Interested in studying at university, but unsure of how to qualify? The admission pathways to university are less elusive and more inclusive than you might assume.
Maybe you’re at TAFE, your ATAR was lower than expected, you’re looking to make a career change or something entirely different. Whatever your background, goals and lifestyle, you can create a Universe of opportunities by studying at Curtin.
What pathways to university are out there?
Long gone are the days when ATAR exclusively decided your acceptance into university. Today, the pathways to study are as diverse as they are flexible.
Find the three major streams of pathways below.
School-based pathways, such as:
- UniReady in Schools.
University-based pathways, including:
- STAT.
Prerequisite pathways, namely:
The journey to university study isn’t “one-size-fits-all” and there’s no one “right” way to forge your path. Embrace your strengths, interests and experiences to pick the path that gets you where you want to go.
In this blog, we’ll unpack the different journeys to studying at Curtin and hear from the students who used these pathways to achieve their goals.
School-based pathways
If you’re finishing, or have finished, secondary education, Curtin offers a range of school-based entry pathways to unlock your potential.
Let’s explore ATAR, portfolio entry, and VET entry – three common school-based pathways to university study.
ATAR entry
ATAR stands for the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank. It’s a grading system that ranks your work relative to that of other students in your year group, but it only applies if you take at least four ATAR subjects. See our quick guide to ATAR for more info on how it all works.
All Curtin courses accept ATAR as an admission pathway, so the world is your oyster!
If ATAR is your method of choice, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the minimum ATAR and guaranteed ATAR of each course while flicking through the guide. Here’s a rundown on what each means.
Guaranteed ATAR
Guaranteed ATAR is the ATAR ranking that guarantees you entry to the course, provided you meet the course prerequisites and Curtin’s English language competency requirements.
Minimum ATAR
A minimum ATAR is the minimum rank you need to be considered for the course, but places may be competitive.
While it’s sometimes seen as the be-all and end-all of university admission, ATAR represents one note of a much larger symposium of opportunities to chase your dreams, follow your interests and study at Curtin.
Will my ATAR get me into university?
Short answer: it depends on what you want to study and your ATAR (or predicted ATAR).
ATAR requirements vary across faculties, with a 70 ATAR being the entryway to most undergraduate courses. Take a look at the ATAR breakdown by course page to uncover what ATAR you’ll need to be accepted into your preferred course (using data from the most recent study period).
For some Curtin courses, you’ll also need to have studied and passed ‘prerequisite’ ATAR subjects. Check if you need to meet any prerequisite requirements before you apply.
If it looks like your ATAR might not quite get you an offer, or you’re missing prerequisites, don’t fret. Read on for a rundown on how course switching can get you where you need to go.
While it’s often seen as cut and dry, there’s flexibility with the ATAR pathway. If your studies have been disrupted, or you meet criteria based on socio-economic factors for StepUp to Curtin, you may be eligible for an ATAR adjustment.
Our Student Wellbeing Advisors are here to chat about your circumstances, offer advice and provide academic counselling. Curtin student, Pyper, used these resources and support on her journey to pursue Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Marketing).
“I chose to study at Curtin after hearing that Curtin provided support for unusual situations. Unforeseen circumstances in your personal life can affect your studies, causing stress and feeling overwhelmed. I found that reaching out and asking for support helped to minimise the impact on my studies and my health.”
Pyper Thompson, Bachelor of Commerce
Use your ATAR to apply now
If you’re a year 12 student or you’ve already graduated with a WACE certificate, you can submit your course preferences with Curtin. If you haven’t received your final ATAR just yet, you can still apply with your predicted ATAR.
Once ATARs are released in December, you’ll have a couple of days to finalise your preferences for the first round of offers, so you’ll have an even better idea of what you’re likely to get into.
Showcase your story through a portfolio entry pathway
If you’re someone with drive, enthusiasm by the mile and plenty of experience to share, a portfolio entry could be a great option for you.
Think of your portfolio as a scrapbook, which journeys through who you are, what you’ve achieved and why you want to study at uni. From your qualifications and work experience to extracurricular activities and academic milestones, your portfolio will be a showcase of what makes you perfect for life at Curtin.
Through the Portfolio entry pathway, you can study in a range of business, health, science and humanities courses.
Meet Curtin student, Cameron, who, after studying a Cert III and Cert IV in Fine Arts during high school, set his sights on our Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) course.
Cameron’s portfolio showcased his talent as a visual artist and highlighted his aspirations of a future career in teaching.
Who can use portfolio entry to get into university?
You may be eligible for our portfolio pathway if you:
- are currently completing year 12 studies
- are taking General subjects or VET qualifications
- are completing VET qualifications at TAFE
- finished high school without an ATAR and developed skills in the course field you’re applying for.
Check for any additional course-specific admission criteria that must be met when applying to study through the portfolio entry pathway. For a detailed look into the requirements of each course, visit our portfolio entry page.
How can I apply to university with a portfolio?
Once you’ve done your research and prepared a stellar portfolio using our portfolio entry toolkit, you’re ready to apply.
Year 12 students can apply using their portfolio through TISC, and all other applicants can apply directly through Curtin.
For more on the portfolio entry pathway, visit our portfolio entry page.
Use your VET qualifications
For those who’ve completed an RTO Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificate IV or higher, there are plenty of Curtin courses you’ve already qualified for.
Enabling you to apply for a range of courses is just the beginning of where your qualification can take you, with advanced standing (known as credit for recognised learning, or CRL) also on offer depending on your field of study.
Which VET qualifications will get you into university?
Here’s a summary of where your qualifications can take you:
- a VET Certificate IV will qualify you for most Curtin courses with a guaranteed or minimum ATAR of 70, provided you meet Curtin’s English language competency requirements (more on that, here) and any course prerequisites
- a VET Diploma or Higher Diploma qualifies you for entry to competitive Curtin courses with an ATAR of 70 and above and automatically meets the English language competency requirements
- VET Certificates I, II and III can be used to apply for a course through the portfolio entry pathway.
Understand how your qualification can unlock study at Curtin by visiting our VET to uni guide.
How can I apply to university with my VET qualifications?
Year 12 students can apply for VET entry through TISC, and all other applicants can apply directly through Curtin. Visit our Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway page to discover your options.
University-based pathways
As a university of diverse people, perspectives and opportunities, the pathways to study at Curtin follow suit. UniReady, First Nations enabling courses, Curtin College and course switching are great additional pathways to study at Curtin.
UniReady Enabling Program
Flexible, free and full of valuable information to prepare you for study at Curtin, the UniReady Enabling Program is a great pathway for those who don’t have an ATAR or didn’t complete high school.
Study on-campus, online or a combination of both as you enhance your academic literacy, numeracy and critical-thinking skills.
Upon completing this free 17-week program, you’ll meet our minimum admission criteria and be able to apply for a wide range of undergraduate courses.
Curtin student, Samuel did just that, leveraging the UniReady course to get back into study as a non-school leaver and accelerate his career in the field of Business.
“Curtin provided me with the best pathway to accomplish my goal to be accepted into a bachelor degree course. I completed the UniReady course and was then offered a position in the Bachelor of Business Administration.
The Bentley campus [Curtin Perth] has a good vibe. The best thing about the campus is the facilities and the people you meet – there are people at all different stages in their lives, all doing what they enjoy and aiming to achieve their own goals.”
Samuel Murphy, Bachelor Business Administration
Is an enabling program right for me?
The UniReady enabling program is a great pathway to study at Curtin if you:
- did not study ATAR
- did not receive 70 ATAR at high school
- did not complete your high school studies
- are undertaking or have successfully completed VET studies (less than Cert IV) and want to study at university
- are 20 years of age or above.
You do not have to fall exactly into one of the categories above to be eligible for the program.
If you’re an Indigenous Australian, you can also apply for one of Curtin’s Indigenous enabling courses – designed for future students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. More on these, here.
How can I apply for an enabling program?
If you are in year 12, you can select UniReady as one of your preferences on your TISC application. Even if it’s not your first preference, you can be offered a place in UniReady if you don’t meet the admission criteria for your preferred course.
If you’re a current high school student, your school may also offer the UniReady program (UniReady in schools) in year 12.
All other applicants can use our online system to apply for UniReady directly.
Visit our UniReady page for more on eligibility and applications.
First Nations enabling courses
Designed for future students who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, our First Nations enabling courses can fast-track your studies and gain you the skills, tools and knowledge needed to succeed at university.
If you don’t have an ATAR or left school early, an enabling course is a great way to shape your next chapter and make an impact through your study.
The six and 12-month courses are an opportunity to qualify for a range of Curtin undergraduate degrees.
First Nations enabling courses aren’t just pathways into university, they’re the first chapter of a much larger story. This is true for Aldan Clinch, whose enrolment in our First Nations enabling course would be the catalyst for an incredible journey of discovery.
Fuelled by a desire to contribute to society and to give back to Country, Aldan graduated from the enabling course and was accepted to study Environmental Science at Curtin University. Through his academic learning experience, he hopes to one day blend his tertiary knowledge with his culture to care for Country.
How do I apply for the First Nations enabling course?
You can complete your application online, in person, or via an agent. Visit the Enabling Courses page to start your journey to Curtin.
Study at Curtin College
Are you someone who doesn’t meet Curtin University’s minimum entry requirements? Curtin College is an on-campus pathway to Curtin University, which can unlock the door to over 50 undergraduate degrees and majors at Curtin University.
With flexible admission criteria, smaller classes, a focus on inclusivity and an extra-supportive environment, it’s no wonder Curtin College is a popular choice of pathway,
A Curtin College diploma is equivalent to the first year of a corresponding Curtin University bachelor degree and is delivered in two stages. Depending on your academic background, you’ll start in either diploma stage one or two and can complete your Diploma in eight to 24 months.
For most people, once your Diploma is done and dusted, you’ll be fast-tracked straight into year two of your chosen course at Curtin University.
Can I study at Curtin College?
Curtin College is a fantastic pathway if you:
- do not meet Curtin University’s minimum entry requirements
- completed Year 12 but did not obtain WACE, ATAR or equivalent
- completed Year 11 with a minimum 50 per cent average
- are of mature age and want an alternative pathway to university
- want a personalised learning experience.
Curtin College is suitable for both Australian and International students.
How do I apply for Curtin College?
You can complete your application online, in person, or via an agent. Discover how Curtin College can kickstart your university journey by visiting the Curtin College website.
Course-switch to your dream degree
You’ve browsed the course guide, found your preferred degree and are ready to unlock the next chapter of your story … but what if you don’t meet a prerequisite? Or, your ATAR is great, but not what you need?
Course switching allows you to start a Curtin pathway degree which you qualify for (such as multidisciplinary science or health sciences) and switch to your preferred course when you have completed the necessary units, which may take only one or two semesters
Starting a pathway degree is a door-opening exercise, and the opportunities are vast in the realms of science, health and engineering.
For example, if you ace eligible units in the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Sciences course you’ll be on your way to admission for a wider range of science and engineering courses. Or, if you breeze through your first year at Curtin with a course weighted average of 70%, you’ll be in prime position for entry into the Bachelor of Laws.
Can I switch courses to my preferred degree?
To benefit from the course-switching pathway, you’ll need to meet the admission criteria for your initial and new course and any other requirements listed on our Switch Curtin courses page.
Understand how course switching can work for you by chatting to our friendly team. Call the Future Students team on 1300 222 888 or email admissions@curtin.edu.au.
Prerequisite pathways
All courses have an English language competency requirement, which we’ll explain below. If you’re missing a subject prerequisite for your preferred health, science or engineering degree, course switching is a useful pathway to studying at Curtin.
English requirements
Whichever entry pathway you choose, you’ll need to meet Curtin’s English language competency requirements.
There are several ways to do this, such as a scaled score of at least 50 in an English ATAR subject, a grade A in English General (or grade B for portfolio entry), or scoring 140 or above in the STAT Written English test.
Some entry pathways like UniReady or our First Nations Enabling Program automatically cover the English language competency requirements, so you might already be good-to-go.
If you are taking an international English test, please note that some courses require higher test scores than others.
For everything you need to know about meeting our minimum English language requirements, visit the English language requirements page.
Which pathway to university is right for me?
Sometimes, when opportunities are abundant, the act of deciding becomes the real challenge (ever scrolled through Netflix so long that there’s no time left to watch anything?). What you decide to study, and your pathway to get there, is a big decision. Here are three tips for choosing the best pathway for you:
1. Take your time
The pathways to university are diverse, so take your time to pick one that’s right for you – want to balance work while earning some prerequisites? Maybe you’re keen to kick-start your studies at the same time as your mates?
There’s no one ‘right’ way to get into uni. Carve a path that will best empower you to achieve your goals, excel in your field and build the skills you need to make an impact.
2. Ask for advice
Put the word out! Sometimes it’s great to have an outsider’s perspective. Seek advice from the people that know your situation best – your peers, family, school and careers counsellors.
3. Seek support
There’s plenty of support available to help you pick the perfect pathway … all you need to do is click! We have a pathway finder tool which you can use online, or feel free to get in touch with one of our Future Student advisors to chat one-on-one about your options.
No such thing as “one-size-fits-all”
There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” approach to study at Curtin, with your future peers coming from different walks of life, just like you.
There’s plenty of support available as you craft your journey – from our pathways resources, to personalised one-to-one support from our friendly Future Student team.
Now, the ball is in your court. Take your time, ask for support and decide on a path that’s right for you.
