Undergraduate Admission

How to apply for Undergraduate courses

All applications from Australian students for entry to UWS undergraduate courses must be made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Students completing an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate in 2008 will receive a UAC Guide from their school in late July. Non-current school leavers can buy one at participating newsagents from August 2008. If you are unable to obtain a Guide, phone UAC on (02) 9752 0200 or visit the UAC website.

Applications are lodged by using the apply-by-web form on the UAC Website.

On-time applications close Tuesday 30 September 2008.  Please check your UAC guide or their website for late application closing dates.

Only Australian citizens or holders of permanent resident visas should apply using the process outlined below. Non residents should apply through UWS International.

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Current School Leaver

When applying for entry to most UWS courses offered in 2009 you will be considered on the basis of your UAI or equivalent. A small number of UWS courses have additional selection criteria such as an interview, audition or portfolio presentation. The course entry in the UAC Guide or UAC website will provide further information on whether additional selection criteria apply.

For an indication of (UAI) cut-offs for courses offered in 2009, please see the 2008 UAI Cut-offs.

Early Offer Scheme

Eligible applicants will automatically be considered for Early Offers when the 2008 UAI is released. Successful Early Offer candidates will be notified of the course/s for which they are eligible in the week before Christmas. To be eligible, your UAI must be the same as (or greater than) the published 2008 cut-off for your preferred course.

Early Offers will be made in the Preliminary Round of UAC offers on 6 January 2009 to those eligible students who have the Early Offer course as their first preference by 31 December 2008. Offers in the Preliminary Round can only be made to first preference courses. If eligible applicants do not have the Early Offer course as first preference by 31 December 2008, they will still be considered eligible for that course in later rounds, as long as it is the highest eligible preference.

Applicants who do not receive a letter regarding an Early Offer can contact Admissions on (02) 4736 0897 to discuss their options.

Applicants who do not receive an Early Offer in the Preliminary Round will still be considered for all the UWS preferences they have for the Main Round on 21 January 2009.

Priority Offer Scheme

Eligible applicants will receive Conditional Priority Offers in October 2008. Once the UAI results are released on 18 December 2008, all eligible applicants will receive an update on the progress of their application. To be eligible, your UAI must be the same as (or greater than) the published 2008 cut-off for your preferred course.

Priority Offers will be made in the Preliminary Round of UAC offers on 6 January 2009 to those eligible students who have the Priority Offer course as their first preference by 31 December 2008. Offers in the Preliminary Round can only be made to first preference courses. If eligible applicants do not have the Priority Offer course as first preference by 31 December 2008, they will still be considered eligible for that course in later rounds, as long as it is the highest eligible preference.

Applicants who do not receive a Priority Offer in the Preliminary Round will still be considered for all the UWS preferences they have for the Main Round on 21 January 2009.

» Regional Bonus Scheme
» Subject Bonus Scheme
» More information on the Triple Advantage

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International Current School Leavers

For 2009 admissions, international students undertaking one of the following qualifications must submit an application through UAC International:

• an Australian Year 12 in Australia in 2008 
• an Australian Year 12 outside Australia in 2008 
• an International Baccalaureate in Australia in 2008 
• a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 in 2008

More information is available at UWS International. You can submit your UAC application online at www.uac.edu.au.

When applying for entry to most UWS courses offered in 2009 you will be considered on the basis of your UAI or equivalent. A small number of UWS courses have additional selection criteria such as an interview, audition or portfolio presentation. The course entry in the UAC Guide or UAC website will provide further information on whether additional selection criteria applies.

For an indication of (UAI) cut-offs for courses offered in 2008, please see the 2008 UAI Cut-offs.

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Non-current School Leaver

Many of our students do not necessarily come to UWS straight from high school. Non-current school leavers form an important part of the UWS student population.

Your application will be considered on at least one of the following:

• Your secondary school result or TER/UAI (if applicable) or interstate equivalent
• Your work experience (must be at least 1 year full-time paid employment)
• Studies that you have undertaken since leaving school (e.g. TAFE diploma, previous university study – minimum of two subjects)
• Result in the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT)
• Professional or paraprofessional qualifications (e.g. hospital based nursing certificates or professional body awards that require examination)

If you use one or more of the above as a basis for your application, each criterion will be allocated a rank. The highest rank will then be used in assessing your application.

Alternative Entry Schemes are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

» Pathways to UWS

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English Language Requirements - undergraduate entry

Applicants who have undertaken their studies in an overseas country may need to provide proof of proficiency in English. For details of the minimum English proficiency requirements and approved English Language Test or equivalent, refer to English language proficiency information and tables at the UAC website or in the UAC Guide.

Only results obtained in EP tests (such as IELTS, TOEFL and CULT) in the two years prior to admission will be accepted. STAT will be accepted for up to three years, and all other qualifications will be accepted for 10 years.

If your English is below the required score, you may wish to enrol in a pre-University English program at:

UWSCollege (Telephone +61 2 9685 9785).

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)

Most institutions that participate in the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) have an Educational Access Scheme (EAS) for applicants who have experienced long-term educational disadvantage. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that their educational performance during Years 11 and/or 12 or equivalent has been seriously affected by circumstances beyond their control. For further information about EAS, or to obtain a booklet and application form, call the Course Information Centre on 1800 897 669, visit a Student Centre or contact UAC. On time EAS applications close Tuesday, 30 September 2008.

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Elite athletes or performers

If you are an elite athlete or performer, whose training and competitive commitments have affected your preparation for the HSC, you may be eligible for special consideration even though you are not eligible for EAS. Students in this category must submit a letter which includes details and documentation of the circumstances for consideration direct to:

Admissions Unit,
University of Western Sydney
Locked Bag 1797,
Penrith South DC NSW 1797

Applications must be submitted to the Admissions Unit by Friday 28 November 2008.

Alternative Entry Pathways

• Aboriginal Support
• Regional Bonus Scheme
• Subject Bonus Scheme
• Unitrack
• UWSCollege
• Priority Triple Advantage
• Early Triple Advantage

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