Guide to TISC applications | Study

Get ready to create your Universe

Thinking about changing your course preferences? Or maybe you haven’t applied yet? We’re here to support you every step of the way.

We know there’s a lot happening over summer. While you’re enjoying your well-earned holidays, results are released, TISC offers are finalised and there are exciting decisions to be made. To make your summer as smooth as possible, we’ve collated everything you need to kickstart your journey at Curtin.

Not a school leaver? Discover our range of entry pathways and bridging courses designed to suit your unique circumstances.

I’ve already applied
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Already applied via TISC?

Great news on getting your application submitted! Find out about the different offer rounds and how you can still change your course preferences if you change your mind or if your results weren’t quite what you had hoped.

Main round dates and information

The final closing date to apply or change preferences for TISC main round offers is 11.59pm (AWST) on Tuesday 17 December 2024.

Main round offers will be emailed on Sunday 21 December 2024.

Please note that accepting a main round offer means you will not be reassessed in the second round.

If you have previously accepted an early offer, you will receive a letter of confirmation on this day if conditions have been met and you have not since changed your preferences.

Second round dates and information

The final closing date to apply or change preferences for TISC second round offers is 11.59pm (AWST) on Wednesday 15 January 2025.

Second round offers will be emailed on Tuesday 21 January 2025.

This round is for applicants who either:

did not receive a main round offer
received a main round offer for their second or lower preference, but wish to be reassessed for their existing first preference
received a main round offer for their first preference but wish to change their first preference and be reassessed for a different course.

A second round offer will replace an offer received in the main round.

Didn’t get the results you wanted?

If your ATAR wasn’t what you hoped for, or if you didn’t pass English or a prerequisite subject for your course, don’t worry. Curtin offers flexible entry pathways, bridging courses, and alternative ways to meet English language requirements.

I didn’t get the ATAR I wanted

You can still achieve your goals! Consider applying through our experience-based portfolio pathway. Visit our portfolio entry page for all the details.

Another great option is our UniReady Enabling Program. This free, six-month course provides a pathway to several undergraduate degrees. Learn more about UniReady.

I didn’t pass English

If your English ATAR doesn’t meet the entry requirements but you’ve applied through TISC and meet other criteria, you’ll receive an email from TISC inviting you to sit the Written English component of the STAT. This test allows you to demonstrate your English competency.

For more details, visit our English language requirements page.

I didn’t pass a prerequisite subject I needed for my course

If you met the required ATAR and English requirements but didn’t pass a necessary subject, there are still options. You may be able to:

complete an equivalent unit through UniLearn, UniReady, or Open Universities Australia.
apply for a different course and transfer into your preferred course after completing at least one semester.

For tailored advice unique to your circumstances, contact our team at Curtin Connect.

Contact TISC

Visit the TISC website for more information about offers and for the full list of important dates for 2024/2025.

There’s still time to apply to Curtin

There are multiple entry pathways to study at Curtin, including ATAR and non-ATAR pathways. Once you decide which pathway suits you best, you’ll need to submit your application via TISC. You can list up to six courses (in order of preference) to be assessed during each offer round, and you can even choose different entry pathways! Head to your preferred pathway page to find out everything you need to know.

ATAR entry pathway

If you’re hoping to use your ATAR to qualify for entry to Curtin, this is the pathway for you.

ATAR entry pathway

Portfolio entry pathway

This non-ATAR entry pathway enables you to apply to Curtin using a combination of study, work and life experience.

Portfolio entry pathway

UniReady Enabling Program

Don’t meet our admission criteria? Consider taking our free UniReady bridging course.

UniReady Enabling Program

Undergrad Discovery Day

Explore campus life, meet faculty staff, get your questions answered and explore the Universe of possibilities on offer at Curtin.

Learn about Undergrad Discovery Day

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my course application is unsuccessful?

If your application is unsuccessful, you will receive feedback on the reason and alternate course options, if applicable. You can also contact Curtin Connect for pathway advice on how to become eligible for the next intake.

What happens if my WACE English ATAR does not meet Curtin’s English requirement?

To be eligible to apply for a course at Curtin, you must satisfy the English competency requirement.

If you have not achieved a sufficient scaled mark in English ATAR, Literature ATAR or EALD ATAR, you may get a second opportunity to demonstrate your competence in English by sitting the Written English component of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Please refer to the TISC website for full details.

Curtin also accepts other English proficiency tests and qualifications. These are listed on our English language requirements webpage. Please note some courses have specific English requirements or require a higher score in an approved English Language proficiency test. See courses with higher English requirements for more details.

I do not meet the Maths prerequisite for the course I am interested in, what are my options?

If you have met Curtin’s English requirement and achieved the required ATAR for your course of interest but have not met the Mathematics prerequisite, see the following options:

UniLearn (Online Mode Only): Introductory Mathematics (UNL31) offered through UniLearn will satisfy the Mathematics Applications ATAR prerequisite. Senior Mathematics (UNL32) offered through UniLearn will satisfy the Mathematics Methods requirement. Please note: It is up to you to ensure the unit completion date is before the application deadlines.
UniReady Enabling The Mathematics for Science unit will satisfy the Mathematics Applications ATAR prerequisite. This unit is run in semester 1 and 2, and in some cases over summer. For further information please contact UniReady on 9266 7632.
UniReady Enabling Subject via Open Universities Australia (Online Mode Only): The Mathematics for Science unit will satisfy the Mathematics Applications ATAR prerequisite this unit is only run in study periods 1 and 3
Apply for the Bachelor of Science (Multidisciplinary Science) and then apply to course switch. You would need to do Multidisciplinary Science for a minimum of 1 semester, during which you would need to pick up one mathematics unit to satisfy the Mathematics Applications prerequisite, or two mathematics units to satisfy the Mathematics Methods prerequisite.
Apply for the Bachelor of Arts and then apply to course switch. You would need to do Arts for a minimum of 1 semester, during which you would need to pick up one mathematics unit to satisfy the Mathematics Applications prerequisite, or two mathematics units to satisfy the Mathematics Methods prerequisite.

If you are planning to course switch please go to your course page of interest and click Admissions Criteria then click I’ve gone to university before.

If you need more personalised advice Contact our Future Students team about your pathway options.

My WACE results are much lower than I expected. What entry pathways are available?

There are several options available for applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements to apply to Curtin. Please visit the the Pathway Finder to determine your alternative options.

Can I do ATAR again?

Yes, after year 12, select institutions offer ATAR-level subjects that you can take to adjust your overall ATAR score or allow you to study Curtin subject prerequisites. When applying to Curtin, your most recent ATAR score will be considered. For more information about alternative pathways, please contact Curtin Connect.

What is a University Admission Advice Letter (UAAL)?

The Universities Admission Advice Letter (UAAL) contains the following:

Final scaled scores
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) (if appropriate)
Eligibility information for the four public universities in Western Australia including Curtin University.

This shows your different ATAR results for all of the public Universities around WA. It is important to always refer to the ATAR score shown for each University, not your individual scaled marks.

For information for how to obtain a UAAL, please contact TISC or view a full overview of the document.

What is the TISC automatic safety net?

If you have been made an offer and you are not quite sure whether that’s what you really want, you can use the TISC automatic safety net to save your Main Round Offer (December) and to be considered in the Second Round Offers (January).

Please see the TISC website for detailed instructions and information regarding the automatic safety net.

Should I apply for UniReady or portfolio entry?

While both UniReady and Portfolio entry are non-ATAR admission pathways to degree courses, the pathway program you choose will depend on your qualifications and your competency in English.

To apply for a Curtin course via portfolio entry, you must:

have achieved WACE
show your academic potential by successfully completing a minimum of four WACE subjects in Year 12.*
- At least four ATAR subjects OR
- A combination of at least four general and ATAR subjects OR
- At least four General subjects.

You can substitute one of the four WACE subjects for relevant studies of an equivalent nature such as TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO) qualifications, industry training or accreditation and workplace training, endorsed programs, University studies, UniReady in schools units, or Micro-credentials, and Big Picture studies.

demonstrate English competency.

To apply for UniReady, you don’t need to have achieved WACE or have any specific English grade or qualification, however, it is recommended that you have:

a spoken English level where you can comfortably speak in a classroom setting
a reading English level where you can comprehend an Australian news article
a written English level where you can write a paragraph of text with mostly correct grammar and punctuation.

Guidance for parents and carers

Your child’s university journey is just beginning. Explore our tailored parent resources, helping simplify the university experience for you and your child.

Explore resources

Your TISC questions answered

Navigating your way through the TISC preference system can be tricky. That’s why we’re here to step you through the process and answer all those important questions!

Learn more about TISC

Why study at Curtin?

#1 in WA for graduate salary

Curtin graduates earn the highest median salary of all WA’s public universities.

Good Universities Guide 2024/2025

#1 in WA for graduate employment

#1 in WA for  graduate employment

Good Universities Guide 2024/2025

#1 in WA for top-qualified academics

Four out of five academics at Curtin hold a doctoral degree, the highest percentage in WA.

Good Universities Guide 2024/2025

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Your guide to TISC applications

Get ready to create your Universe

Already applied via TISC?

Contact TISC

There’s still time to apply to Curtin

ATAR entry pathway

Portfolio entry pathway

UniReady Enabling Program

Undergrad Discovery Day

Frequently asked questions

Guidance for parents and carers

Your TISC questions answered

Why study at Curtin?

#1 in WA for graduate salary

#1 in WA for graduate employment

#1 in WA for top-qualified academics

Got a question? We’re here to help.

#1 in WA for graduate employment