What if I have no formal academic qualifications?
What happens if I don’t meet the pre-requisites for a course?
Alternative pathway options
Recognition of prior learning
Previous study and employment experience
What is the STAT?
Bridging courses
Study skills courses
Moving from one qualification to another
What are articulation arrangements?
Alternative entry links
What if I have no formal academic qualifications?
It is not always necessary for you to have completed Year 12 or to have any formal academic qualifications to achieve a place in a course of study at a higher education provider (provider). Many providers recognise that for some courses the skills and knowledge developed through your life or work experience may relate directly to tertiary qualifications.
If you have ever undertaken study at a higher education provider or TAFE, or completed an approved bridging course, you may be eligible for entry on the basis of these qualifications. You should check with the provider offering the course of study to find out what you need to have done to be offered a place.
What happens if I don’t meet the pre-requisites for a course?
Most courses of study have pre-requisites that you must fulfil to gain entry. If you have not met the pre-requisites for the course you wish to apply for, you can check whether the entry requirements can be met by alternative means. Each provider may have different entry requirements so it is important to check with the provider before following an alternative pathway option.
See also: Higher education providers at a glance
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Alternative pathway options
A number of alternative pathway options may enable you to gain access to the course of study that you want. You may choose to:
- wait to see if you are offered a place in a subsequent round
- wait until the mid year entry – sometimes the entry requirements are different
- apply to a number of providers offering similar courses
- apply directly to the provider
- repeat your high school studies in order to improve your entrance mark
- consider an employer who encourages further study or training e.g. defence forces
- utilise your work experience to demonstrate an interest in a field of study
- undertake an Open Universities Australia course
- seek credit for prior knowledge through the recognition of prior learning (RPL)
- undertake a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- undertake bridging courses
- accept a less desirable course and then transfer, if possible
- take some time out and re-apply as a mature age student.
See also: Open Universities Australia
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Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning allows you to receive recognition and credit for the knowledge and skills you have gained previously, that meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the qualification you are seeking credit for. This can include skills gained from:
- previous study
- employment experience
- life experience.
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Previous study and employment experience
When considering your application, providers may take into account professional or post-secondary qualifications such as certificates or professional body awards that require examination.
Example: Language qualifications.
Providers may also take into account employment experience when considering your application.
Note: Your employment does not necessarily have to be related to the courses you want to study.
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What is the STAT?
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for mature age people designed to assess competencies, such as the ability to understand and think critically about issues considered important for success in tertiary study. The STAT provides an alternative pathway to a provider, if you don’t meet the formal entry requirements. STAT results are recognised in all Australian states and may be used to satisfy some subject prerequisites.
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Bridging courses
When beginning or returning to study you may want to complete some bridging courses to meet pre-requisites for a course of study. Bridging courses are offered by Open Universities Australia as well as various higher education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions.
See also: Higher education providers at a glance & Open Universities Australia
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Study skills courses
You may also benefit from completing study skills courses to improve your skills in required areas such as note taking, essay writing, preparing assignments that you will require to be successful in your chosen course of study.
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Moving from one qualification to another
You can enrol at a provider in a similar course of study, requiring a lower pre-requisite than the course you are interested in, and transfer to the course of study that you wish to undertake. You will need to contact your provider about the options available to you.
Arrangements between VET and higher education providers may allow you to:
- move from between a VET programmes to a higher education course, or
- undertake combined awards.
These arrangements are based on articulation and the transfer of credits.
See also: Australian Qualifications Framework 
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What are articulation arrangements?
Articulation arrangements are a formal agreement between two programmes, normally provided by different educational institutions, for admission to a course of study with advanced standing. These are formalised arrangements that may include the:
- transfer of credit including the recognition of prior learning
- admissions criteria
- combination or linking of study programmes.
See also: Vocational Education & Training
A full list of universities that have entered into articulation arrangements is available on the Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) web site.
See also: AVCC website
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Alternative entry links
You can obtain more information on alternative entry opportunities from the following links.
See also: Year 12 - What Next?
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State and Territory Alternative entry links
Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales
University Admissions Centre (UAC)
Northern Territory
Charles Darwin University
Queensland
Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC)
South Australia
South Australia Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC)
Tasmania
University of Tasmania
Victoria
Victoria Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
Western Australia
Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC)
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