Schools Recommendation Scheme
Our Schools Recommendation Scheme is aimed at helping Year 12 students gain entry into university when their ATAR alone may not be sufficient. It seeks to recognise students for other skills and achievements outside their performance in Year 12, including their overall suitability for tertiary study, based on a recommendation from their school principal (or careers advisor).
Our focus is on supporting students who have the potential to succeed at university, but may not receive an offer based on their ATAR alone. Applicants must first be eligible for socio-economic disadvantage, school environment or financial hardship under our inpUTS scheme.
We welcome students who have successfully completed a Big Picture Learning Australia Portfolio to also apply through our UTS SRS application process.
Eligibility
To apply:
- you need to be a current Year 12 student and have applied for undergraduate study through Universities Admission Centre (UAC) - applications for Autumn 2025 close on 16 September 2024
- you need to be an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident of Australia (including a holder of an Australian permanent resident humanitarian visa)
- For EAS applicants: you need to have claimed and be assessed as eligible for one or more of the following types of disadvantages via an UAC EAS application:
- Socio-economic disadvantage (AG01/AG02)
- School environment
- Financial hardship (F01A, F01B, F01C, F01D)
- For Big Picture Learning Australia (BPLA) applicants: You must successfully complete your Big Picture Learning Australia Portfolio.
In addition to the above:
- your school principal (or careers advisor) should rate your SRS application; and
- you must have a UTS preference included within your UAC application by 1 November 2024
- you must achieve an minimum ATAR of 69 (80 for Law) entry. (*not applicable for BPLA applicants)
- BPLA applicants must advise the Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion by email access.schemes@uts.edu.au when your application for study has been submitted.
How to apply
1. Submit your application to study through UAC
All applicants must submit an application via UAC to be considered for the Schools Recommendation Scheme.
If you are a Big Picture Learning Australia (BPLA) applicant, you must also advise UTS by email via access.schemes@uts.edu.au when you have submitted your UAC application for study.
2.Submit an EAS application through UAC
For socio-economic disadvantage (AG01 and AG02) and School environment you do not need to submit an EAS application as UAC automatically generate an electronic application for you - you must submit an EAS application for claims of Financial disadvantage.
3.Submit an SRS application through UAC
Applications closed on 16 September 2024.
SRS offers
SRS Unconditional offers
UTS will make a limited number of unconditional (guaranteed) SRS offers to applicants that meet the SRS eligibility based on Year 11 studies. Unconditional offers are made on Friday 8 November 2024.
SRS Conditional offers
Conditional offers are made on Friday 8 November 2024. These offers will become unconditional (full) offers following the ATAR release and meeting the minimum ATAR requirement, and any other conditions specified. Full offers will be released to eligible students on Thursday 19 December 2024.
SRS Equity stream offers will be made to your highest eligible preference to UTS.
If eligible applicants exceed positions available, we will finalise offers based on ATAR and school feedback.
Support
When starting at UTS, tailored support programs are offered to all SRS students to make the transition to university easier.
SRS students can also consider applying for one of the many scholarships that we offer. Over 1000 scholarship offers are made to students on an annual basis, providing payment which can support any personal or study costs you have while studying with us. For more information about applying visit our scholarships page.
If you have questions about any SRS Equity Stream, please contact the Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion on 02 9514 1084 or by email access.schemes@uts.edu.au
Bridget Tyma – Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Science in IT
SRS Equity stream student
During high school, Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student Bridget Tyma worked hard and achieved good results. But when it came to Year 12 a family situation threw her study plans off track. It was Tyma’s school careers coordinator who introduced her to the Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS). Even before sitting their first HSC exam, eligible Year 12 students can ask their high school to endorse their SRS application.
Tyma says UTS continued to support her as an SRS student into her first year of uni. "I want to remind students that no matter your situation, there are so many ways to get into the uni of your dreams. Don't let anything stop you from getting there."