Your unique path into uni

We value the wide range of skills that you can bring to UTS, so we want to support you to get here.

The U@Uni Academy is an alternate, non-ATAR entry pathway to study at UTS, exclusive to our U@Uni partner schools. It is offered free of charge.

The program runs for two years, starting at the beginning of Year 11. It provides a select cohort of students with university experiences, academic support, and opportunities to develop key capabilities that will give them an edge in university study and beyond.

Over the program, students take part in a variety of on-campus experiences and in-school mentoring and tutoring. These experiences will provide industry connections, enhance HSC studies, and help develop skills in areas like communication, critical thinking and innovation.

Upon successfully completing the program, participants will receive an offer into one of our undergraduate courses!

Participating students will keep track of their progress through an online portfolio - see further information below.

The program

Below explains each step of the two-year program:

Year 11

Orientation – Term 2, UTS

Students are welcomed onto campus and are given an opportunity to meet their mentors and UTS staff.

Winter School – July school holidays, UTS

Students are given a taste of what university is like with one week of on-campus workshops and activities.

Online module 1 – Term 3, online

Students explore UTS Canvas and new disciplines while working through online learning activities

Online module 2 – Term 4, online

Students dive deeper into new subject areas and explore cross-disciplinary approaches to problem solving.

Year 12

UniPrep: My story – Term 1, online

Students are introduced to the online UniPrep Hub and get a chance to explore their identity and post-school options.

Experience UTS Day – April school holidays, UTS

Students get to explore more of what UTS has to offer, with 30+ faculty workshops to choose from.

UniPrep: My uni – Term 2, online

Students engage with important tools and resources that are key to navigating through uni with confidence.

Experience UTS Day 2 – July school holidays, UTS

Students solidify their learnings from UniPrep through this one day on-campus experience.

UniPrep: My future – Term 3, online

Students revisit the skills and strategies they will take with them into their HSC exams, as well as learn about the social aspects of uni.

Graduation workshop – November, UTS

Students begin their final preparations for uni, with enrolment support, trouble shooting and opportunities for Q&A.

How to join

Applications are managed through each participating school (see list of partner schools). Applications open for Year 11 students of partner schools from around March each year. Please note that places are limited. Speak to your school to find out more.

U@Uni partner schools

  • Ashcroft High School       
  • Bankstown Girls High School
  • Bass High School                     
  • Belmore Boys High School     
  • Beverly Hills Girls High School             
  • Birrong Boys High School                         
  • Birrong Girls High School                           
  • Bonnyrigg High School                             
  • Cabramatta High School                           
  • Canley Vale High School                             
  • Chester Hill High School
  • Chifley College Senior Campus
  • Granville Boys High School
  • Fairfield High School
  • Fairvale High School
  • Holroyd High School
  • Liverpool Boys High School   
  • Liverpool Girls High School
  • Lurnea High School
  • Merrylands High School
  • Plumpton High School
  • Prairiewood High School
  • Punchbowl Boys High School     
  • Rooty Hill High School
  • Sir Joseph Banks High School
  • Strathfield South High School
  • Wiley Park Girls High School

U@Uni Academy graduation criteria

In order to successfully complete the U@Uni Academy and receive an offer to study at UTS through the program, students must:

  1. Successfully complete the HSC
    • Undertake HSC pattern of study (however, you don’t have to be on an ATAR pathway). See the NSW Education Standards Authority NESA Rules and Procedures Guide for HSC pattern of study requirements. Note that life skills courses are not considered eligible.
    • Sit all HSC exams, including optional exams for VET and category B subjects.
    • Pass the minimum standards exam.
  2. Attend 75% of all U@Uni Academy program activities
  3. Demonstrate achievement and progress through the U@Uni Academy experience. This involves online submissions demonstrating achievements in capabilities such as collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Specific online submission requirements will be communicated during the program.
  4. Complete a personal statement. At the end of the two years we want you to tell us what you learned while in the Academy, and what your aspirations are for university. Completing this personal statement is included as part of the U@Uni Academy process, and assistance will be provided to students in putting this together.

Frequently asked questions

Do student still need at ATAR?

We know that ATAR isn't everything when it comes to achieving at UTS, and the value that students bring to our community. So, we look beyond this mark and use other criteria to assess potential. 

Do participants really get direct entry to study at UTS and which courses can they study?

Everyone who completes the U@Uni Academy and fulfills the above criteria will receive an offer to study at UTS. They will be able to select preferences for the courses they are most interested in.

Participants can apply for all UTS undergraduate courses, excluding those with special admission requirements. For courses that have their own special admission requirements you would need to meet the requirements of the course to be considered for entry e.g. Apply through UAC and meet the selection rank. Courses with special admission requirements that are excluded include: Bachelor of Accounting (Co-op), Bachelor of Information Technology (Co-op), Bachelor of Computing Science (C10476), and Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science (Sports & Exercise Therapy Major).

Note that some courses are competitive and places may be limited. Entry to competitive degrees is determined based on your academic results in U@Uni Academy program and your personal statement.

Students who apply for ineligible or competitive double/combined awards may receive an alternative offer to an eligible single award course.

Who can join the U@Uni Academy?

The Academy is available exclusively for students of UTS U@Uni partner schools (see list on this page). Program intake takes place from around March, for Year 11 students, and is organised through the schools. If you are a Year 11 student at one of the partner schools and would like to join the program, speak to your year coordinator.

Does it cost anything?

No. Participation in the U@Uni Academy is offered free of charge by UTS.

Are there other access pathways to study at UTS?

Yes. UTS has several entry schemes to ensure that students from the widest range of backgrounds have an opportunity to access our courses.

What if a student can’t make it to one of the scheduled sessions (e.g., a workshop or tutoring)?

There are minimum attendance requirements in the U@Uni Academy. If you have unforeseen circumstances and you cannot attend session/s, please contact us and let us know. You may need to provide evidence like a medical certificate if you are unwell. Note that absences will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

What courses does UTS have?

With 11 faculties and over 200 degrees on offer, there are lots of courses to choose from. Explore UTS's undergraduate courses.

Do U@Uni Academy students have to go to UTS?

The U@Uni Academy will only provide you with a place at UTS. However, you may choose to apply for other universities instead, or maybe you decide that uni isn’t for you. Whatever your personal goals, we support you pursuing them.

For those who choose to come to UTS, we welcome you and hope you feel at home as a member of our student community!

Can I change my U@Uni Academy awarded offer?

Current UTS students who entered via the U@Uni Academy program and wish to change from one course at UTS to another course at UTS, may be eligible to apply for the new course via the U@Uni Academy pathway. Students must meet specific U@Uni Academy criteria to be considered for an offer to a new course via the U@Uni Academy pathway.

Students can only apply for a course change once via the U@Uni Academy pathway and it is considered on a case-by-case basis.