Your child is applying for university. What do you need to know?

Good evening everyone and welcome to the applying to UTS event. My name is Alex and I'll be guiding you through tonight's panel discussion with our lovely guest speakers. After that, we'll
0:11 move into a Q&A where you can ask any of your questions about UTS or UAC and then we'll conclude tonight's event with a Q&A.
0:20 This session is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and real world insight into the UAC process. not just from the admissions experts, but also
0:28 from those who have experienced it firsthand. I'm joined by our three panelists. Fiona, a parent currently going through the UAC process and also a
0:37 representative of UTS college. Heidi, a Bachelor of Communications and BCI student here at UTS, and Luciana from
0:44 the UTS admissions team. Before we dive in, I would like to acknowledge the Gatagle people, the Buru Barangal people of the Darag nation, the Bijidal people,
0:53 and the Gamayal people upon whose ancestral lands our university stands.
0:58 We would also like to pay respects to the elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge of these lands.
1:06 To start us off, let's ground ourselves in the basics. For the admissions team, could you give us a simple overview of the UAC process and what families should expect as they move through it? Sure.
1:16 So, all domestic undergraduate applications are submitted through UWAC.
1:20 You'll need to complete the online application and include all your studies in the qualification section, whether they're complete or incomplete. If
1:29 you're currently in year12, make sure you enter your NESA or a relevant state student number so your results can be
1:35 sent directly to UAC. You can choose up to five course preferences across different universities and we do
1:43 recommend that you use it all five of the preferences. Don't worry if you change your mind later because you can update your preferences at any time.
1:52 Once you've submitted and paid for the application, keep an eye on your emails in case UAC asks for any additional document. It's also worth checking which entry schemes you may be eligible for.
2:04 Some are submitted through UWAC while others require a direct application to UTS. So have a look at our website for
2:11 more information and most importantly try to apply early. You may be able to access the early bird discount and
2:19 you'll also have more time to prepare and apply for entry schemes that could improve your chances of receiving an offer. Thank you. That's a great foundation.
2:28 So, building on that, how should students think about ordering their preferences and how flexible is it throughout the application period?
2:35 Um, a great way to think about your course preference list is as your wish list. But the course you most want to
2:42 study first, followed by your next preferred options. For your fourth and fifth preferences, it's a good idea to include some safe choices with lower selection rank requirements as backups.
2:54 Each offer round has a change of preference deadline. Once that deadline passes, your preferences are locked until offers are released for that
3:02 round. After the round is finished, you can change them again for the next round. If you haven't received an offer
3:09 by January round one, it may be worth reviewing your list and adding courses with lower selection rank requirements.
3:16 It's important to remember that you can only receive one offer per offer round.
3:21 And if you already received an offer but want to be considered for another course in the next round, you'll need to move that offered course lower or remove it
3:30 before the next change of preference deadline. Otherwise, if it stays as your highest allegible preference, it may prevent you from receiving another offer.
3:39 One thing we often hear from families is concern about making the wrong choice.
3:43 How important is it for students to have their future careers mapped out before choosing a course? And how would you advise students who aren't sure exactly what they want to do?
3:52 So, you don't need to have your entire career mapped out before choosing a course. It really depends on what you want to do. Some careers such as
4:01 physiootherapy have specific degree requirements and some courses such as the Bachelor of Accounting are offered
4:08 only to recent school levers. So, it's worth researching those options early.
4:13 If you're not sure what you want to study, that's completely normal. Attend open days, info days, and information
4:20 sessions, ask questions, and explore different courses. You can also include courses from different study areas in
4:27 your UAC preferences to receive multiple offers, so you have the flexibility of choice when it comes to deciding which course to enroll in. If your interests
4:36 change after you start studying, you can apply through UA to transfer to another course. You can make the best choice with the information that you have now,
4:45 knowing that there are other options. if your plans change.
4:49 Now that we've covered the mechanics, I'd like to bring in the parent perspective. Fiona, what's the most constructive role parents and carers can
4:57 play when their child is choosing a course?
5:01 Yeah, look, I think for me with my son, um, a big component just like you said was exploring open days where they can
5:09 get the vibe of the university and I think that's been really crucial. um sometime I mean you know I've been
5:16 dragging him along since year 10 to go to the to the UTS open days but it's been great because it really gives him a sense of u even though they're sort of a
5:26 bit unccommunicative when they're at the open day especially when they're younger but it it really does give them a sense of what they want to do and and
5:34 beginning and I I've noticed as he's getting older he's more engaged with the academics asking them better questions rather than me sort of asking all the
5:41 questions but that's been really crucial I think it's exploring face to face um the program.
5:47 Nice. And Fiona, are there any misconceptions or surprises about the university application process that you've encountered while supporting them through it?
5:56 I think it's it's funny for me because I work at UTS College, so I thought, yeah, you know, I've got this nailed. But it is it's it is complex because every year
6:04 it seems to change. So it is it can be overwhelming and to help them because they're overwhelmed anyway with all
6:11 their studies. So, I think uh that even surprised me that I'm still confused uh about the uni process.
6:18 Nice. And of course, waiting for offers each round can be tough. What's your advice to families navigating the stress and uncertainty? What has been your
6:26 experience with Well, I've got that coming up. So, my son's in year 12 right now, so he's, you know, a week away from finishing school.
6:34 So, how I'm planning to to negotiate that is is having options ready. So, and you know, like what you were saying, and I thought that was very interesting
6:43 because we're halfway through our UAC form, too. So, I'm paying attention. Um, but yeah, it's holding the space for him. Um, and really and it's having
6:52 those backup plans because when they do get overwhelmed that I've got, you know, plan A, plan B, plan C lined up for him.
7:00 Nice. And now, let's shift to the student voice. Uh, always one of the most valuable parts of these sessions.
7:05 Heidi, looking back at year 12, what's one piece of advice you'd give to students about balance balancing HSC exams, U applications, and all the sort of excitement surrounding uni?
7:15 Um, yeah. So, the biggest piece of advice that I'd give is like has said has been said previously is just know that you don't have to have it all
7:23 figured out straight away. You don't need to have your whole career like map planned out or anything. Um, I definitely didn't know what I wanted to do with my career when I was in year 12.
7:31 I knew that I was creative. I loved storytelling. I loved all my humanities subjects and that's why I chose communications because I had that passion and interest, but I did not know
7:40 what specific role I wanted to go in or anything like that. Um, I feel like there's a lot of pressure to, you know, know what you want to do. Um, which most
7:47 of the time is self-inflicted by year 12s themselves. Um, you know, our peers, our parents, um, would tell us, you know, you don't have to have it figured
7:54 out. It's going to be okay. Like at my age, I didn't have it figured out, but in my head, I just didn't believe that.
8:01 Um, now being in my third year, I can with my chest say that that is true. You do not have to know in year 12. You're 17, 18 years old. Um, you're not
8:09 expected to know. And I think that you just need to really, you know, you're bouncing so many things. You act, you know, enjoying the rest of your 12 with
8:16 your mates. Um, the exams of course and just enjoy it while while it lasts. Be in the present and you can figure all of
8:23 that stuff later. Um, so yeah, that's my biggest piece of advice.
8:27 Nice. And um what type of things made you feel supported throughout the journey that your parents could do and what potentially other parents could implement with their children?
8:35 Yeah. Um I just think that having my parents or older people that I could talk to just reminding me that it's okay if I didn't get the mark that I wanted
8:44 or you know just checking in how I'm doing physically and socially and emotionally rather than like what mark did you get, where are you ranked? um
8:51 that can really add to the pressure. And I think just really checking in with your children, seeing how they're actually going emotionally because it
8:59 can be such a stressful time. Like my sister's in year 12 now and she's really stressed out. You know, she's anxious before exams and you know, she can snap,
9:07 she can get frustrated. And you know, just being able to tell her and remind her that it's okay to feel like that um was really a great thing that my parents
9:14 did as well and any older friends did with me as well that just helped me stay in the correct kind of mindset and remind myself that a number doesn't
9:22 define my intelligence and like an ATR number. Um so yeah, that's what I'd say for parents to implement with their children.
9:29 Awesome. And what made you end up choosing UTS? Like what were some of the things you thought about when choosing the uni and your course?
9:35 Yeah, definitely um the overall vibe. So I would go to the open days and everything and I saw UTS as a really future focused and practical uni
9:43 compared to some other choices I might have gone with. Um you know walking on campus and talking to some of the current you know um students really
9:51 helped me see that at this uni I would be able to do things that really related to the real world. Um seeing all the industry partnerships that would happen
9:59 in my course and seeing how creative I could get with it um was a really big factor in choosing this uni. um specifically because of what they could
10:08 offer and how they're a young uni and they're really future focused. Yeah.
10:12 Nice. And once you arrived at UTS, what surprised you the most about starting uni? That could be academically or socially.
10:19 Okay. Um I think that what surprised me the most is I already had sort of idea that I would have to be super independent in my uni studies. Um but
10:27 when I got here, I realized that that was yeah really true. You don't have a teacher to hold your hand um along the way. You do have tutors that will be
10:35 super helpful of course, but most of the time the work will be entirely on you.
10:39 You have to map out your schedule. You have to organize your time and be really on top of it to, you know, stay academically consistent, which is also
10:47 super exciting being able to create my own schedule when I come in, what times I dedicate to doing work and, you know, hang out with friends from uni and
10:55 things like that. Um, another thing is that what I'm studying I'm so passionate about because in school or in just
11:02 regular high school and stuff, there'd be those subjects where I'd kind of dread going to at UTS, I haven't had any of those subjects because I'm truly
11:10 passionate and interested about what I study. And I think that also tutors and the way the courses are designed give you a lot of freedom to actually, you
11:19 know, choose projects and get yourself involved in projects with things that you're actually aligned with and interested in. Um, so yeah, I think that
11:26 those were my biggest, you know, good surprises about going to uni is just the independence and the ability to work on things that I'm really proud of and can
11:34 add to a portfolio and bring into my career. Yeah, that's great. Makes total sense.
11:39 Um, now let's return to admissions for some of the most common questions we hear all the time from families. Um, Luciana, many families are concerned
11:46 about missing key dates. What are the most important deadlines or milestone applications, sorry, or milestones applicants should keep an eye on through the UAC process?
11:56 Yes, so definitely recommend downloading UX key date documents and add the dates that apply to you in your calendar. Uh
12:03 there are separate versions for E12 and non E12 applicants and it has dates such as the document submission dates and the
12:11 change of preferences deadline for each offer round. The early bird discount ends on the 30th of September. So, make
12:18 sure to take advantage of that. Um, at the latest, you should be applying by the 26th of November to make sure you're
12:26 considered for December round two, which is the main round for year 12 students.
12:31 It's also a good idea to check the UTS entry scheme page early and note any closing dates for any schemes that you'll be interested in. Um the deadlines vary from October to January.
12:43 So start preparing those supporting documents and apply as soon as you can.
12:48 Um if you're preparing to apply for 2028, keep in mind that the school recommendation scheme and the industry
12:55 degree academic cadetship courses have deadlines in September.
13:00 [sighs and gasps]
13:00 Um and once you've received an offer, check the deadline for accepting your offer on the offer acceptance page. Some
13:08 competitive courses u may have earlier acceptance deadlines. Um another date that we get asked a lot is the deferral
13:17 date. So the date to defer your offer may be earlier than your offer acceptance date. So it's important to also check that on the UTS website.
13:27 Nice. And one question we get a lot is how does UTS determine selection ranks and what influences whether a student receives an offer?
13:36 Yes. So the lower selection rank uh required for a course is influenced by supply and demand. So the more popular
13:44 the course um they're more likely to have a higher selection rank requirement. UTS publishes the lower
13:51 selection rank from previous intage on each course page which can then be used as a guide when you're applying for 2027.
13:59 So the offers are made competitively and based on your preference order. UAC will consider your selection rank and work down your preference list. If you're
14:08 ellegible, you'll receive an offer to your highest eligible preference in that offer round. For E12 students, your selection rank is based on your ATA or
14:17 IB or equivalent score together with any adjustment points that you receive through allegible entry schemes. And if
14:26 you've completed studies after year 12 such as university or a diploma, then UTS may consider the qualification that
14:34 gives you the highest eligible selection rank. So it's important to also check the requirements for incomplete studies because they can vary between faculties.
14:44 Um so check the domestic undergraduate eligibility page for more information.
14:49 Nice. And what are some things students can do to improve their selection rank aside from their performance in exams and assessments?
14:56 So have a look at the UTS entry schemes to see whether you may be eligible for adjustment points. There are schemes that consider your performance in
15:05 relevant E12 subjects as well as your interest and experience in areas such as design, architecture, engineering, IT,
15:13 science, and music and design. Other schemes also take into account educational or financial disadvantages
15:21 and recognize elite athletes and performers. If you're eligible, adjustment points can be added to your selection rank and may help you qualify for your preferred course.
15:31 Awesome. And for students who don't receive an offer for their first preference, what pathways are available for students who don't meet the
15:38 selection rank for their preferred course?
15:41 Uh yeah. So if your selection rank isn't high enough for your preferred course or you don't meet the UTS minimum
15:49 admissions requirements, there's still several pathway options available. One option to is to start a different course
15:56 at UTS or in the case of you're not meeting the minimum admissions requirements for UTS then choose a course at another institution and apply
16:06 again later. We generally uh recommend completing at least half a year full-time equivalent study which is
16:13 typically for standard subjects. Um if you didn't previously meet the minimum admissions requirements for UTS then
16:21 you'll need to complete one year of full-time equivalent study. And keep in mind that this is based on the number of
16:28 credit points completed rather than the calendar year. You could also complete a diploma through TA, another vocational
16:36 educational provider or UTS college. Um, UTS college offers guaranteed entry pathway into UTS courses if you achieve
16:44 the required GPA. Other options also include completed uh tertiary preparation course or sitting for the
16:53 stat test also known as the skills for tertiary admissions test. Aboriginal and tourist rate alert the applicant and
17:01 applicants who have experienced financial disadvantage can also look for the Jambana admissions program and the fee free uni ready enabling program
17:10 and Fiona did you want to add anything from UTS college on that?
17:13 Yeah I think um and like I was saying it was about options and um and I think with UTS college it's it's how to start
17:22 that first year of university um strongly. So, uh, it's a great it's a it's a small college. It's small classes
17:30 and it really sets students up for success. So, like you were saying, you come into being a really independent learner. UTS college is for those
17:38 students that kind of they they're struggling, they might be struggling or they've taken a couple years off or they didn't get their ATAR, so they do their
17:45 first year with us uh and doing that diploma and then um most of our diplomas will get you a gu guaranteed spot into
17:52 the second year of university. but it's got all that fantastic support um that tailored support and that's more of the personal experience. So some students
18:00 need that extra hand with that independent study uh and it really helps them transition and set them up for success. So um we we do a 12-month uh
18:10 diploma, it's a higher education diploma or an eight-month one. So sometimes our design students, they want to sort of accelerate their learning and they can sort of keep up with their friends as
18:18 well. So, um, but it's a it's a great way to start strong first year, then you go into second or third year, depending on the diploma and the, um, and the, uh, the major you're doing.
18:29 Awesome. So, to wrap up our discussion, I'd like to hear from each of you. So, what's one thing you wish you had known before applying or something you'd pass
18:37 on to future applicants and their family? Maybe we'll start with you.
18:41 Yeah. Um, one thing that I would advise is to just if you're not quite sure where you want to go or you're not quite sure what course you want to do, you
18:48 have multiple in mind, like been said, put your one that you want the most at the top and just even if you're not sure that you're even going to uni yet, just
18:55 put them in while you can because you don't want the offers to come out and then you miss out on that or anything.
19:00 Um, but also, yeah, just keep in mind that there's so many pathways into uni.
19:04 You don't have to go straight in. You can go to UTS college, you can do a vocational course, you know, you can take a gap year and figure things out.
19:10 Um, so yeah, that's my biggest piece of advice. Yeah, I think mine mine's similar because I think as parents, we didn't have those
19:18 options when we were doing HSC. So, I think for a lot of us, it's very new and we don't realize that. So, um, yeah, it's it's having those different
19:26 pathways there ready for your your your child and holding that space for them when they've been grumpy.
19:33 Um, but yeah, no, it's just yeah, holding the space for them and keeping calm and having that ready for them.
19:39 Yeah, I mean from the admissions perspective definitely it's also very similar uh to what the ladies have shared so far. Um having different
19:48 options, putting different course preferences. Um yeah, definitely go for your dream course, but also put a few
19:55 backup courses just in case you don't get that one course straight away. Um, my main advice would also be exploring
20:03 the entry schemes that are available and apply as early as you can because some deadlines can be as early as September.
20:11 So, make sure you don't miss out on any adjustment points that you may be ellegible for. And just it's not the end of the world if you don't receive the
20:19 offer you want straight away. There's so many different pathways and you can still transfer into your preferred course after completing other studies.
20:28 Awesome. Thank you all for the chat.
20:30 It's been super insightful and I hope everyone watching got a lot out of the discussion.