Policies and procedures
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POLICY NO: A-18.11
DATE OF APPROVAL: 27 August 2004
AMENDMENTS:
Registrar - 22 April 1994
Registrar - March 1995
Registrar - April 1996
Registrar - October 1996
Registrar - November 1997
Registrar - August 1998
Registrar - November 1999
Registrar - November 2000
Director: Student and Academic Services - September 2004
Academic Board - 28 October 2005
Academic Board - 26 March 2010
Director: Student and Academic
Services - January 2011
REFERENCE AUTHORITY: Director: Student and Academic Services
CROSS-REFERENCES:
University Policies:
Other Guidelines:
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) National Principles and
Operational Guidelines for Recognition of Prior Learning
CONTENTS:
ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank
Entry requirements
The rules that specify the level of attainment to qualify for consideration
for admission to university.
HESS
Higher Education Selection Subject - This is a Stage 2 SACE subject approved
by the University as appropriate preparation for a University academic program.
SACE
South Australian Certificate of Education
Selection
The mechanisms used to choose qualified applicants for admission to
university.
Tertiary Admissions Subjects (TAS)
These are SACE Stage 2 subjects approved by the University as providing
appropriate preparation for tertiary study.
This policy describes the principles and procedures for the selection of students for admission to the University's programs including:
selection and entry requirements for specific cohorts including Commonwealth supported, coursework undergraduate and postgraduate, and international applicants
how selection processes should deal with situations where there are more applicants than places available
how applicants with different qualifications (including international and mature age qualifications) and applicants with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds (such as Indigenous Australians and people whose first language is not English) can be accommodated in selection processes
English language requirements - as the majority of programs are taught in English (except for the Chinese MBA), international and transnational applicants seeking entry to UniSA programs must have a minimum standard of English.
This policy applies to all domestic and international applicants for admission into the University's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, including enabling programs.
Entry requirements for honours degrees and degrees with honours are outlined in the University policy A-42: Honours degree programs.
The requirements for admission for Higher Degree by Research applicants are outlined in the University's Academic regulations for Higher Degrees by Research.
1. Selection and entry to programs at the University of South Australia is based on the principles of:
1.1. Academic merit
1.2. Access and equity
1.3. Recognition of prior learning.
and will be in accordance with the University's framework for selection and entry (Appendix 1), and relevant legislative and government requirements.
2. To be eligible for admission to a University of
South Australia coursework program, applicants must satisfy both the
University's minimum entrance requirements and any program specific
prerequisites, where applicable.
3. The minimum requirements for entry to University
programs are established in accordance with the principles specified in
clause 1 above and are set out in Appendix 2 of this policy.
4. The specific requirements for entry to each program
are established individually through the program approval process, as
approved by the Academic Board. Some programs require additional
criteria such as an interview, audition or aptitude testing, while other
programs list prerequisites, courses, or other requirements that have to
be successfully completed by all applicants before they become eligible
for consideration for entry to that program.
5. In addition to the requirements in clauses 3 and 4
above, to be eligible for admission into a University of South Australia
coursework program, international applicants must meet the University's
minimum level of English language proficiency requirements, as approved
by the Academic Board, and specified in Appendix 3. Some programs
require a higher level of English.
6. For applicants seeking admission to a university
program that requires registration with a registration board, and where
registration has been refused, the University may offer the applicant a
place in a program where registration is not required, providing a place
is available and the student meets that program's entry requirements.
7. The internal transfer of students between programs
will be in accordance with the University's entry requirements as
specified in this policy, and the procedures set out in clause 21.
8. Selection processes are established to ensure
that, where there are more qualified applicants for entry to a program
than there are positions available, selection occurs according to the
principles outlined in clause 1 above.
9. In general, applicants are selected on the basis of
academic merit, and entry is therefore competitive. However, selection
processes may also take into consideration the effect of different forms
of educational disadvantage on the ability of an applicant to
demonstrate academic merit.
10. Academic merit is determined by an applicant's
prior achievement in a specified academic qualifying requirement they
have undertaken (eg. senior secondary certificate or tertiary study), or
by their achievement in an aptitude test.
11. For the purposes of selection:
11.1 Judgements of academic merit between applicants
for admission are made only where each applicant's achievements can be
compared against a standard.
11.2 Applicants for admission with a particular form of
qualification are only compared with applicants with a similar,
comparable, or equivalent form of qualification, through the
establishment of sub-quotas. (See clause 18.)
12. In accordance with its Act of Establishment the University will set targets for particular equity groups as part of its planning process and may establish special programs to target and promote the entry of students from certain groups that are recognised by the University as disadvantaged in relation to access to, and participation in, University programs. (See Appendix 4.)
13. The University may, from time to time, establish a range of measures to provide recognition of forms of prior learning which are often not effectively recognised by merit-based university entry qualifying requirements, as follows:
14. The University may determine not to make any offers for a program should there be insufficient applicants.
15. The University reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission, where the offer was made in error, was based on incomplete or incorrect information, where a program is no longer offered, or where an applicant fails to meet the legislative requirements for student registration for the specific program.
16.1 The University's minimum entry requirements for Undergraduate Bachelors Degree and Associate Degrees are set out in Appendix 2.
16.2 Application for admission to an undergraduate program by local applicants must be made through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC), except where the Division has approved direct application to the University.
17.1 Through the University's load planning process, the number of places available will be determined in accordance with University, legislative and other government requirements. The quota determined through this process will be allocated across divisions and programs, in such a manner as to allow the University to meet its enrolment targets.
18.1 Within the quotas allocated to each program, the University will, for the purposes of ranking prospective students for selection, establish a series of standard sub-quotas. These will exist to ensure that applicants for entry with a particular form of qualification are only compared with, and compete with, other applicants with similar, comparable, or equivalent form of qualification. (See clause 11.)
18.2 Establishment of standard sub-quotas will accommodate the principles of access and equity, and recognition of prior learning through the recognition of a range of entry qualifications in addition to Year 12 qualifications or higher education qualifications, such as enabling or articulation program qualifications, VET or special admissions testing.
18.3 Sub-quotas only apply to undergraduate programs.
18.4 Standard sub-quotas are detailed in Appendix 4 of this policy, which will be maintained and modified as required by the Director: Student and Academic Services.
18.5 Applicants may only compete for entry in a University sub-quota if they meet the eligibility criteria for that sub-quota, as described in Appendix 4. Applicants may compete for entry in more than one sub-quota if they are eligible to do so, under the terms described in Appendix 4.
18.6 All undergraduate programs of the University have sub-quotas. Some specific programs may not include a particular sub-quota. Other programs may have program-specific sub-quotas. This may be the case where programs are required to guarantee positions to applicants with particular, tailored, bridging qualifications, or where certain groups of students are considered a priority to fill a given number of places in a particular program.
18.7 The sub-quotas that will apply to a given program will be determined as part of the program approval process, as approved by the Academic Board, and published in the program description. (See clause 4.)
18.8 The number of offers to applicants made by each Division within each sub-quota will be determined as part of the University's admissions cycles. Each admissions cycle encompasses a number of rounds of offer, and the decision on how many offers a Division will make within each sub-quota, for each round, will be made by the Division Manager. Decision making will be driven by a number of factors, including:
18.9 The University has created mechanisms to improve selection of students from particular equity groups (to enable them to compete within a standard entry category) by increasing the selection scores of students from that group by a defined margin. That score transformation will be coded into the admissions system, and administered automatically as part of the offer process.
18.10 Where the University's treatment of particular equity groups requires specific variations to be made on the basis of individual applications, the nature of these variations will be specified in Appendix 4 of this policy, which will be maintained and modified as required by the Director: Student and Academic Services. The appendix will detail the nature of the equity group to which the variation is available, and either detail or provide reference to guidelines for administering the variation.
19.1 The University's entry requirements for Masters Degrees and Coursework Professional Doctorates are set out in Appendix 2.
19.2 Selection will occur on the basis of academic merit. Divisions will determine appropriate methods for assessing applicants' comparative academic merit in accordance with the specific entry requirements of the program as determined through program approval.
19.3 The principles of Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied, where appropriate, in assessing entry requirements for postgraduate coursework degree programs.
19.4 Application for admission to a postgraduate coursework program is made through SATAC, except where the Division has approved direct application to the University.
20.1 Throughout this policy the term 'international' includes onshore, transnational and non-Australian residents who study externally from another country.
20.2 International applicants are admitted to the University on a tuition fee-paying basis.
20.3.1 Entry for international applicants is based on an applicant's demonstration of academic merit in accordance with the entry requirements of the program as determined through program approval.
20.4.1 International applicants, for whom English is a second language, must demonstrate a minimum standard of proficiency in the English language. This can either be through demonstrated proficiency through life experience (such as the completion of prior schooling or education in English, or in a country where English is widely used), or through the achievement of certain minimum results in a recognised English language proficiency test.
20.4.2 The University's English Language Proficiency requirements are set out in Appendix 3.
20.4.3 Academic Board will set appropriate minimum standards of prior education that must be met by applicants seeking to demonstrate proficiency in the English language through life experience. Where these are not met, an applicant must demonstrate proficiency through a test-based assessment of English language proficiency.
20.4.4 Academic Board will determine what English language proficiency tests are recognised, and set general, university-wide minimum requirements for eligibility.
20.4.5 Divisions will set specific English language proficiency requirements for a particular program, which cannot be below the University minima. UniSA International will determine how measures of English language proficiency are converted for equivalency.
20.4.6 Where a program uses a language other than English as the medium of instruction, English language proficiency requirements may not apply.
20.5.1 International coursework applicants are required to apply for admission directly to the University's International Office, or through one of the University's designated overseas representatives.
20.5.2 International applicants completing the Year 12 SACE or equivalent Australian qualification onshore, or undertaking the SACE in Malaysia or China, must apply through SATAC for admission to undergraduate programs.
20.6.1 From time to time, the University may offer assistance to target particular groups that would usually only be admitted as fee-paying international students. Such assistance will usually only be targeted at groups that, although ineligible for entry to a commonwealth-funded place on the grounds of residence or nationality, nonetheless constitute an important part of the local community.
20.6.2 Such assistance will usually take the form of scholarships provided for members of the particular target group. Where such scholarships are offered to international students, it is a requirement of Commonwealth guidelines issued by the Minister under legislative authority that the University must meet the full-fee cost that would otherwise be charged to such students. Such costs must be above the relevant mandated minimum fees for international students, and be designed to recover all economic costs associated with a student's enrolment including teaching, administration and capital facilities. It is a condition of universities' funding that this cost must not be met through Commonwealth funds provided for general operating purposes.
20.7.1 Admission for international applicants will take recognition of prior learning into account through the granting of credit, status, or exemption as appropriate, in accordance with the University's policy on Recognition of Prior Learning policy A-13.
20.8.1 To be eligible for entry, international applicants must meet one of the University's entry requirements specified in Appendix 3.
20.8.2 In addition to clause 21.8.1 above, international applicants must meet the minimum standards for English Language Proficiency, as set out in Appendix 3.
20.8.3 In accordance with the approved entry requirements of the program, Divisions will set the minimum Year 12 equivalent score requirements. These will be reviewed by Divisions on an annual basis, in conjunction with UniSA International.
20.8.4 Where prerequisite subjects of study are set for a particular program, including required achievement in a particular Year 12 equivalent subject, these prerequisites will be equivalent to those required from domestic undergraduate students seeking entry to that program.
20.9.1 Specific entry requirements for coursework postgraduate programs are set at the time of individual program approval. (See clause 3.) Entry requirements will be the same for domestic and international students.
20.9.2 To be eligible for entry, applicants must also meet minimum standards for English Language Proficiency, as set out in Appendix 3.
20.10.1 Where international applicants are required to demonstrate prior academic achievement in order to determine eligibility for entry to a program, this should be through presentation of a certified transcript of academic record from the educational institution previously attended.
20.10.2 Where academic transcripts are presented in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a translation. A statement verifying that the translation given is an accurate translation of the transcript must also be included. Such a statement must be notarised by an appropriate authority. An appropriate authority for these purposes includes:
21.1 Internal transfer enables a student admitted to, and enrolled in, a program of the University to apply for and be admitted to another program of the University at the same level or at a lower level, without needing to apply through the standard entry process, through direct entry or via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). (Internal transfer does not include Program transition which is the process whereby the University, as a result of an approved program change, determines that a transition arrangement is required.)
21.2 Applications for internal transfer will be allowed where:
21.3 The tuition fees or student contribution amounts payable by an internal transfer student for the new program will be charged at the rate applicable for other applicants commencing that program in that academic year. Students who transfer between programs internally, regardless of their continuing or commencing status for Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) reporting purposes, will be subject to the tuition fee or student contribution for the new program that has been determined and approved for that year. International students (and postgraduate fee-paying students where appropriate) will therefore not continue to be charged at the rate fixed at the commencement of their original program.
21.4 Where internal transfer is not available, students wishing to transfer programs will be required to apply through the designated application method (direct entry or through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre).
21.5 All students transferring internally will be considered to be continuing students, for both University and DEEWR reporting purposes.
21.6 International students studying in Australia on a student visa are advised to review their visa expiry date and ensure that both their visa and their University Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) document cover the period in which they will be enrolled in the new program. International students studying in Australia on a student visa can obtain information regarding their visa or CoE from Campus Central in the first instance, or from an International Student Officer in the Learning and Teaching Unit.
21.7 Undertaking courses from another program in anticipation of transfer will not guarantee transfer.
21.8 Applications for internal transfer, including transfer to a
lower level program, must be made to the appropriate Division on the
specified form, and lodged with Campus Central no later than two weeks
prior to the beginning of the relevant study period. Applications for
internal transfer into programs requiring student registration with a
registration board must be received no later than six weeks prior to the
beginning of the relevant study period. Approval of internal transfer is
conditional upon student registration being approved by the board.
Applications lodged after the cut-off date will not be processed until
the relevant study period for the next student intake.
In accordance with the principles of selection and entry to University programs, as stated in clause 1 of this policy, the following criteria provide a framework within which University selection and entry requirements are developed.
|
Criterion |
Description |
|
Impact |
Entry requirements
should maximise student choice in the
final years of secondary schooling and
as far as possible not restrict the
choice of university programs available
to the student. Entry requirements
should take into account the potential
impact on the secondary school
curriculum, retention in senior
secondary school and formal completion
of secondary school. |
|
Equity |
Entry requirements
should be equitable both at the
individual level as well as supporting
the University's equity objectives for a
diverse and representative student
population. They must ensure that
any given measure such as the
introduction of portfolios or school
recommendations does not introduce
biases into the process. |
|
Effectiveness |
Entry requirements
should enable the University to select
those students whose probability of
success in their chosen program is
highest. Equity measures and
alternative pathways must meet the needs
of the group targeted but ensure that
the university is selecting students for
whom artificial barriers to university
exist, rather than non-achievers. |
|
Efficiency |
Entry requirements
and their associated selection
mechanisms should require the minimum of
resources to operate and should be
scalable in terms of the size of the
cohort. |
|
Consistency |
All modes of entry
should be consistent with each other and
operate together to provide coherent
entry and selection requirements. |
|
Transparency |
The University's
entry requirements and selection
decisions should be readily understood
by the public. |
|
Longevity |
Entry requirements
should remain consistent over a number
of years. |
To be eligible for entry in an undergraduate program, applicants are required to have ONE of the following qualifications:
Completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements.
Completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma, obtaining a minimum score of 24 points and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements.
Completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements.
Completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements.
Completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements.
Qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements.
Completed the University Foundation Studies program or UniSA PAL.
Any other academic entry requirement approved for the relevant program.
[*] To be eligible for selection in 2012, applicants are required to have the following SACE qualifications:
Applicants are required to have ONE of the following:
Applicants are required to have ONE of the following:
Any other academic entry requirement approved for the relevant program.
Applicants are required to have ONE of the following:
A completed Graduate Certificate degree from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent.
Applicants are required to have ONE of the following:
Applicants are required to have ONE of the following:
1. All international students are expected to be proficient in written and spoken English comprehension and expression. Applicants must provide evidence of their English language proficiency with their application.
2. To satisfy the minimum level of English language proficiency, international applicants, who speak English as a foreign language, must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission as set out in clauses 2.1 and 2.2 below.
2.1 For admission into an undergraduate program:
a minimum reading and writing score of 6.0 and a minimum overall band score of 6.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test at a sitting in the twenty-four months preceding application for undergraduate programs[+]; or
a score of 80 or more, with no band less than 20, in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet based test OR 550 or more in the TOEFL paper based test, including a score of 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE), at a sitting in the twenty-four months preceding application[+]; or
a minimum grade of 'C' in the University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency (CPE) in English[+]; or
a minimum grade of 'C' in the University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)[+]; or
successful completion of the CELUSA Academic English Program at Level 4; or
successful completion of a secondary qualification in Australia within the last two years; or
successful completed of at least one year of tertiary study in Australia within the last two years; or
successful completion of a one year of secondary or tertiary study conducted and completed in English within the last two years in a country in which English is commonly used, as determined by the University[1].
[1] The University, through UniSA International, maintains a list of countries where English is commonly used and which would satisfy this criterion. This may include particular educational institutions within a given non-English speaking country where English is the language of instruction.
2.2 For admission into a postgraduate coursework program:
a minimum reading and writing score of 6.0 and a minimum overall band score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test at a sitting in the twenty-four months preceding application for undergraduate programs[+]; or
a score of 90 or more, with no band less than 21, in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet based test OR 577 or more in the TOEFL paper based test, including a score of 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE), at a sitting in the twenty-four months preceding application[+]; or
a minimum grade of 'C' in the University of Cambridges Certificate of Proficiency (CPE) in English[+]; or
a minimum grade of 'B' in the University of Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)[+]; or
successful completion of the CELUSA Academic English Program at Level 5; or
successful completion of a tertiary qualification at diploma level or above completed in Australia within the last two years; or
successful completion of at least two years of tertiary study at diploma level or above conducted and completed in English within the last five years in a country in which English is commonly used, as determined by the University.
Where the study in English was more than five years ago, this requirement may be satisfied by subsequent and recent work experience of at least two years duration in a setting where English is the language of business, subject to satisfactory evidence as determined by the University.
[+] Results from IELTS, TOEFL, CPE and CAE are valid for two years.
3. Some programs may specify higher English language entry requirements. These will be indicated in relevant program documentation, as approved by the Academic Board.
The standard sub-quotas used by the University to compare applicants with like qualifications for the purposes of selection to entry to Commonwealth supported undergraduate places at the University are as follows:
This sub-quota includes all year 12 qualifications and overseas equivalences. Applicants are ranked for selection on the basis of a Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
Restrictions are placed on the amount of study at higher education level that applicants can have undertaken, if they are to remain eligible to compete for entry to the University within the Year 12 sub-quota. Applicants who have studied for more than two years at higher education level are not eligible to compete for entry within the Year 12 sub-quota.
In order to be qualified to compete for entry to the University within the Year 12 sub-quota, applicants must have:
1.2.1 Qualified for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)[*]
1.2.2 Recorded achievement in 5 SACE subjects at stage 2 level
1.2.3 Included at least 4 approved Higher Education Selection Subjects
1.2.4 Obtained an achievement score of 10 or better in prerequisite subjects
OR
1.2.5 Qualified for the International Baccalaureate (IB)
1.2.6 Obtained a minimum IB score of 24 points
1.2.7 Fulfilled any prerequisite requirements
OR
1.2.8 Completed the equivalent interstate or overseas secondary education qualifications as required for entry under SACE.
1.2.9 Fulfilled any prerequisite requirements.
[*] To be eligible for selection in 2012, applicants are required to have the following SACE qualifications:
Selection is competitive, based on academic merit as measured by a Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). For applicants with a South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), the ATAR is calculated from their final SACE results. Scores achieved in overseas and interstate year 12 qualifications are converted to an equivalent ATAR.
The University will establish bonus point schemes, known as UniSA Advantage, to assist students who have been educationally disadvantaged in gaining access to undergraduate courses or programs [2].
[2] As of 2011, a maximum of 9 points will be available across all bonus point schemes.
This scheme allows students to receive bonus points for achievement in selected Year 12 subjects that the University believes will better prepare them for university study, and that are relevant to UniSA degree programs.
Bonus points are awarded automatically to applicants who have achieved a C grade or better in the nominated Year 12 SACE HESS General subjects (or interstate/IB equivalent) listed for each UniSA program.
Applicants will receive two bonus points for each subject completed up to a maximum of 5 bonus points.
The bonus points will be applied to the university aggregate as part of SATAC's normal application processing. The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) will then be adjusted accordingly. Neither the revised aggregate nor the revised ATAR will appear on SSABSA/SACE documentation. The calculations will be carried out by SATAC and the revised scores will be used for selection into UniSA programs only.
Bonus points are awarded by program.
The Aspire bonus scheme endeavours to compensate for the negative effect of educational disadvantage on students from low socio-economic backgrounds and from rural and/or isolated schools. It does this by increasing the scores of students from these backgrounds by a defined margin of bonus points.
Disadvantaged schools considered in this scheme are determined through a set of data for each secondary school relating to the number of students who complete year 12, qualify for a ATAR and go on to university. The University will review eligibility for the scheme each year. Once eligible, a school will remain in the scheme for at least 3 years. Where a school no longer meets the equity measures, the University will give the school one year's notice of removal from the scheme. If the school subsequently meets the equity measures again, it will be reinstated into the scheme.
Rural and isolated schools eligible for consideration in the scheme are as identified in the Country and Area Schools Program classification.
Students from nominated disadvantaged Schools and students from nominated rural and isolated schools will automatically receive 6 bonus points [3].
Students from nominated disadvantaged Schools eligible for either a School Card and/or a Youth Allowance card may receive up to 6 bonus points, allocated on assessment of their application.
Bonus points are added to the university aggregate and then automatically applied as part of SATAC's normal application processing. The ATAR will then be adjusted accordingly. Revised scores will only be used by SATAC in selection for eligible University of South Australia programs, and will not appear on external documentation (such as a SACE certificate).
[3] For the 2012 admission cycle into the Aspire bonus scheme:
1.5.1 Under the Portfolio Entry Scheme, for nominated programs, students may compete through the presentation of a portfolio based on their Year 12 studies and other experience. The portfolio will be assessed by the University.
1.5.2 Special individual variations may be made to selection and entry criteria for eligible Indigenous applicants, and for eligible applicants with a disability, within the Year 12 sub-quota. These will be assessed on an individual basis, and only occur in line with the individual equity variations set out in clause 6 of this appendix.
This sub-quota includes all students who have partly or fully completed tertiary programs from recognised universities, whether within the state, interstate or overseas, as well as recognised private provider articulation programs. Students are ranked for selection on the basis of a Grade Point Average. Priority will be given to applicants transferring from university members of the Australian Technology Network (ATN) where that transfer is within the same discipline.
In order to be qualified to compete for entry to the University within the Higher Education sub-quota, applicants must have:
2.2.1 Undertaken higher education level study, to the enrolment unit value of one semester of full-time study or more, at an Australian higher education institution. This means study at a University or equivalent (ie. college of advanced education, institute of technology or institute of higher education). Study may occur as part a university program leading to an award, or may be undertaken on a non-award basis. Higher education level studies at equivalent overseas institutions may also be recognised (as determined by SATAC).
OR
2.2.2 Completed at least 4 Open Universities Australia (OUA) subjects at AQF Diploma level, or above.
Applicants must also fulfill relevant program prerequisites.
2.3.1 Applicants will be eligible to compete within both Year 12 and Higher Education sub-quotas where Applicants have studied at higher education level for up to and including two years of equivalent full time study.
2.3.2 Applicants who have studied for more than two years at higher education level will only be eligible to compete within the Higher Education sub-quota.
2.4.1 Selection is competitive, based on academic merit as measured by Grade Point Average (GPA). GPAs are calculated by SATAC by assigning a value to each of an applicant's course grades. A GPA is calculated for each program in which an applicant has been enrolled. Values allocated to different grades are determined by the relevant institution's grading system. A Tertiary Rank is then calculated from the GPA.
2.4.2 Where an applicant has undertaken study in more than one program, the Tertiary Rank will usually be calculated on the basis of the applicant's best GPA. For specific courses, however, this will vary. The most common course specific variations are as follows:
For entrance to some programs, the rank will result from a combined GPA which includes the grades from courses in all programs undertaken.
For entrance to some programs, the rank will result from the GPA of a specific program related to that program to which the application for entry is made.
2.5.1 For some programs, an additional rule may exist to ensure that students from articulating programs which guarantee entry are selected (for example, applicants who have completed recognised diplomas and certificates that articulate with the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine are ranked at the top of the Higher Education sub-quota for that program).
2.5.2 Priority may be given to students transferring from universities within the Australian Technology Network who have studied a related program.
Special individual variations may be made to selection and entry criteria for eligible Indigenous applicants, and for eligible applicants with a disability, within the Higher Education sub-quota. These will be assessed on an individual basis, and only occur in line with the individual equity variations set out in clause 6 of this appendix.
This sub-quota includes all applicants who hold a completed award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV level or above. Due to competency based assessment within TAFE, ranking occurs on a block basis, with all applicants with a particular level of completed qualification given the same notional rank.
In order to be qualified to compete for entry to the University within the TAFE Transfer sub-quota, applicants must hold a completed award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV level or above.
Overseas vocational qualifications may also be considered for eligibility in the TAFE Transfer sub-quota. Eligibility of such qualifications will be determined by SATAC.
Applicants must also fulfill relevant program prerequisites.
Due to the use of competency based modes of assessment within TAFE, ranking of TAFE applicants cannot occur on the basis of scores achieved within a program of study. Instead, applicants are ranked by the level of award that they hold. Thus, all applicants with Certificate level IV have the same notional rank. Ranked above them are all candidates with diplomas, and ranked at the top are all candidates with Advanced Diplomas.
For some programs, an additional rule may exist to ensure that students from articulating programs receive a notional rank higher than the standard rank assigned for that level of the program.
Special individual variations may be made to selection and entry criteria for eligible Indigenous applicants, and for eligible applicants with a disability, within the TAFE Transfer sub-quota. These will be assessed on an individual basis, and only occur in line with the individual equity variations set out in clause 6 of this appendix.
4.1.1 This sub-quota exists to provide an alternate pathway into university for applicants who are over 18 years old and have not recently participated in higher education level study.
4.1.2 Applicants may apply for admission on the basis of skills gained through work and life experience. The University of South Australia's Special Entry pathway requires the completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Applicants may then further enhance their special entry application through the completion of either a Personal Competencies Statement or the submission of documentation relating to any employment experience or both.
4.1.3 Special Entry is NOT suitable for applicants completing senior secondary studies in the year of application to university study.
4.2.1 Some programs have particular prerequisite study requirements that cannot be adequately enforced through the Special Entry process. These programs, as a result, do not have a Special Entry sub-quota.
4.3.1 To be eligible to compete in the Special Entry sub-quota, applicants must:
be 18 years of age or over before 1 February; and
not have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the previous two years.
4.4.1 Applicants for Special Entry sub-quota must sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). The STAT is a multiple choice test designed to assess an applicant's level of ability in a number of skills that are important to successful study at TAFE or university, including the ability to think critically and to analyse material.
4.4.2 Selection is competitive, based on a selection rank produced from STAT scores. An applicant's score is placed in a percentile rank, measuring performance compared to others who have sat the STAT.
4.5.1 In some programs only, consideration will be given to personal competencies and/or employment experience. Where this is the case, selection scores will be varied accordingly.
4.5.2 Where personal competencies are considered, these will be based on a personal competencies statement by an applicant. SATAC will assess such statements where they are considered, and give each statement a rank in the score range of 0-99. Scores will be allocated according to each of six personal competencies criteria. Where personal competencies are considered, STAT results will be adjusted, and applicants will be ranked on the adjusted result. The weighting given to personal competencies ranking scores in performing this adjustment will vary for different programs.
4.5.3 Where employment experience is considered, this will be based on the level of an applicant's occupation and the period of their employment. This will be determined by the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) code, as used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Where employment experience is considered, STAT results will be adjusted, and applicants will be ranked on the adjusted result. The weighting given to employment experience ranking scores in performing this adjustment will vary for different programs.
4.6.1 Special individual variations may be made to selection and entry criteria for eligible Indigenous applicants, and for eligible applicants with a disability, within the Special Entry sub-quota. These will be assessed on an individual basis, and only occur in line with the individual equity variations set out in clause 6 of this appendix.
4.6.2 For the programs of Bachelor of Visual Arts (Specialisation) and Bachelor of Visual Communication, applicants who do not meet standard entry requirements may be considered for entry on an individual basis, where they are able to present a substantial portfolio of work. Their application will then be judged on the basis of the quality of this portfolio.
4.6.3 In special cases, where an individual who does not meet standard entry requirements has demonstrated significant professional achievement in a field directly relevant to that of the program to which entrance is sought, the Division may select an applicant for entry on the basis of this professional achievement. In such cases, the Division will determine suitability and competitiveness for selection, based upon an assessment of the quality and significance of the professional achievement.
This sub-quota includes all applicants who have undertaken a recognised access or enabling program in place of standard year 12 study. This includes applicants from all University of South Australia Enabling programs, UniSA-PAL applicants, and applicants from recognised enabling programs from other Australian universities.
The Enabling sub-quota includes all students who have partly or fully completed tertiary programs from recognised universities, whether within the state, interstate or overseas, as well as recognised private provider articulation programs. Students are ranked for selection on the basis of a Grade Point Average.
In order to be qualified to compete for entry to the University within the Enabling sub-quota, applicants must have completed a recognised enabling or tertiary preparation course of minimum six months duration.
Applicants must also fulfill relevant program prerequisites.
5.3.1 Applicants who have successfully completed the University's Foundation Studies programs or the Diploma of University Studies or UniSA-PAL program will receive a ranking score calculated from their Grade Point Average in that program and converted to an equivalent entrance rank between 71 and 100.
5.3.2 Applicants who have completed a one-year enabling program from another University will receive a enabling entrance rank of 70.
5.3.3 Applicants who have completed a half-year enabling program from another University will receive a enabling entrance rank of 65.
Special individual variations may be made to selection and entry criteria for eligible Indigenous applicants, and for eligible applicants with a disability, within the Special Entry sub-quota. These will be assessed on an individual basis, and only occur in line with the individual equity variations set out in clause 6 of this appendix.
Where an Indigenous applicant has a qualification that makes them eligible to compete for entry in one of the sub-quotas above, they will compete for entry through the process outlined above.
Where an Indigenous applicant:
Applicants invited to participate in the special entry process for Indigenous students will be asked to complete a range of assessment tasks determined by Indigenous Student Services. This may include the submission of a personal essay, and/or the undertaking of comprehension and numeracy testing. Indigenous Student Services will assess an applicant's eligibility on the basis of an applicant's performance in these tasks, and make a recommendation to the relevant Division in regard to an applicant's admission. All recommendations by Indigenous Student Services for admission will be provided to the Divisions, who will be responsible for managing the selection process.
Variations to standard entry are available for applicants with a disability.
These are set out in the University's Policy Students with disabilities C
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