some of our pathways, you may need to have completed WACE or have to meet English competency requirements.

University Preparation courses

Our UniPrep courses are not only open to school leavers, they're also free!

This is a pathway we often recommend to students who didn't get a great ATAR result or don't have an ATAR.

As the name implies, UniPrep courses prepare you for university study by teaching you the skills required for academic success. There's an emphasis on you becoming an independent learner too.

UniPrep includes a choice of a full semester course or a more intensive UniPrep Summer program that runs from November to January.

Read more about UniPrep.

Creative Humanities Portfolio Entry

If you've finished school without an ATAR but you're really interested in art and design, this might be your pathway.

The Creative Humanities Portfolio Entry allows you to be considered for entry to specific undergraduate courses in creative arts and design disciplines. It's based on a digital portfolio of your work. In other words, show us what you can do!

You'll also need to complete an application and attend an interview. For guidelines on all of these things, visit Creative Humanities Portfolio Entry.

Photography studio with camera and lighting Photomedia studio at ECU’s Mount Lawley Campus.

Experience Based Entry

If you don't have an ATAR (or had a near-miss) or any VET qualifications, like a Cert IV, but you've completed WACE and meet English competency requirements, this could be for you.

The Experience Based Entry Scheme is a pathway where you'll need to include a few things as part of your application. That includes a letter telling us about your goals and why you want to go to uni.

Got a Diploma or a Cert IV qualification?

If you've completed or started a VET course at a TAFE or another training organisation since high school, you might also have a pathway to uni study.

If you completed a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma you may be eligible to go straight into an undergraduate course.

This is also the case for a completed Cert IV, depending on your background. If we don't think you're quite ready, we'll recommend you apply for a UniPrep course as a first step.

So there you go. Plenty to ponder, especially if you thought university was never going to be an option.

Here's a good page to explore all pathways. Or you can watch our video.

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